Customer Service and Sales

[Jedi]

Has anybody here been in a customer service or sales rep position? Being enthusiastic and outgoing seem to be key for these types of jobs, qualities that at times make me cringe. With the job market the way it is beggars can't be choosers so I went to a walk-in interview for a phone sales position at a bank. I thought I answered all the crap questions pretty well but in hindsight should have been a little more... bubbly. I had a similar interview a couple years ago and it went great, I walked out of the interview employed, and drunk.

I can't help but think I'm destined to fail.

 

[Cavallier]

It pays the bills but leaves a tough skin.

Also, if you work customer service and you are still a prick to customer service workers that makes you a dirty son of a bitch.

I generally got around 50 cents above minimum wage with on average a 9 cent raise every year I worked. Supposedly that covered the higher cost of living.

It was hell and I generally went to work a bit drunk.

 

[xbox]

Haha, I considered taking a drink or something before going into my previous sales job. But I didn't and they stopped scheduling me. I wasn't talkative enough for the position.

 

[Reverse Transcriptase]

For sales you definitely have to be outgoing. But it's not too bad b/c the people usually aren't giving you problems or expressing their stress at your company to you.

I would not raise the bar to "outgoing" in customer service. I think that the important thing is not to be rude. I've actually had customer service people who are rude, have a bad tone with me, even though I'm being just fine! I've also been in situations where I ask a question a different way, try to explore the issue with a customer service rep, and they'll just give me back the same scripted answer I got before. That drives me up the walls. It's like they don't even really understand the limitations of the system, and they don't care either.

As an INTP, your biggest challenge will probably be being bored. Because I think that INTPs are good at keeping a level emotional state and acting politely. That's all you need to do. There will be people screaming at you, but if you listen respectfully to them (and maybe ask them for respect too) then it should be okay.

You will probably have to talk to a lot of dumb people.

 

[Cognisant]

My apologies sir/madam but it appears we don't stock that item.

But a friend of mine said he/she bought <item> here several weeks/months ago.

Truly? Well then it must be here... do you know where it is?

I, what?

Well I've been working here for about, aww two years now and I have yet to see <item> myself, so when you find it, as you surely must since it clearly has to be here, please tell me because I would be delighted to finally learn of its location.

 

[Puffy]

Interesting, I had a call centre job a few years back. As Reverse said I don't really think customers are a great issue, I was never bubbly on the phone, just polite and to the point. If someone got really irrate, and that was pretty rare, I'd just try my best to diffuse them and then hand them over to a supervisor if necessary.

Because I was working for a bank I found it really nervous when I encountered new problems, I always felt like I owed the caller a good service, if I called my bank I wouldn't want to end up with someone who doesn't know what they are doing and then passes you on to everyone in the department. You learn the ropes after a few weeks, the one reason I will never go back to a similar job was the sales targets. I couldn't sell something for nothing. It always made me nervous on every call thinking 'shit, when can I introduce a product or a lead', it always sounded so forced, and to me it just ruined every call. Someone could be really happy with me, I would feel happy with myself that I had helped them, then I go on about products and they just think "yeah, here's another one".

It genuinely made me feel sick about myself. I made myself ill stressing over that job then I left. I don't mind customer service, never sales though.

 

[digital angel]

You won't fail.

I don't think that not being bubbly will hurt you. While sales is difficult, you should keep in mind that it's a phone sales position. This is different from having to actually sell in person. Keep looking.

I understand your frustration with the economy. I'm a lawyer and have been underemployed for quite some time. I stopped keeping track of the time.

 

[Cavallier]

Me: We don't have that item in stock right now.

Them: Do you have some in the back?

Me: Oh, you want to know about "The Back". It is a magical place where items pop into existence the moment customers ask after them. Just a moment while I go to the back and look for your item. I totally won't be chilling in the back taking a breather while you stand around and wait for me.