Not so fast!
We have been having increasing numbers of inquiries as to when the Minacs Call Center will open and what the requirements for the call center agents will be. The answer to the first question is, we don’t know. But to the second question, we know quite a handful.
First of all, the call center will not just need call center agents. Equally important support staff, IT people and maintenance guys, just to name a few, will also be in demand.
But let’s focus on the call center agents.
1. You need to have a very good level of English Proficiency. The confidently conversational type where you can express how wonderful that last Hollywood blockbuster was, or how effectively you can describe how “System Restore” works in Microsoft Windows Operating Systems.
2. This means that you must have zero to minimal grammatical errors and a decent set of vocabulary. If you are the type that “runs out of English” or “nosebleeds when speaking English”, now is the best time to start reviewing and perfecting your grammar, vocabulary and accent.
3. You should have a good grasp of what a call center agent does. Just because it is a decent paying job and that you need one doesn’t make you qualified.
4. You should be able to work on shifting schedules, usually, during the graveyard shift. Remember that call centers service mainly the continental US. When it’s daytime for them over there, the moon’s a sailing back here. If you value your beauty sleep, this is not for you.
5. You should be computer literate – at least a good working knowledge of some Microsoft Office Tools (not that we like it all that much). If you still have trouble with simple word processing and if you type like a kid off a NIDO commercial, you’d better rush to your nearest internet “kape” for some tutorials. Beware that some “bantays” don’t know squat either as they spend most of their time playing A Perfect World.
6. You should have an outstanding resume – one that contains a decent amount of work/ professional/ related experience. If you used to be a “kubrador”, maybe let’s keep it a secret for now. And no worries, we have no idea how to describe it in English either.
What you can do.
1. Start reading more English newspapers, books and magazines. Even Maxim and FHM have a few witty English expressions that we find amusing.
2. Find some learning resources online. Our partner http://englishero.blogspot.com/ offers useful and insightful tips on how to improve your English skills.
3. Practice daily…or nightly… or whenever you find the time. http://silvertrainer.co.nr/ has a good collection of random English grammar and vocabulary quizzes.
4. Enroll in a good English Proficiency School. There’s no use for all the lessons you have learned if you have no interaction with people with the same interest. Immersion is one of the most, if not THE most effective way of learning English. GlobalSkills Institute in Urdaneta City provides state of the art yet highly affordable English classes for aspiring call center agents.
5. Brush up on your computer skills. Spend more time in front of a computer and try to learn more things about it. When in doubt, use Google.
6. Lastly, spice up your resume. It is your first crack into any job and as your advance representative; it should do a good job selling you so that the hiring manager may consider calling you in for an interview. That’s one foot in the door. Silvertrainer is also offering to fix your resumes for free. More details here: http://silvertrainer.50g.com/resume.html
With the recent turn of events as SM had a change of heart, we can’t help but feel like we are still vulnerable to a similar disappointment, so we are tightly keeping our fingers crossed and praying like mad that this project by Minacs is successfully completed. A humongous bagful of opportunities await those who prepare and properly position themselves when this thing finally opens.
Ikaw probisyano, this is your chance to have a piece of the action that is globalization. Huwag nang palampasin!
Coming soon - some interview tips and tricks.
This is an original publication of Urdaneta.mulitservers.com
Comments