Have you found your calling yet?

Wor k i n g in a call centre often has no set requirements, although you should have a good general standard of literacy, numeracy and IT skills.

Job interviews often include practical telephone and keyboard tests.

Some jobs may require more specialised knowledge. For example, for an IT support helpline job, you may need to have, or be willing to be trained for, a computer maintenance qualification.

Many colleges offer introductory courses in call centre techniques, which may help when looking for work.

Skills required for this career choice: • Excellent customer care skills • Excellent communication skills • A clear and friendly telephone voice Good IT skills What you’ll do You could work in a wide range of sectors, like: mail order companies – dealing with customer orders, credit and debit card payments, enquiries and complaints.

Financial institutions – advising about products and services, telesales and market research.

IT helplines – support for customers to try and help them fix computer problems.

Advisory services – offering callers ser vices such as counselling, welfare and benefits advice, legal information or help • • with careers.

You’ll usually access and update customers’ records on computer databases.

With experience, you may get extra responsibilities, like training, call monitoring and quality control.

Your starting salary is often around £13,500 to £16,000 and you may also receive bonuses and commission payments depending on your role.

Many companies offer fulltime or part- time hours or flexible working, sometimes on a shift system. Full-time jobs are normally 35 to 40 hours a week.

With experience and training, you could progress to team leader and management level.

You could also move into human resources, resource planning, marketing and training. MANY COLLEGES offer introductory courses in call centre techniques YOU COULD also use the skills acquired to move into human resources, resource planning, marketing and training