Time Marches On...
Hello all. Wow, it has been almost a year since I last published to this little journal of mine. Well, here is what has been going on in my world. I know I last published an entry (although it was merely an answer to a daily question that lj does) in August of 2011, but much has gone on since then...
In January of 2011, after months of job searching, I became employed as a customer service representative for a major cell phone company. I was taking inbound calls, which means that people would call in, and I would assist in answering inquires about billing, as well as doing low level tech support. I was in training for this position for 9 complete weeks.
In February of 2011, I took my first phone calls at the company, albeit under the guidance of my trainer. This was when the "fun" started. From that point onward, I was berated by irate customers 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, a total of 40 hours, week in, week out. Although some customers had legitimate concerns, many of the angry calls were in regards to things that were clearly outlined in their service contracts, or explained to them by previous reps, managers, supervisors, etc. People wanted to upgrade whenever they felt like it, or felt that they should not be charged for visiting other countries, or that the company should drop everything, and come fix their minor coverage issue. I was suped on (meaning they asked for my supervisor) many times for things beyond my control. Heck, I even had one person demand to speak to President Obama because of my alleged incompetence.
I continued at this never ending stream of abuse called a CSR job, until February of 2012. At that time, due to failure of scorecards (metrics for length of call, transfer rate, and qualities or graded calls) due to call times being over the necessary times (due to consistent arguing/griping about bills, etc.), as well as mental collapse from the pressures of the job, I was dismissed from my position at the company. It was bad to get fired, but it was almost a relief. I had to pluck up the courage to go to work each day. The day I was fired, I was huddled in a ball in tears at the thought of having to go to work.
Through all of this mess and stress, there have been two shining beacons that have carried me through these times: my family, and my wonderful boyfriend, Dylan. I actually met him at the customer service job, and he still is employed with the company. We had been interested in each other, but we were both pretty shy. It took the cajoling of a mutual friend to get us to go on our first date. In May of 2012, we celebrated out 1year anniversary, and we now share an apartment together in his hometown in Indiana. This is my first real relationship, and I could not be happier. He is smart, loyal, honest, kind, funny, and he possesses so many other wonderful qualities that I cannot name them all. Sure, we fight from time to time, but we always make up quickly. He is not a conventionally handsome man, but I love the way he looks, and it suits his personality well. I am so fortunate to have found him, and I am glad we are together.
I have been jobless since February, and until recently, I had been battling with unemployment. I have lost that battle, but I do have a victory otherwise. I have been accepted to graduate school at a local university. I am so thrilled to continue my education, and my boyfriend is supportive as well. So, that we be a bold new venture come August, but one I am only too thrilled to undertake.
Well, that sums up my experiences in the past year. I plan to write more often, and keep this thing up to date (as I intended to from the start) I have nothing more to say for now, except I am very happy where I am.
Until we meet again,
Operaghost1987
In January of 2011, after months of job searching, I became employed as a customer service representative for a major cell phone company. I was taking inbound calls, which means that people would call in, and I would assist in answering inquires about billing, as well as doing low level tech support. I was in training for this position for 9 complete weeks.
In February of 2011, I took my first phone calls at the company, albeit under the guidance of my trainer. This was when the "fun" started. From that point onward, I was berated by irate customers 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, a total of 40 hours, week in, week out. Although some customers had legitimate concerns, many of the angry calls were in regards to things that were clearly outlined in their service contracts, or explained to them by previous reps, managers, supervisors, etc. People wanted to upgrade whenever they felt like it, or felt that they should not be charged for visiting other countries, or that the company should drop everything, and come fix their minor coverage issue. I was suped on (meaning they asked for my supervisor) many times for things beyond my control. Heck, I even had one person demand to speak to President Obama because of my alleged incompetence.
I continued at this never ending stream of abuse called a CSR job, until February of 2012. At that time, due to failure of scorecards (metrics for length of call, transfer rate, and qualities or graded calls) due to call times being over the necessary times (due to consistent arguing/griping about bills, etc.), as well as mental collapse from the pressures of the job, I was dismissed from my position at the company. It was bad to get fired, but it was almost a relief. I had to pluck up the courage to go to work each day. The day I was fired, I was huddled in a ball in tears at the thought of having to go to work.
Through all of this mess and stress, there have been two shining beacons that have carried me through these times: my family, and my wonderful boyfriend, Dylan. I actually met him at the customer service job, and he still is employed with the company. We had been interested in each other, but we were both pretty shy. It took the cajoling of a mutual friend to get us to go on our first date. In May of 2012, we celebrated out 1year anniversary, and we now share an apartment together in his hometown in Indiana. This is my first real relationship, and I could not be happier. He is smart, loyal, honest, kind, funny, and he possesses so many other wonderful qualities that I cannot name them all. Sure, we fight from time to time, but we always make up quickly. He is not a conventionally handsome man, but I love the way he looks, and it suits his personality well. I am so fortunate to have found him, and I am glad we are together.
I have been jobless since February, and until recently, I had been battling with unemployment. I have lost that battle, but I do have a victory otherwise. I have been accepted to graduate school at a local university. I am so thrilled to continue my education, and my boyfriend is supportive as well. So, that we be a bold new venture come August, but one I am only too thrilled to undertake.
Well, that sums up my experiences in the past year. I plan to write more often, and keep this thing up to date (as I intended to from the start) I have nothing more to say for now, except I am very happy where I am.
Until we meet again,
Operaghost1987