Call center/Help desk job making me depressed

markcobbles

As the title suggests, in the role two years now, no sign of progression,sh!t pay and it's driving me to near despairing thoughts

I feel like a worthless piece of absolute sh!t because of it

Life wasn't meant to be sitting at a desk taking call after call all day like a worthless robot..I can't think of any job being more degrading and i really need to do something about it

i have been studying but have had little luck raising finances for a part time degree and getting the time as this job takes up most my day

i can't quit and study full time as i have rent to pay and don't want to be on the welfare either

Is anyone in the same boat??

Part of me wants to spend some money i could get on further education but the only way to fund it is to stay in this job that has driven me to suicide or i was thinking i could emigrate but i have a feeling if i emigrate i may land another job like this as this is all i know

Anyone in a similar situation who managed to get out and find something better???

I hope some people have and can offer some advice please

Gongoozler

... Look for another job...?

markcobbles

Gongoozler wrote: »

... Look for another job...?

Ive been trying but i have no experience in anything else

Gongoozler

markcobbles wrote: »

Ive been trying but i have no experience in anything else

Ah, you just need to learn to sell yourself! You don't just answer the phone, you provide customer service. You have great listening and communication skills. You handle difficult situations calmly, and work well under pressure. Etcetera Etcetera.

on_my_oe

What do you want to study? Open University or RDI could work for you, as both are distance study. Otherwise bite the bullet and study part time evenings and weekends - it is possible (I'm in my third year)

pauliebdub

Are there any short courses you could do, that don't cost the earth, like project management for instance?

Where do your interests lie? Could you not do some volunteering in an area that interests you, where you might learn a new skill to help you progress?

Are there any opportunities within the company you work that you could apply for? Similar jobs in other companies? Do you have a network of friends ex colleagues who might help?

pauliebdub

Your problem might be better served in the work and jobs forum.

King George VI

OP, if you don't like your job, quit and get a new one. Or go back to college. Forget all this "you need to have a job" bollocks. Whatever reasons that are making you stay there - be it rent or just not wanting to be on the dole - they aren't more important than your mental health and/or self esteem.

The more you make excuses about not doing it, the more upset you're going to be. Take action now. It isn't going to be easy being poor for a while, but it'll be worth it when you eventually get a job that you like and you're pulling in 50 grand a year or whatever it is. Plus, you'll feel like a total boss when you get there.

Also, if you're depressed and suicidal talk face to face about it with someone. It helps big time buddy.

I wish you the best with whatever you do.

markcobbles

Johnny Carson wrote: »

OP, if you don't like your job, quit and get a new one. Or go back to college. Forget all this "you need to have a job" bollocks. Whatever reasons that are making you stay there - be it rent or just not wanting to be on the dole - they aren't more important than your mental health and/or self esteem.

The more you make excuses about not doing it, the more upset you're going to be. Take action now. It isn't going to be easy being poor for a while, but it'll be worth it when you eventually get a job that you like and you're pulling in 50 grand a year or whatever it is. Plus, you'll feel like a total boss when you get there.

Also, if you're depressed and suicidal talk face to face about it with someone. It helps big time buddy.

I wish you the best with whatever you do.

Thanks for the advice

I've said it to family members but they just think i have had a bad day and talking nonsense, typical do gooders

I literally told them you don't get it this job has ruined everything and I'm no better position than people who leech off the dole for a living

I will make a decision next week the thought of leaving the job is almost euphoric and is the only thing that puts a smile on my face these days

however i fear i won't be able to get another job in a different sector or higher up in the IT chain as i have only worked in a call center

I have alot to take into consideration this weekend

Thanks buddy

Stheno

markcobbles wrote: »

Thanks for the advice

I've said it to family members but they just think i have had a bad day and talking nonsense, typical do gooders

I literally told them you don't get it this job has ruined everything and I'm no better position than people who leech off the dole for a living

I will make a decision next week the thought of leaving the job is almost euphoric and is the only thing that puts a smile on my face these days

however i fear i won't be able to get another job in a different sector or higher up in the IT chain as i have only worked in a call center

I have alot to take into consideration this weekend

Thanks buddy

Are you doing tech support?

markcobbles

markcobbles wrote: »

Ive been trying but i have no experience in anything else

You've experience in being in a job which is a great help all on its own. Dealing with customers, maybe tech support? that kind of thing.

