Anybody else work in a Call Centre?

Yep, I work in a call centre.

After 9 years of illness (BP), I was rescued by a wonderful pdoc, who put me on the right combo of meds, made time for me for appointments and really was my driving force for entering the working world.  Years spent in psych hospitals, ECT's, too many meds made me skeptical.  I was faced with lack of computer skills due to time away for the working world, so I had to teach myself.  Another obstacle was a very spotty resume, due to years of illness.

But, tenacity prevailed, and with some volunteer experience under my belt, I found a job.

(The training session which lasted 2 weeks darned near killed me!  Lots to learn and I was the slowest).

Back to the call centre question.  I am in collections and it is very stressful.  Nasty, cranky customers take their toll on me, but I have been with this company (at this job) for almost 11 mos.  A true feat.  I find my years listening and talking with other patients while in hospital, has helped dealing with sometimes cranky people.

Deb 

Hi Linden,

I am *so* impressed by how you've managed to turn things around. -- Big pat on the back and round of applause. -- Getting back to work after these things can be a real vicious circle, but you *broke it* and didn't let it break you.

I've never worked in a call centre, but I have worked on a help desk -- which is a polite term for essentially dealing with people who have problems with a service and are normally pretty riled by the time they come to get help! ;) My motto: kill that grouchiness with kindness: people tend to calm down quickly when you sympathise and are friendly as well as helpful. -- But I bet you do this anyway: people who have had big problems themselves tend to be much better at knowing how to respond to others in crisis or who are showing frayed nerves/tempers.

I have a great deal of respect for you for all you have done and are doing -- and for your wonderful pdoc.

Rosie x