Another day...

@Zelmarq (12585)
Cebu City, Philippines
July 2, 2008 11:06pm CST
They say I have the worst job in the world, customer service officer. Getting paid to get yelled at, shouted at and sometimes insulted for not being able to meet subscribers desires. Well, no matter how I look at each side of the coin, they are always right, even if they sound so wrong they are always right and they deserve the best. But there are so many things beyond our control and its a matter of being able to play and survive this world of complaints. I passed the day without a subscriber getting mad at me. Its unusual but im just glad. Its always a daily prayer that I make it through the day with flying colors and true enough another answered prayer. I experimented on being childish with subscribers and they respond in such a manner, and try to be nice as much as possible no matter how maldita and demanding they seem to be, I pretend not to get impatient and impolite to them even when they are shouting and seems to get the earwax from my ears. I survive the day with just a smile and laugh at their demands. Most often I just joke about it and laugh. Its just a matter of coping. No matter how I try there are things that is beyond my control and God is in control over all the things around.
11 people like this
23 responses
@mscott (1923)
• United States
3 Jul 08
I would think it takes a special kind of personality to do your job. Not everyone can sit passively by, even when they know it has nothing to do with them personally, and get yelled at. Some people actually like starting fights. I guess you wouldn't keep that job long though unless you were able to stay cool and collected. Good for you.
4 people like this
@Zelmarq (12585)
• Cebu City, Philippines
3 Jul 08
Hello mscott. Well, im not that cool, I had some fighting escapades with subscribers but eneded up guilty in the end. For eight years maybe have the Fa mulan personality.
2 people like this
• United States
3 Jul 08
I don't have quite the same type of customer service job you have, but I do work in a service profession where people can get very angry at you or expect you to solve all their Earthly problems. But, there are days where things are good and everyone seems really pleasant. I guess that's what keeps me going on my job. I try to keep in mind that some people just have problems and that I'm not the reason for them as much as they think I am.
@Zelmarq (12585)
• Cebu City, Philippines
3 Jul 08
Well, dsl connection and phone line is really important and I understand why they get angry when 3 days wfter we are unable to solve their problem. Of course I would also somehow feel the same but the difference is that I wont yell and nag about such a problem, I know i would end up feeling guilty also.
2 people like this
@cdparazo (5765)
• Philippines
3 Jul 08
I find your job very stressful and only the strong of heart, mind and resolve could survive. Many of those that I have interviewed came from call centers and I always get the same feedback. I laud you for staying on the job. One must be self motivated enough to be able to turn all those stress causing situations, complains and calls into a constant challenging. More power to you!
@Zelmarq (12585)
• Cebu City, Philippines
7 Jul 08
Thankyou very much my friend for the reminder, I needed that and sometimes I cant help it when I get melancholic and dramatic with small things and small issues. I keep reminding myself to be nice coz in the end I will still feel bad when somebody complains about the way treated them.
1 person likes this
@kaleegirl45 (1515)
• United States
3 Jul 08
I have to say, wtg, I know I could never have the patiences to do that type of work. But we have do to what we need to do. keep praying and hope that the shouting will stop one day.
@Zelmarq (12585)
• Cebu City, Philippines
3 Jul 08
Well theres no shouting everyday, but I can make it through the day, there are also cool guys who call and they are also good people.
1 person likes this
• United States
3 Jul 08
I worked for customer service for about a week. it was a work at home job. It was okay, but I just didn't like calling people up and asking them question. Some people like this kind of jobs. I rather just work and not deal with anyone.
1 person likes this
@squaretile (3778)
• Singapore
3 Jul 08
you're right i think customer service officers have one of the hardest jobs in the world. but it really takes a certain kind of skill and temperament to be a good customer service officer, and i think you have a very good attitude when it comes to that, zelmarq! i think well trained customer officers will make even the most unreasonable customers see their point of view and understand the situation. they might not accept the situation but at least they have come halfway in understanding it. Kudos to your for your patience and good view of things!
2 people like this
@Zelmarq (12585)
• Cebu City, Philippines
7 Jul 08
Well, when you speak of temperament I dont think i was fit to do this job. It ws not easy during my early years here. Not a day goes by that i dont shed a tear here, but maybe as I mature I also have fully appraciated the beauty of being nice even when are not. have a nice day and take care.
