Thursday, February 26, 2009

Representatives For Rent: Understanding Virtual Call Center Jobs

Alpine Access

Alpine Access helps organizations that are in need of customer service representatives. If you have a college degree and customer service experience, you may want to apply for a virtual position with this company. Because they receive up to 1,000 applications each week, make sure you send a professional resume that highlights your customer service experience. On average, the company hires 2% of those who apply for work-from-home positions.

If you don't have customer service experience, but have worked in business administration or data entry, you should still apply. In addition to completing a competency test, you will also have to complete a voice audition and a phone interview. Starting salary is $9.00 with plenty of room for advancement. Typical shifts are Monday through Friday from 6am-6pm with weekend shifts available as well. Most employees work between 20-30 hours a week.

Paid training is available. Depending on your level of customer service experience and the types of equipment you will have to use in order to complete job tasks, training can last a few days or a few weeks.

LiveOps

For those who have experience in telemarketing or customer service, LiveOps is a great company to work for. LiveOps caters to companies who sell goods and services over the phone or online and who need agents to take orders, call customers, and answer questions and complaints. In order to qualify for a position, you must pass a criminal background check and a series of tests designed to determine your customer service abilities.

One of the best perks about this company is that you can set your own hours. While you have to commit to a set number of half hour shifts, you can choose to complete them at your leisure. Typical salary range is $7-$20.00 per hour. Agents may receive incentives such as bonuses from contracted companies for convincing customers to buy more or upgrade while placing an order.

If you enjoy setting your own hours, competing for bonuses, and working for a company that has about 16,000 work-from-home agents, LiveOps may be for you.

Convergys

Convergys is another company that hires work-from-home customer service agents to handle a variety of tasks that include billing, customer service, employee care, and management consulting. If hired, you will have to work a dedicated schedule that includes paid training that can take up to 80 hours. Training is completed online or via email or phone.

This company pays about $7.25 and agents are paid about .20 per minute. All the three companies mentioned, this one pays the lowest.

As you can see, virtual call center jobs are becoming more popular as companies try to find ways to save money in overhead costs. Instead of paying rent for office space, heating and cooling costs, and equipment costs, they are turning to virtual employees to maintain quality customer service from the comfort of home.

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