Introduction to Working at a Canadian Call Center

First, land the job. Applying to one is no problem. Research the call center you're going to and see if you can find entrance tests that were leaked online. I found three for the one I applied to. Once you've found them, you'll find that they're either ridiculously easy or relatively hard. That's up to you and your experience. Memorize what you feel is necessary and take the test.

The interview is simple. Do you have a high school diploma or equivalent? Can you communicate in grunts with sparse words peppered into a conversation? Then you're hired.

Training: This is usually paid training which will focus on soft-skills, technical skills and time management. It will be conducted in a manner unlike the military employs; slow, boring and designed for children. This stands to reason as people still manage to fail training. Most of the time you'll get a trainer who speaks in a monotone voice that sounds like Ben Stein.

Some of the people you'll encounter in a call center:

First is the Chainsaw. This type of person wants to display or vocalize their talents for no other reason than bragging. The vast majority of people who apply to such jobs often have a tendency to want immediate results applied to their careers. The chainsaw wants to be promoted, recognized for their work and lord their power over anyone in a lower position. Those that fall into that category range from superiority to entitlement complexes. There are many ways of preventing people from moving up that suffer these mental setbacks, however nothing will protect you from them while you're grouped with them.

Remember, "Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Trivial power corrupts trivially."

Second is the Drone: If your mindset is to simply work away as a drone, then you've found the perfect job. A call center drone is by far the easiest job out there. It's a great place holder for earning cash while you're transitioning your life for better things. You sit on your duff all day and listen to caller complaints, give technical support or attempt to sell things. Some say it's stressful, well yes, it does require some effort on your part however you're no longer slaving over a hot basket of fries and meat patties. If you wanted a better job you should have gone elsewhere.

This brings us to the next type of call center worker: The Chronic Complainer. As this is a constant throughout the universe, there is a special place in Hades for such people. Buddha called the Eighth circle of Hell, "Perpetual Hell" or more precisely, "Self-made Hell." Bringing this to light, people who complain about their occupation often find themselves unwilling to leave and find another one. Instead they suffer this never ending torment which is their existence and bring anyone within earshot along for the ride. Often the only form of escape for them is death. I often catch myself contemplating suicide because of these people.

So grab a cup of coffee and steal that red stapler. Welcome to work at a Canadian Call Center.

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