@joliefille (3690)
• Philippines
3 Jul 08
It's your attitude towards your work that makes a lot of difference. Trust me, I worked in that area for 4 years and I've heard a lot of people say it's the worst job in the world. But I earn thrice what those people earn anyways. Hahaha. I am a very impatient person but I try to sound pleasant over the phone. It was something I tried hard to do everyday.
3 people like this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
3 Jul 08
yup I had the same reation when I did this and When I would laugh and then ask them some questions for some reason I aske d the right nes I could make them laugh to and get the problem solved!
2 people like this
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
3 Jul 08
wow, my hat is off to you. i cant imagine doing your job! each negative call would send me crying i think. the other person was right in saying it takes a special person to do your job and i guess you are it! :-)
2 people like this
• United States
3 Jul 08
you must have the patience of a saint.i could never deal with people that directly in my face all day. i know i'd lose my temper sooner or later.
@Zelmarq (12585)
• Cebu City, Philippines
4 Jul 08
Yes, but i am only human and have limitations.
@makingpots (11915)
• United States
3 Jul 08
Blessings to you, dear Zelmarq for working in such a stressful position. I am happy for you that you had a good day. Here's wishing you many, many more of those in your near future. You have a good attitude. Keep up the good work.
2 people like this
@Zelmarq (12585)
• Cebu City, Philippines
4 Jul 08
Thank you very much and have a nice day!
• United States
5 Jul 08
Great job. I hope you rewarded by your bosses for the good job you are doing.
2 people like this
@youless (112164)
• Guangzhou, China
3 Jul 08
I know working as the customer service officer is very frustrated sometimes. Because the customers will lose temper and blame you. Since the customers are always right. So you have to stand all of these, even if some of them are quite unfair. You know sometimes some people are just not understanding and considerate. Since this is your work, and there is not another choice and you have to try to offer a good service and attitude to the customers. I hope you will have a good day. I love China
2 people like this
@twallace (2675)
• United States
3 Jul 08
You have a positive attitude about your job and that is great. Customer service is not the best job in the world but it pays and that is the good thing. You have to keep your cool no matter what the customer says to you and that's hard. They tell you that the customer is always right even when they are wrong. Even now and them you might find one that will apologize and say thank you for your help. When you get that you know you have done well. So keep up the good work. It's not and easy job that your holding down. So no mattter how hard it may be sometimes keep your cool.
• China
3 Jul 08
I appreciate your ability to adjust to competitive circumstances and i believe you can do your job much better in the future.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157907)
• United States
6 Jul 08
It is no doubt a hard job, but it sounds like you try to handle it with grace. Good for you. It is good that you remember to pray about the day as well. I should do the same.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (37969)
• Philippines
3 Jul 08
I say it is a tough job to be entertaining complaints the whole day and remain clam and compose in your line of job. It takes attitude to really perform your duty. Good luck on the comig days I am retty sure you'll meet more of these people with problems and complaints of all sorts.
2 people like this
@jillmalitz (5131)
• United States
4 Jul 08
A good CS person is a blessing. I have talked to some really good ones and some really bad ones. People who have the ability to help customers even though they are making demands or acting angry are special. Keep up the good work.
1 person likes this
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
3 Jul 08
Hi Zelmarq! It may be the worst job but you can always find some good things about it..like meeting new people and maybe potential contacts and friends that can open doors for you for other opportunities in life. However, I do agree with you and what the other people may be saying that it can really be stressful but like you have said, it is just a matter of coping. But don't let the complaints get into your nerves and don't take them personally. Easier said than done! haha...No matter what, I believe in what you have just said, God is in control. Take care and God bless!
2 people like this
• Philippines
3 Jul 08
Good day.. Yup it's a hard job getting yelled at but when the pay is good who's complaining right? Just don't take it personally and it would help to remember that once in a while you're in their position sometimes, like when your ordering over the phone and the delivery never came and when you try to confirm the food you ordered wasn't available or something to that effect. Or you bought an expensive but defective item, try to get it fixed but it keeps on malfunctioning and on top of that you can't get a new one or refund your money. With that we could also be shouting to people who's only responsibility is to take our call and yet we tend to blame them. That's life and I agree it'll take a type of attitude to handle this kind of stress or else one will get depressed. God bless.
2 people like this
• Malaysia
3 Jul 08
I am also a customer service officer like you. A very stressful job, I am lowly paid for all the shouting and verbal abuse I go through every day. I have received several compliments, two compliments in the last six months and about seven complments for the eight years I worked in this call center. I am sufering from stress related illness and I am planning to do a home based business soon.
2 people like this