i need help on how to start

[Aces_21]

im about to graduate this April and im thinking of working in a call center... but i dont have any idea on how to start, how's the interview, what to bring and wear, where to go and all...

u guys might think that im stupid but i just want to be prepared, this is my first time apply for a job...
do i have to bring my OTR?
how long should i wait to know if i passed or failed?
do i really need to have perfect english? my english grammar isnt perfect.
whats the usual range of salary for a stater like me?
what benefits should i expect (meal, HMO, transpo)?
Can i choose my sched?
Is there a signing bonus?
if u were me? where will you go? Dell? convergys? etelecare? waaaaaaaah.... pls help me..

[hbnow]

A. Create a resume in

>jobstreet.com
>jobsdb.com

then apply to call center positions available.

B. Apply to headhunters (for assistance as well as exposure in how the hiring process is being done):

>JobStreet JobSelect
>Teledevelopment Philippines
>3i
>C-Cubed

*do i have to bring my OTR?
I am an undergrad, so I do not know. But we certainly can apply so this is probably not a requirement.

*how long should i wait to know if i passed or failed?
there are companies which hire within a single day. some, in two days (tests and initial interview in the first day, final interview the next)

*do i really need to have perfect english?
knowledge in grammar is necessary during the assessment phase (tests), in the interviews it's how you say it (enunciation) that counts.

*whats the usual range of salary for a stater like me?
dont give an exact amount, instead quote a range: P14,000-P18,000

*what benefits should i expect (meal, HMO, transpo)?
no idea on this one, im yet to sign my employment contract with peoplesupport.

*can i choose my sched?
i think you must give full priority to your work first. amenability to shifting schedule is a must, so im guessing not.

*is there a signing bonus?
from what i heard, it is just companies' way to lure applicants. the moment you get hired, the bonus is "for another account" pala. :P

if u were me? where will you go?
*in my case i had zero problems with Sykes, People Support as well as HSBC's application process. They make you take a test first, so by the time you get interviewed, you are already confident of your abilities.

[spidervein]

im about to graduate this April and im thinking of working in a call center... but i dont have any idea on how to start, how's the interview, what to bring and wear, where to go and all...

u guys might think that im stupid but i just want to be prepared, this is my first time apply for a job...
do i have to bring my OTR?
how long should i wait to know if i passed or failed?
do i really need to have perfect english? my english grammar isnt perfect.
whats the usual range of salary for a stater like me?
what benefits should i expect (meal, HMO, transpo)?
Can i choose my sched?
Is there a signing bonus?
if u were me? where will you go? Dell? convergys? etelecare? waaaaaaaah.... pls help me..

What to bring: copies of your resume / CV

What to wear: business casual is a safe bet (slacks/collared button-down shirts)

Where to go: you can either 1) walk in directly to the call center's office (may be faster for those who process walk-in applications) or 2) walk-in to a headhunters' office (3i, john clements, staffright solutions) --> they can match you to prospective call center employers; they know where there is a demand

do i have to bring my OTR? - you can if you want to play safe, but usually, this is requested after you have signed the job offer na. i think this depends on the company also

how long should i wait to know if i passed or failed? - there are usually several stages: a written exam, an oral assessment, initial and final interviews. some callcenters do one-day processing, but expect to spend most of the day there. other call centers may ask you to come back another day if you make it to the next step

do i really need to have perfect english? my english grammar isnt perfect. - not really perfect, but you should at least have knowledge of basic english grammar, esp. subject-verb agreement, tenses, etc.; diction, intonation, and enunciation also matter!

whats the usual range of salary for a stater like me? - i would say around 12k - 15k for fresh grads / no call center experience.

what benefits should i expect (meal, HMO, transpo)? - most of the better call centers offer meal and transpo allowance, night differential/hazard pay for the night shift; HMO benefits usually upon regularization (after 6 months)

Can i choose my sched? - NO. in the call center industry, schedule flexibility is key. that's part of the 'package.' if you dont see yourself working odd hours or weekends and probably holidays, then choose another career. really, you wont be happy if you're not willing to give up your 'normal' sched

Is there a signing bonus? - i think some callcenters offer this on a periodic, promotional basis. this is not a standard offer

if u were me? where will you go? Dell? convergys? etelecare? - where are you from / where do you live? i would go somewhere accessible, not very far from where you live. also, what are your priorities? is it the pay? the training / personal & professional development? work environment? ask around and read the call center forums.

some of the better centers out there, IMO : HSBC, convergys, people support, jpmorganchase

good luck!*okay*

[pUrplE_tOUngE]

wow! this is great :) thanks ACES_21 for starting this thread... this will help a lot of people..

[angelica0707]

How to start
- you may follow the above suggestions. You may also try to apply at John Clements - LKG Tower.
- applying thru placement companies will prepare you for the actual interview of the company.

do i have to bring my OTR?
-Not necessarily. In case you pass, they'll ask you to submit this before joining them.

how long should i wait to know if i passed or failed?
-a day, longest is a week. depends on the account and on the company.

do i really need to have perfect english? my english grammar isnt perfect.
- as long as you know how to correct your english immediately (during the interview). Example instead of using is, you used "are" correct it if you can. I would suggest that you practice speaking in front of the mirror. Often, questions posted are not the regular interview questions. They would often ask you about your day or give you a situation and how you will handle it. These are impromptu questions that would assess how fast you think and how fluent you are in the english language.

whats the usual range of salary for a stater like me?
-12-14K dont expect for more.

what benefits should i expect (meal, HMO, transpo)?
-it depends on the company. HMO is guaranteed for multinational companies upon regularization + group life insurance.
- Meal and transpo usually varies.
- Night Differentail also varies
- Yearly Increases - depends on the company

Can i choose my sched?
-Often, NO.

Is there a signing bonus?
-Not all companies offer this. If there's a signing bonus, expect a bond too.

if u were me? where will you go? Dell? convergys? etelecare?
-it depends on your qualifications. IF your a techy guy, go for Dell, etelecare, sykes, PS and convergys...
-If not, go for sykes, PS, convergys, sutherland. I believe sutherland hires fresh graduates.
-If you think you can do sales, i would suggest try VXI and ICT.
-If you are a finance guy, try JP Morgan

Hope this helps...PM me if you need help or send me your resume at angelica0707(at)yahoo(dot)com

I can review your resume or I may help you forward your resume to some of my contacts.

[stepehenyan@12]

What to bring: Copies of Resume and a lot of Self-Confidence.

What to expect: computer exam simulation, group interview, final interview and as much as possible try to look the interviewer eye to eye that way the hr would know that you are interested in the account. If you fail the interview the interviewer would say that they would call you or He or She has to asses you scores yeah right!

how much: It depends on the account ranging from 12k-18k.

English Grammar is very important in this business how in god's name will the customer understand you.

What you need to Know: there's INBOUND AND OUTBOUND

Inbound-the customer calls you because they have a problem and they want you to solve the problem.

Outbound- You call the customer because you are selling something or maybe your conducting a survey.

the training would consist of comm skills or accent traing usually 2 weeks or 1 week. after the comm skills you will proceed to product training this is what i call the REAL DEAL chances are if you did not meet the requirements of the client you will be removed from the account make no mistake about it.

[hbnow]

Hey Aces_21, 2 years ka na rin ba sa CC like me? Hehe.

[blue_sapphire21]

:)

bring lots and lots and lots and LOTS of English!!! :rotflmao:
forget your tagalog just for.. .. awhile.. ;) coz even guards would ask you in english.. :naughty:

Godbless you!