Graduated from uni last year, spent a year teaching in Japan now back in the good old UK.
Applying this year to grad school. Deadlines are Christmas or so.
Gotta have open heart surgery in about 2 months.
So, I’ve been at home killing time for a month or so, don’t think I can take another two. Gotta find a job, quite limited by the fact that I’ll be ‘going away’ for at least a month come 8 weeks from now. Could use the money too.
So, my two options would seem to be:
starbucks.
pro: supposedly a fun place.
con: not easy to get to, might be screwing them over by leaving so soon, not done a service industry job before and I hear it’s quite tough
call centre (directory enquiries)
pro: right by rail station, casual dress, not stressful on the old heart, pays fairly well
con: I hear it’s soul destroying
What do you think? Is this kind of call centre work (target call length 45 seconds) bearable - I’ve heard they have close to 100% staff turnover every year. OTOH, you can do almost anything for 6 weeks, right?
I think that call center thing would be the way to go, for 6 weeks. The worst kinds of call center work are when you are selling something people don’t want, or doing collections. If it is directory enquiries, it sounds like basically telling people what they want to know and they get on with their life. I don’t imagine it will destroy your soul in 6 weeks. Part of its soul-destroying power is if you think you may be stuck doing it forever. I’m sure you would encounter an equal if not higher number of difficult people at Starbucks.
Call center work can be kind of fun, just put yourself in the “zone,” do your work and go home. One of its advantages is that you rarely are asked to bring work home. Also, some call centers attract a lot of young, outgoing workers and can have a fun vibe of their own.
Another vote for the call centre - it’s easy work, you’re not on your feet all day and as call centre jobs go, directory assistance is just about the holy grail. Short calls, the customers want info so they’re not calling to yell about bills/service difficulties/missing money from their bank account and just about no training needed. If it’s close to where you commute, then you’ve got a double bonus.
I’m currently working at an internal help desk call center. It’s really not bad, though I worry about the financial health of my company. I work with fellow geeks. The people who call in may be lacking in the brains department, but they can’t get TOO crazy, or a quick email to their manager sets things right.
If it’s debt collection, you may be better off selling a kidney to survive.
Having worked as a directory assistance operator for oh, 3 months or so in my youth, I can tell you most assuredly that 6 weeks is not likely to destroy your soul.
It’s tedious work and the day doesn’t go by very quickly, but it’s fairly easy and I spoke to maybe one snarky asshat in every 300 calls, which is an awesome ratio for call center work of any kind.
I didn’t stay long because the pay was low, the hours were wonky and you didn’t have your own desk. You kind of just grabbed whatever terminal was open when you were back from your break. That woulda killed me long term.
If you dig social interaction which includes getting to know people on a first name basis and explaining the difference between breve and soy several times a day to clueless patrons, Starbucks may be more your speed.
I might take Starbucks just for an employee discount, but I’m a bit of an addict. YMMV
First, sorry to hear about the surgery. My husband had open heart surgery over ten years ago, and it’s like joining a club. He always points out people’s scars. (Okay, he’s weird.)
I’d say the call center would be the avenue to go. The turnover rate won’t matter to you because you’ll be turning over anyway. And six weeks is a short enough time that you won’t go berserk. Yet. Good luck.
I’ve been working in a call center for about four months and my sanity and soul are so far intact whereas I cannot say the same about the retail positions I’ve had in the past that are roughly equivalent to that of a barista.
