Job decisions

LegacyUser

Hi all,

I'm a male in my early 20's. Looking for a bit of advice here in relation to my career path. I'm currently saving to be a pilot, I have about 60% of the money saved towards it from working. I am currently in a call centre environment for work. My problem is here. Everytime I come here its constant pressure to meet targets, customers shouting abuse, you can never do enough. Now I know people will say " you're lucky to have a job in this climate " but is it worth feeling physically sick with the thoughts of going in, on the verge of breaking down half way through your shift. 32 people have left the job since the start of the year all mainly because they can't stand the place any more. Some are unemployed, some went travelling, some got work elsewhere. I've held down lots of previous jobs, only changing because of a better financial opportunity. I'd gladly do most kinds of work but i've never been in one where i've been treated as badly, i'm always " wrong " and can never do right in the eyes of my boss.

Considering the options of working abroad in order to come up with the rest of the money for my training. Just running the risk of going abroad holds me back, if it doesn't work out.

Just wondering what people would do in my shoes ? I'm early 20's, physically sick with the thoughts of going in, really don't feel I can take much more of it ( i've stuck it out for 2.5yrs )

Any help or views appreciated on this !

Cathal O

How long at this current job would it take you to save the other 40% of the money?
Also you could go job hunting on the quiet and quit your current job when/ if one comes up

LegacyUser

Hi,

All I can say to you at the moment is that I am/was in your shoes. I have been working part time for a call center for the past 4 years, two of which were during college and I've since graduated two years...
For me the last year or thereabouts has been really really horrible with the abuse I've been receiving from customers. Plus there are much less staff there to manage the queues which makes it much worse than ever before. I've handed in my notice and I'm absolutely delighted with my decision. Now, I would have been really well able to handle bad calls and resolve difficult issues/angry customers before but nowadays it seems people are only delighted to scream and curse at you for quite literally very very minor things. The daily stress of this started to effect my heart and I had to go onto medication, and like you I felt ill at the thoughts of going into work. Before I decided to leave I felt very guilty at the thought of giving up what many people (including myself at one point) would consider a fairly handy job. But I just can't do it anymore.
It's a pity because I really do like helping customers too! I can't tell you whether you should quit or not, but would you feel more relief at leaving that anything else? If you have a degree and have thought about teaching abroad before it's definately worth looking into. And maybe just a change in country would help, I think there a a fair few UK call centres looking for people although you'd have to look into that....
Anyway whatever you do you are most certainly not alone! All the best:)

poozers

oh OP, im also in a job similar to yours (not call centre but the constant need for targets being achieved, being blamed for things beyond our control) in fact I have a disciplinarey meeting coming up over my targets not being achieved! our boss last year was a NIGHTMARE! she trained in our boss that started before christmas and she is not far off our first manager! and i mainly deal with snot nosed kids and screaming babies and up their own hole parents!!!

since october 2009 every 2nd morning getting up for work i would feel physically sick, not able to eat a breakfast, suffering throughout the day...things have gotten more stressful lately, and for about 6 months ive been popping Motiliums before work (not every morning but most) ! "one thing led to another" (as they say) and the last few two weeks i have been really sick with severe stomach problems (was at the doc) . and i know for a fact that stress from work is one of the main causes of this... the thing is, if i am off work i feel fine, but if i am working, or the night before work, i cant eat anything in the morning, i feel dizzy weak and faint! i know taking so many motiliums was not good for me either!

anyway, sorry for goin on about my own problems... im secretly job hunting too with no success, and this job is making my life a misery! i thing the "at least you have a job" malarky is a load of old sh1te! yes i have a job, a job thats affecting my physical and mental wellbeing, not much a life is it?! feeling sick in the morning and coming home in foul moods!!!

i do suggest you keep on looking for a new job! not great advice i know, but its all i am able to do at the mo. im in no position to travel due to bills, loan repayments and earning crap money!!! but travelling is all i want to do! maybe you should do it for all of us people who have horrible jobs!!! all i can say is best of luck! i hope my long dragged out post gives you a bit of comfort , and your doing so well with the saving for someone in their early twenties a lot of respect for someone who is working hard for their goal, and i know it costs a LOT of money to become a pilot!!!