Need help
I've been working in retail for many years now. I have thought about changing career paths, yet did nothing. Now I'm in a situation where I need to change for health reasons. I have recently developed acute tendinitis in my right ankle and been on temporary disability. Even though I am recovering, the fact is standing on my feet for 8, 10 or even 12 hours a day won't be possible or healthy for me. I am now looking for new options, but no college degree or training in other fields makes it difficult and confusing. I am toying with the idea of online training or degree. But that takes time (and money). I need a job now but don't want to jump into too fast. Any advice for me ?
Tagrog,
Assuming you were on the front lines, a history in retail would provide you with strong customer service skills. With that, I would think you'd easily be able to get a job in a call center. You didn't say what you're interested in, and while a call center job might not be ideal, it should be fairly easy to get into, and would get you off your feet in a hurry. Well, with all due respect to Stumptown, don't do call centers. The environment is not at al healthy, the people on the phones use you as a verbal punching bag and you are tethered to the phone and your desk. Granted in retail, the customers care apt to take their bad day out on you, but they are less apt to use foul language. Person to person, an irate customer is less likely to get violent. On the phone, a person slams the phone in your ear. Since standing is a problem at this stage, consider secretary, receptionist, data entry, typist and positions of that nature. While you are in an entry level position like that, take some on-line courses in a subject that is of more interest to you. Although I agree with Kelly that call centers are tough, if you're the right fit for a call center it can be a great thing. Generally there is a lot of churn in call centers so it you can stick it out you can advance quickly. Call centers are definitely desk jobs, you will not be on your bad foot. As a matter of fact, a trip to the photocopier will be the highlight of your day! Call centers are VERY structured. They want you there in your seat ready to answer the call at the stroke of (whenever your shift starts). Not coming in the door and taking off your hat and coat, getting your coffee. Breaks are on a strict schedule, you go when you're told, not when you want. Many have mandatory overtime during busy seasons or after holidays. If you can handle that, as I said, you can move up in a year or so and become a supervisor. Since you've been in retail for a while, I think you probably could handle it as there are many similarities. It can also be a doorway into other parts of a company. Most businesses have call centers attached. So if you're the CSR for the gasoline credit card division, after a year you can post for a job in the marketing department of the gasoline company (for example). It would also give you the breathing room to get yourself into school, even community college for an AA degree would really help your future employability. Most schools have evening/weekend programs that you could get into. Tess Thank you everyone for your advice. I never thought about call centers because I assumed they were like telemarketing. Well, you know what they about assuming. In response to StumptownBoy's letter. I am a manager and am always deal with the customers, the front line, doing sales and customer service. Dealing with customer's problems has always been one of my strengths. I actually had one customer hug me after I dealt with her problem. Also in response to what I want to do instead of sales, it's technology. I have always had an interest, first with stereos and later on with computers. I went to college for audio engineering although only did a year.I know I need more training and that's why I want to go to school. I will look into the call centers and also have been considering the receptionist idea. So thank you StumptownBoy,kelly_3214, and tmsmalley for your responses. | |
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