BLOG: Finding career satisfaction in unlikely places

I was interested to read Jack Grimston’s article in the Times Online recently about the rise of graduates turning to call centres for employment during the recession (‘Press 3 for Graduate Jobs’). In it, he touches on something that we’ve been seeing increasingly over the past year – that the fear of joblessness has led growing numbers of university leavers to enter careers not traditionally regarded as suitable for those with a degree.

The article made me wonder why? Why is there this misconception that a graduate is “over qualified” for a career in a contact centre?

Perhaps the customer service industry has not historically been seen as a viable career path for graduates; however, this was at a time when the value of customer service itself was hugely underrated. In today’s commercial environment businesses are starting to place a premium on quality customer service, and as a result, there are excellent opportunities available for people looking to pursue a career in the sector.

Perceptions of employees at The Listening Company, including those with a degree and those who may have begun careers in other sectors, are changing. Rather than simply seeing their employment as temporary, they are continuing to recognise the promotional opportunities available to them and enjoy long term positions with the company.

Many employees who have come to work for the Listening Company did so following a recommendation of someone who already works with us – so we must be doing something right!

And it’s not just graduates who are turning to us, (and staying with us), for employment. We are continuing to receive CV’s from a range of people from different backgrounds who are looking to be considered for various positions throughout the company. So rather than turn your nose up at the idea of working for a contact centre, why not value the service they provide for the customer, and for the potentially unemployed.

by Neville Upton, Sep 18 2009, 11:50 AM