Antiwork

Late last year I took a job at a local 'call center.' I was repeatedly, specifically asking about the job, was it sales, was it outbound calling, which I won't do. No, they explained, it's “retention,” you get incoming customer calls and help them modify their internet, cable TV, hardline phone, mobile phone details. Sure, you might try and get them a package they want so they don't cancel, you might offer to sell them a mobile phone package, but it's not direct sales. It was fairly complex to learn because the software/system is a PITA and often doesn't work for no apparent reason and takes forever. But it went ok, and the customers are my favorite part, even when they're mad. We've all been there. I do everything I can to make them happy or at least feel better and maybe get a chuckle before they hang up with…