I TRIED TO GET AWAY...

THE SITUATION: "Have you ever resigned from a call center and tried looking for another job BUT yet you find yourself looking for the same job but another call center?" (edited) - Anonymous

Tsk tsk tsk. The answer is yes. Mind you...we are not alone. A lot of my friends and colleagues have jumped from one call center to another. I've heard agents talking about it during their smoke break or after their shift. They either talk about leaving and trying another job (totally out of the industry, say nursing), but after a few months or even a year, they're back!

The stress in the industry has created a lot of burnt out people in our generation. Everybody is just too tired or frustrated they can't get to the next level as fast as expected. We all try to stay and be martyrs hoping things are going to get better and then...boom! Your motivation drops and productivity takes a big dip. Next thing you know, you've given your resignation letter to your boss, saying "I've had it! I QUIT!"

So, why do we go back?

1) MONEY - still very good and nothing comparable to an ordinary industry especially those who are living in a third world country. Getting into an entry level job, with a few more zeroes is definitely tempting.

2) COOL ENVIRONMENT - young generation, spending money with friends and it's like college all over again. They come in flocks and they will leave in groups as well. They just love to be together and if one leaves, everybody will follow. There is always the "fun" part and incentives, why wouldn't you want to go back to that?

3) A LOT OF OPENINGS - the job is just available out there. You open the weekend paper and you see TONS of ads looking for call center personnel. It never ends. It's always there, anytime you want a job, all you have to do is pick, try it out, if you don't like it, then just move.

So despite of the stress and frustrations - people will always go back. It's not just being a martyr. It's life in itself.