Advice on my new, terrible job

[pseudonym]

I've been unemployed since late Feb, and I recently (May 2012) took a job with an insurance company.

I was told that I would be making appointments for insurance agents. I thought it would be customer service (which is my specialty) and secretarial. However, after I took the job it turned out that I was a telemarketer cold-calling to sell insurance.

That's right, I'm one of those SOBs that call you during dinner and try to talk you into buying something you don't want.

I hate what I'm doing, but financially I can't afford to quit this job, so while I'm looking for something else I want to ask all of you: What can I say without being irritating and without losing my job?

I will be fired if I don't get X amount of people signed up each week.

I know that I would hang up on someone like me; what could I say to you that would at the very least negate the negativity and bring me to, at minimum, a neutral, potentially positive, level.

What I am offering is "A free, no obligation, competitive quote." Unfortunately, I know that the company I work for generally has higher prices than others, but also delivers a higher level of customer service.

Like I said, I hate to be the @#$hole who calls you during dinner (I work 3p-8p) but at the same time, if I lose this job, I'll lose my car, and I'll default on credit cards and student loans.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks everyone.

[Good Apollo]

Sometimes defaulting on everything, going through bankruptcy and getting a fresh start is a better alternative than doing something that makes you die a little on the inside every shift, @pseudonym ... But there's nothing you could say besides politely accepting that people do not enjoy being interrupted. Which you know.

Curious- you have student loans and are doing telemarketing so I am assuming that you are not working in your degree... Places like Starbucks are almos always hiring, if you have a degree and customer service experience you can apply to be an assistant manager or higher... Did that with little relevant experience and got a 35k a year job... Not same circumstances. But it sounds like you hate what you do. I'd pick bankruptcy or food service over telemarketing... Anyways good luck and no there's nothing to appeal to me, maybe someone out there has a magic bullet.

[Roswell1947]

What kind of insurance? Term life??

[Demona]

People like free incorporate a short pitch before you get to the sales where you start by saying something like:
Hello sir/madam, do you enjoy saving money? Are you worried about sacrificing your comfort to save a few pennies?
I am calling to offer you a FREE chance to not only save more money on your future (whatever insurance is for) but to help you maintain the quality of that care. Blah Blah Blah....

There's a start of some sort. I don't know that it would keep me on the phone for sure but you'd have my interest until you got to your pitch because I'm an avid bargain shopper & couponer. You need to play up the idea your insurance is like buying Coach at Kmart prices. You know it's not the cheapest but you know your service is great...you don't have to tell me you know it's not the cheapest.

[ClaraBell]

I worked in telesales for a bit back when I was a student. Since I was a student at the time, my main coping strategies were being perma-stoned and having an insane tryst with a colleague. Fun times.

As for the actual work, if you're not terrible at it, the law of averages suggest you'll get through to enough people each week to keep going. The less you sound like you care, the more likely those few people will go for the appointment. There's nothing you can do to be less irritating, most people find the very fact that you called offensive; I imagine given your attitude and this post, you're already way less annoying than someone who actually wants and enjoys the job. Sorry I can't be more help - good luck finding a new job!

[billyboy1965]

I know that I would hang up on someone like me; what could I say to you that would at the very least negate the negativity and bring me to, at minimum, a neutral, potentially positive, level.

Are you required to read from a script? Do you have any leeway? Are the calls recorded?

Sounds like a P & C business.

Are you comfortable and confident when you make the call? I used to market with a limited number of cold calls about 12 - 13 years ago. I had people who had "phone phobia." Does it piss you off when they hang up on you? If that or phone phobia is in the mix, get over it.

When I reach out to clients, I always identify myself (required by law) and promptly say something like "I hope I'm not calling you at a bad time, but I won't hold you long."

If they say "yes," I apologize and ask if I can call at a better time. If they say you " nope," you wouldn't have been successful anyway.

If they say "no," it will enhance your confidence.

If I'm not sure how to pronounce the name, I don't make the call.

Also keep in mind, if they haven't put themselves on the "do not call list" (and I'm hoping your company scrubs their prospect lists), they left themselves open and are used to dealing with it.

As much as you hate it, you will learn people skills from this. When you're applying for other jobs and the recruiter or employer sees that you were one of those SOB's, they'll respect you for it. It ain't easy.

Don't quit. If it's not working for you they'll terminate you. If another company calls your company, all that company is legally required to say is, "I can verify that "you" were employed from May 2012 to August 2012. They shouldn't release why you terminated.

