Collections Agent - Call centre job

Metacarpi

Went for an interview today for a temporary contract as a collections agent. Finished a Masters degree in an unrelated subject a couple of months ago but i've had no luck getting a job in that line so far and I need something to tide me over for a while to save money.

The work is pretty much debt collection so it'll be tough enough but i'm a hard worker i'll stick out anything for a few months! :pac: Has anyone here ever worked in that line before? Any advice or tips you'd give?

I'm supposed to hear back from them by the end of the day..fingers crossed!!:)

Metacarpi

Got the job!! any advice appreciated!

Nody

Don't take it personal and make sure you're notes in any system and comments on the phone are clear and you'd not mind them being reported in a newspaper by a reporter trying to crucify you personally through a personal vendetta.

Secondly remember that a person is much more likely to agree to something if they rejected something first; so ask for everything to be paid right now (rejected) then propose payment plan (more likely to be accepted then if you proposed it directly).

Nelly1234

Metacarpi wrote: »

Got the job!! any advice appreciated!

Congrats! Is it in cork or Dublin? My brother worked in a similar role and said the money was good enough for what he was doing:)

Metacarpi

Nelly1234 wrote: »

Congrats! Is it in cork or Dublin? My brother worked in a similar role and said the money was good enough for what he was doing:)

Thanks! It's in Cork. It's about €9.80 p/h and considering my last job was minimum wage i'm happy out with this!

micromary

I think the most important thing here is not to take it personal. If you learn anything please learn that. I am saying that from somebody who has over 4 years experience in collections. Yes it is easy to get in a row with somebody who does not have money. However remember that the person or business involved may have a lot of people after them and their backs may be up against the wall. Also remember that you will more then likely be brought into a meeting with your manager, supervisor or both and believe me listening to the tape of what happened is not a pleasant experience!

My tips are : take a deep breath if you feel like you want to argue with someone, stay calm, listen, be quite to negotiate and offer a carrot to get money out of them (no further action will be taken, your credit score will not be affected, you will still remain a customer etc etc) Good luck with it.

_Kaiser_

Also worth noting that unless something has changed recently, if you're working for a 3rd party company, the people you're calling are under no obligation to deal with you at all - something that isn't widely advertised.

The contract is between the original company and the customer and 3rd party companies (many of whom are based outside this state) have no legal authority to demand money from people or harass them to get it.

My advice to someone having problems paying their bills would be to deal directly with the supplier and come to an arrangement.

Metacarpi

Thanks for the advice guys, much appreciated!