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| source: https://www.pinterest.com/sharon55408/philippine-history-culture/ |
No carols, no going around to see the joy that Christmas brings to the Metro. Ten Decembers ago, I was desperate. I needed a high paying job. I heard of the Call Centers. Confidence brought me to the doors of ELJ building in Quezon City. I had to ask my uncle the directions because I did not know anything in Manila or Quezon City to be exact. I was desperate. I was scared of a Christmas with nothing. I endured the recruitment process that went on for a day. In the middle of it all I was asked to comeback for a final interview. Urrrrgh! Tired but still desperate for a high job I was still hopeful. What attracted me the most was the "sign on" bonus of ten thousand pesos only to realize later that I will get it on my first month and not when I literally sign the contract. I passed and was scheduled for training. I was wave 29 of Amazon.com. I was a call center agent.
Ten Decembers
I sit in a comfortable chair surrounded by a team of sales people on a crunch time to hit their individual quotas. It's a new job. I spent five years with my previous company. That's half of my entire career! But that's a different story! I sit and watch the darkness outside the window. Ten Decembers later, I asked what changed in my life. I am still in this cut throat industry with the desire of being on top consuming me. Maybe the intensity is there. I have people now ready and waiting for the direction that we will take, who to hunt and what to do next. That's a significant change. That's a significant upgrade.
Ten Decembers
I was in a chair asking people how I can help them. Thinking of the next resolution. Lull moments make me think of the past years when I was at home but no longer can. When my mom would cook a lot of food: sweet, juicy, nice and delicious. No more! I am stuck with a headset on my head taking calls and finding a resolution streamed with unending supply of irritated customers.
"How can I help you?"
"Can you tell me more?"
"Please verify your email address."
"What is your order number?"
"Do you want my supervisor?"
"The previous agent was rude?"
"I am sorry about your experience!"
"Let me help you."
Chanted it like a mantra of a dying person hoping that it would save him. If I could get out then I would. I can't though. Christmas offers a lot of guilt to management prompting them to give you stuff to make you comfortable. Good food in the pantry, free stuff on the floor, the bonus and of course the premium pay.
Ten Decembers
Teaches you a lot of stuff. Teaches you that the only way for your family to be happy you have to sacrifice. If you want them to have a sense of heaven then you have to be ready to take shit. Accept this if you want to succeed. It is not an easy job. I know because I spent...
Ten Decembers
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