I always recommend keeping the job until you find something better. Don't stop the search.

[TenaciousE]

If they terminate you would you qualify for unemployment?

[H20shed65]

@pseudonym

Telemarketing is a tough job! But just like sales, keep in mind you are going to have to get through 100 NOs before you get to 1 YES. The previous poster is correct, that the law of averages says that if you make enough calls, you'll land a few sales. If, in fact, you yourself are NOT selling anything( but rather trying to schedule an appointment, so that someone else can sell them) this is always a good line to lead with.( I'm not selling anything or this is not a sales call) While a bit dishonest, it may buy you the 20-30 seconds you will need to make your pitch. Have you also considered finding out who among your coworkers has a great track record and then taking this person to lunch to pick their brain?

Most importantly, DO NOT TAKE IT PERSONALLY when people are rude or hang up on you. It will get in your head and other prospective customers will hear the sound of defeat in your voice, even if they can't see you.

Good Luck!

[pseudonym]

Thank you everyone for your help! I feel better now. Let me give you a little background:

I've been in retail for 11 years now. I took a new job as an Asst. Store Manager at a grocery store in Jan 2012. I worked the job for a few weeks and then I unfortunately slipped on some ice at home and broke my foot. I was then unable to perform aspects of my job. I was still in the 90 day probationary period and the Store Manager basically said that he needed someone who could do the job right now. I ended up resigning in mid-late Feb.

I had been living off savings and trying to find another job until this month, May 2012, when I went to a temp agency and they offered me this. I get paid 13.50/hour, 24 hours/week. I feel this is fairly good pay for a job through a temp agency.

My bills and living expenses are around 1200 per month so this job just barely covers that.

I'm going to use your suggestions to make the best out of this job and continue looking for something better...perhaps at Starbucks...

Thanks again and keep the suggestions coming; I really appreciate your support.

[Roswell1947]

Perhaps sign up with several temp agencies.
If you have a car and phone it's a big plus.

[IGoeOn]

I would recommend that you do what you need to in order to keep this job - I would not suggest that you default on your current loans. Bankruptcy laws have changed - many times people are now responsible for paying off their debt as they move forward. There was an article in Forbes a couple of years ago that explained the different types of bankruptcy (different chapters) and indicated who is a good candidate for declaring. It's a good read.

I read that you work from 3pm-8pm. I would be actively looking for another position while you still have this job if your schedule will permit it. 9-3 is a lot of time to be searching for something that fits better.

I used to have to cold call customers when I sold cars. I would be in this large room with a list of everyone who had ever purchased a Honda - asking them if they needed a new car, we have a great leasing program this month, etc. It was a nightmare. I feel your pain. Good luck!!!

[Kelly15120]

Thank you everyone for your help! I feel better now. Let me give you a little background:

I've been in retail for 11 years now. I took a new job as an Asst. Store Manager at a grocery store in Jan 2012. I worked the job for a few weeks and then I unfortunately slipped on some ice at home and broke my foot. I was then unable to perform aspects of my job. I was still in the 90 day probationary period and the Store Manager basically said that he needed someone who could do the job right now. I ended up resigning in mid-late Feb.

I had been living off savings and trying to find another job until this month, May 2012, when I went to a temp agency and they offered me this. I get paid 13.50/hour, 24 hours/week. I feel this is fairly good pay for a job through a temp agency.

My bills and living expenses are around 1200 per month so this job just barely covers that.

I'm going to use your suggestions to make the best out of this job and continue looking for something better...perhaps at Starbucks...

Thanks again and keep the suggestions coming; I really appreciate your support.

God bless you....13.50 an hour full time is only 27,000 a year and your working half that!! In ur situation I would do what u have to do....grind and make that money until u get a job u want.

[msaok]

<snip>
Like I said, I hate to be the @#$hole who calls you during dinner (I work 3p-8p) but at the same time, if I lose this job, I'll lose my car, and I'll default on credit cards and student loans.
Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks everyone.

Right now, there's a pretty big demand for caregivers of physically and/or memory impaired adults who need assistance, both in communities and in private homes. One way to learn about these is to search as if you are a consumer looking for care for your loved one. The websites have links for career opportunities, and some agencies provide training. I've also seen desperate ads on craigslist by folks looking to set up care privately.
There's flexibility and cash in it.....and maybe even something more for a person who'd fret about interrupting a family's dinner
Just a thought.

