A couple vacancies recently opened up at my call center university job. Two part-timers were hired to fill those slots. I was pulled aside by the department head and asked (along with another coworker) to be the newbies' mentor.
Why me? I thought. I'm just part-time myself and have only been there over a year-and-a-half. Some call center agents have been there for five and six years.
I was told it's because out of everyone, me and the other agent are the most even-keeled on the phones and we follow protocol. He wants the new hires to learn the correct way to answer the phones.
A part of me was annoyed.
A full-time opening in our department was available a couple months back but another part-timer was picked over me. And with my other part-time university position (night job), I work 40 hours each week but without full-time benefits.
It's just another way I'm being taken advantage of.
And yet, I was quite flattered and proud to be chosen to help train the new crew. Everyone has been very supportive and kind to me in both departments and this is a way to pay that forward.
So for the next six weeks, each new call center agent will sit with me (and our other coworker), listening in on and observing our phone calls. I'll show them as much as I can and help them so their transition on the phones will be an easy one. We'll see how it goes.
Time to mentor!
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4 comments:
You missed a golden opportunity during the mentor discussion to say that if you're one of the more "even keeled" call center people, why weren't you considered more seriously for the full time job?
**Warning - job advice from me is worth every penny you pay for it. **
carlnepa!
I asked why I was passed over back when they initially informed me I didn't get the full-time position.
My boss cited my occasional tardiness (never more than a few minutes though!) and that the other coworker had a higher college degree than me (does one need a major degree to answer phones???).
If anything, being a mentor to the new staff will better my chances should an opening pop up again in this department or elsewhere in the university.
-Dean
It's definitely a metaphorical feather in your figurative cap. You're rightly pleased to have your good work recognized; and it should be very useful to point to the next time a full time job opens up. Good news! Congratulations!
naturgesetz!
I appreciate the supportive words from you, sir!
-Dean
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