You don't just answer the phone, you provide customer service. You have great listening and communication skills. You handle difficult situations calmly, and work well under pressure. Etcetera Etcetera.

this ^

MagicMarker

You still have time to apply for part time courses/degrees. I'm starting one in DIT myself next month and I'll continue to work full time.

markcobbles

Stheno wrote: »

Are you doing tech support?

yes, in xbox

pragmatic1

I hate my job too OP. I'd say a lot of people are in the same position.

Try and stick it out till you get something better. If it's actually making you ill, leave it. Nothing is worth your health.

Stheno

markcobbles wrote: »

yes, in xbox

I started out doing tech support in the nineties, and used it as a basis for getting into other areas of IT.

As others have said, look for opportunities in your own company that you can apply for, do relevant courses for any areas you want to move into, and look for jobs outside of your company that may interest you.

Ruu

Moving from After Hours, please obey the current charter.

Rackstar

markcobbles wrote: »

yes, in xbox

You're working for Microsoft which looks great on a CV.

How about doing some Microsoft exams? You can do most of the training for free on microsoftvirtualacademy.com

Start training in Azure or Office 365, get certified and you're guaranteed a job.

Steppenwolfe

I've been in similar situations in the past OP. Before I got sense I would stick it out and eventually break down and be useless to myself and others. Nothng is worth your health. I eventually learned how to deal with the crappy jobs and all the bull that goes with them. When I was well enough to work I always saved as much as I could. I called it my 'f*ck you' fund. When I couldn't take it anymore i would quit or go sick or both. It surprising how far you can make money stretch when you have to. If you do manage to get more qualifications and a better job don't think it will end there. Even if you find a job you enjoy, eventually something or somebody will f*ck you over and things will change. No matter how happy you are always have a 'f*ck you' fund. The bigger it is the more security you will feel. This in turn gives you a better attidude in work, as once you have a choice you don't feel as trapped or helpless. If you do finally decide to go, don't make it easy for them by just walking out. Give them hell for a few months then go on the sick for as long as you can. Never feel guilty about this. They won't feel guilty about using you up and spitting you out. Always put your health and your own interests first. Good luck and don't let the bastards grind you down

RomanGod

Don't leave unless you have another job sorted. I left my call centre job (cold calling) for college and I can't find anything now even after graduating. I would have loved your position at that time, talking to people who need your help than outbound calling and dealing with hostility. I was good at it but you'd have some very bad days where you take mountains of abuse and no sales

Fluxfan

Nothing is worth making you ill really. I got some good advice on boards a few weeks ago when I really hated my job, and it gave me the courage to look for a new job and stop just putting up with it.

I'm now starting a new, and much more exciting job in a couple of weeks. I wouldn't leave until you have something else lined up. Everyone does say its easier to find a job when you have a job. But do look. Don't be like me where you are crying in the evenings at the thought of going in the next day, but stuck in a rut and doing nothing about it.

MarkR

I started in call centre working. Actually, I started as a cleaner, cleaning toilets. Then I was a barman. Then call centre retail store card applications / collections. Tech support for mobile phones. Then printers. Then notebook support. Then notebook support / repairing notebooks. Then server installations. Now I work with databases / sql allegedly.

Change may not be quick, but it happens, if you work for it. You are not your job. There are part time courses, just depends on what you want to do.

King George VI

markcobbles wrote: »

Thanks for the advice

I've said it to family members but they just think i have had a bad day and talking nonsense, typical do gooders

I literally told them you don't get it this job has ruined everything and I'm no better position than people who leech off the dole for a living

I will make a decision next week the thought of leaving the job is almost euphoric and is the only thing that puts a smile on my face these days

however i fear i won't be able to get another job in a different sector or higher up in the IT chain as i have only worked in a call center

I have alot to take into consideration this weekend

Thanks buddy

No problem.

You sound like a guy that sits behind me in work (also in a call centre). In fact I almost thought you were him based on your username. Let us know what decision you've made.

Princess Zelda

Hi there.

I just sent you a PM.

gandalf

TBH an awful lot of people started their serious careers in a call centre environment. They are not meant to be long term jobs but just a stepping stone along the way (typically at the start). If you are working for one of the larger techs they should have free training programmes in place. Take advantage of those. If you are involved in first line support you have a hell of a lot of skills already that you probably take for granted.

If you can afford it try and see a career consultant and get them to chart out what sort of job you would like to be in. That will give you an idea of what to aim for, so at least if you have to endure the current job for a little longer you have a long term plan and goal to aim for.