[adrim]

When I was unemployed, I took a job that I did not like. A few months of doing this job, I decided that I did not want to continue anymore and on the side, I decided to take temp jobs on my days off. Luckily for me, one of the temp jobs panned out and I ended up being offered a full time permanent position.

It's very hard in this economy but hang in there. Try other options on your free time. A little patience will get you a long way. I've been told many times that because I was willing to do two jobs, the employer liked my work ethic.

Good luck!

[Good Apollo]

@pseudonym sent you pm on sbux thing don't think just that though- peets, McDonald's, BK all food service / customer service if you have a degree and work experience pay a decent wage for assistant and up... Depends where you live to though.

[pseudonym]

Thanks again for your support everyone! @nopizza , I have an interview next Monday with Starbucks! I'm pretty excited; wish me luck! Also, if you get a call from Farmer's Insurance and the person identifies himself as Chris, please humor me. I'm not doing it because I want to; I'm doing it because I have to.

As I said earlier, if I don't make a minimum of $1200/month net, I'll lose my car, my apartment, and default on my credit cards, student loans, cell phone, etc.

Also, if you get a telemarketing call from someone else, please cut them some slack. If they are anything like me, they certainly aren't enjoying it...they're doing it to make ends meet.

I'm embarrassed to say, the reason you haven't seen me post any vendor reviews in awhile, is because I have turned to alcohol because I can't afford the medication I need. In another thread I told you all that my Dr. was prescribing me an anti-anxiety medication for about 2 years, then all of a sudden she decided to stop prescribing. And, unfortunately the only thing that comes close is alcohol.

Also, I would recommend that no one ever, under any circumstances, do what I did. In most cases, it would be better to deal with panic attacks and anxiety than turning to alcohol. Alcohol is terrible and it never stops...

It sucks because I can't take it during the day, but it's all I think about until I get home. When I took benzos, it was between one time per week and an absolute, occasional, max of three times per week. Now, I drink everyday and wait until things get better.

Thank you everyone.

[Good Apollo]

@pseudonym ; I am so happy you got an interview scheduled!! Was it an in person or phone interview, and what position did you apply for? I am going to send you a pm with a heads up on what sorts of info they're looking for- not a cheat sheet but just a little prep of what a sbux interview looks a little like.

[Demona]

The suggestion for multiple temp agencies is very smart.
I did temp work four almost 3 years and being on board with 2 or even 3 places gives you a competitive edge.
Example: One place offered me 8.00 an hour full time, the place I normally worked for called with a job at 7.75 and I said "no. Sorry I'm working for () temp agency at the moment."
"Oh, what are they giving you?"
"9.00 an hour" Yep, I lied.
"Hmm, give me a day or two to call you back or are you on contract for this job long term?"
"No longer than any other with one of you folks. Thanks."
Within 2 hours, new call. "We just had an opening for 10.50 an hour starting Monday, can you let the other place know and start then?"
"Sure can."
I also did NOT tell them the job was ending on Friday anyway :P

I'd also be honest if you hate the telemarketing job and tell the agency. They will reassign you to something else that fits your skill set. Especially if you tested well on other things like typing, have experience with programs/data entry/ or phones as in receptionist.

[Good Apollo]

@pseudonym just wrote you an essay- good luck!!!!!!! Lemme know via pm if you have any questions about what I wrote.

[pseudonym]

@nopizza --I put in the application online several days ago. Today I called the store and introduced myself. The store manager seemed very excited that I had called; she said that another store had already "locked" my application but that she could pull it since I took the initiative and called her.

I applied for shift manager and barista, as those were the positions that they are currently hiring for in my area (I live in a very rural area, so there are maybe one Starbucks or less per town within driving distance, approximately 1-1.5 hours is my max drive time, unless they offer me enough $ to make it worth it.)

I look forward to your pm--I'm going to bed now so I might not respond for a day or two...but thanks for everything!

*This post was auto-merged. The following text was added 8 minutes after the last post:*
@nopizza --I just got your pm, thank you very much. I'll certainly make sure I'm prepared for Monday.
@Demona --Thanks for the temp agency advice. I'm hoping I either get something full time with Starbucks, or that I'm able to work part time with an agency and part time with Sbux, McD, BK, etc.

And a huge thank you to everyone that I didn't mention. I have read every response on this thread and I have found it quite helpful. I am very impressed by the generosity and helpfulness of all the members on this forum.

Goodnight everyone!