Can an Introvert Work in a Call Center

Iv years ago, when I was a broke graduate, I said aye to a call center job. A headhunter recruited me and briefed me on the basics, but nothing could prepare me for the fell truths to come. Merely weeks in, I was drained, tired, my soul crushed. For archetype introverts like me, phone call centers can be a modern-twenty-four hour period hell.

It was a journey of failures and successes, simply I'm happy to report that I survived. And I learned that just considering introverts detest talking on the telephone doesn't hateful we tin't exist acme agents behind the telephone. No joke — here's how I did it.

Why Would an Introvert Choose to Work in a Call Center?

I'd just graduated from college, I wanted a task quickly, and a call heart promised I'd "get hired today, start working tomorrow." All they required of me was advice skills — previous task experience was non necessary. The compensation and benefits package was twice the minimum wage. At that bespeak in my life, I couldn't accept asked for more!

So, I launched myself out of my condolement zone and got a "real" job.

Expectations vs. Reality

Here's the fun part to whatever new job: when yous finally realize what you got yourself into.

I thought call centre work was just about talking over the phone. As long every bit I could answer customers' questions, I should be fine! Only boy, was I mistaken.

When I handled a financial account, I didn't just answer simple queries like, "How much is in my checking business relationship?" or "When is my bank check deposit going to clear?" Information technology was much more complicated than that. The calls could be draining, take a couple hours, and crush all your hopes for humanity.

I had to deal with emotional, irate customers who were ill and tired of begetting with the concern I was representing. I had to empathize, apologize, and grow a thick peel — not an easy feat for a highly sensitive introvert like me who is quite sensitive to other people'due south words and anger.

Many times, my breast heaved and my cheeks burned. Everything was too personal for me. I dreaded the small talk from chatty consumers. My cheeks hurt from the fake smiles and laughter (we were trained to smile when answering the telephone because it fabricated us sound friendlier).

And if you think the hell ends when you finally log out from your phone, you're wrong.

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Teamwork in Call Centers

I worked in semi-permanent groups with all sorts of people. I met warm, friendly coworkers and even some serenity ones like myself. But there were too people who were and then loud that I never truly felt comfortable around them. Instead, I had to acquire how to become comfortable with the awkwardness.

My "surreptitious"? But nervous laughter and a smile. (Not much of a helpful hush-hush, I know.)

Call center environments embrace extroverted civilization. One time, I was called out for eating lunch alone and not chatting much during our downtime (I preferred to read). Another huge thing was "team edifice." Imagine having to sleep in a dorm room and share a bed with your coworker on an overnight retreat. I almost always said no to that.

Yep, I was quite the social outcast. My supervisors constantly encouraged me to "connect" with my teammates.

As an introvert, I persisted with my own means of survival. And I proved to them that they could but leave me lone. I aced my surveys, stats, and came to work on time every twenty-four hour period.

So how did I practice information technology?

How to Survive (and Succeed) in a Phone call Centre as an Introvert

one. Observe the correct telephone call center.

Not all call centers are created equal. Services similar telecommunications and banking pay high salaries, but they're as well the most stressful. They're the typical call middle jobs that have loftier burnout and turnover rates. I quit 2 phone call center jobs similar those before finding the one that worked for me.

Let me be articulate: No corporeality of money is e'er worth feeling stressed out all the fourth dimension.

So, research the company well before you lot apply. Ask for employee feedback regarding:

Volume of work
Client attitudes
Management
Culture and environment

two. Plan and asking time off.

I always looked forward to taking time off work and being gratis from the stress of talking to customers. Every month, I'd take a long weekend to get together my senses, go surfing, and only sit quietly by myself at the beach.

Lone fourth dimension is crucial for us introverts to function at our all-time. More that, studies bear witness that taking advantage of your PTO — whether you lot're an introvert or extrovert — boosts morale and reduces stress and burnout. When I leave work for days at a time, I become this weird excited feeling to see my work figurer again (read: work computer, not necessarily teammates!).

3. Information technology's okay to go solo.

Lunch time was reserved for alone time. Throughout college and into my call center career, I well-nigh always ate peacefully solitary. My favorite spot in the pantry was the side facing the wall (who else tin can relate?).

My brusque, fifteen-infinitesimal breaks were as well spent in silence. While some people checked their social media notifications, I brewed tea and stared into nothingness.

If you're lucky plenty to work in a call middle with sleeping quarters, yous may have a nap during lunch time. You probably demand to catch up on sleep anyway.

iv. Imitation it till you brand it (yes, really).

Although I cringed when I was trained to exercise so, smiling while talking on the phone really did make a big departure in my demeanor. Practicing an upbeat, high-pitched tone too helped positively influence a customer'southward mood.

As strange equally it sounds, it's a lot like acting. Your workstation is your stage, and you lot just have to perform.

You don't have to beloved your customers and befriend all of your teammates. You merely accept to deliver and human action co-ordinate to what you lot're beingness paid for — solving customer's problems. For instance, if they're angry, give assurance that everything will be alright, even when y'all're not sure yet what to exercise!

One time you learn to "own" your call and accept responsibility for your customer, 80% of the hard work is covered. Each telephone call volition exist a breeze, even those where you have to say, "I can't do that for you."

5. At the terminate of the day, disconnect.

Yes, y'all will be labeled "that guy who never stays for happy hour," but that's fine. Over time, people will show respect and go out you lot alone. When y'all earn recognition as "most efficient" or a "client satisfaction champ," people volition finally encounter the power in your quiet.

Fellow introverts will look upwards to you as an example; you accept braved the unthinkable and "made it" after months of faking it. Most importantly, yous'll have your finances gear up! Who knows, you could utilize this coin to start a new career you really care nearly like working as an artist or in a pocket-sized angling community — an introvert's dream, correct? Keeping your larger, more meaningful goal in mind can help yous survive your darkest days in the call center.

And, oh, it's okay to get out your Facebook group chat on "mute." It doesn't really thing.

And, Lastly…

Don't be and so difficult on yourself. Remember, just stepping out of our comfort zones is a huge thing for us introverts. Don't be agape of the exhaustion and frustration. Yeah, they will inevitably come your manner, merely the difficult days will pass, and soon you'll find yourself in peace tranquillity.