[Luxray]

I finally managed to get a part-time job, yesterday was my first day and it didn't go too bad. It's may not be very ethical but I really could do with some experience and money over the summer. The manager hasn't actually got me to fill any paperwork like a contract or anything to say when I was being paid which I thought was odd.

Anyway some people are actually quite nice about it when you ring but obviously about 95% either put the phone down quickly or get pissed off (understandably). I feel a bit on edge because I have to meet targets which seem near impossible to achieve.

Anyone else here had experience with being a cold caller? Got any advice?

[barnetlad]

No. I'm sorry you've not been able to find another job.

I'd make the directors phone numbers of any company that engages in cold calling publicly available, both landline and mobile.

[Luxray]

(Original post by barnetlad)
No. I'm sorry you've not been able to find another job.

I'd make the directors phone numbers of any company that engages in cold calling publicly available, both landline and mobile.

Hahah!
I hate them as much as you do, the answer-machine type cold calls are the worst!

[PrincePauper]

Its a numbers game, keep calling and calling. and always remember, 3 no's can still be converted into a yes

[Student2806]

I did cold calling for a while (here in Australia), but only after I'd exhausted every other possibility - and I got out as soon as I could.

I absolutely hated every second of it - for all they say "you've got to be able to handle the rejection", even the strongest will in the world gets worn down when you're being rejected (and many times verbally abused) hundreds, if not thousands, of times a shift in the hope that just a couple of people in 6 hours say yes. It was bloody awful.
I now have a much healthier regard for cold callers, and try to show them a bit of respect. I've been in their position, and it isn't easy.

[Luxray]

(Original post by Student2806)
I did cold calling for a while (here in Australia), but only after I'd exhausted every other possibility - and I got out as soon as I could.

I absolutely hated every second of it - for all they say "you've got to be able to handle the rejection", even the strongest will in the world gets worn down when you're being rejected (and many times verbally abused) hundreds, if not thousands, of times a shift in the hope that just a couple of people in 6 hours say yes. It was bloody awful.
I now have a much healthier regard for cold callers, and try to show them a bit of respect. I've been in their position, and it isn't easy.

I don't hate it, yet! I think what is frustrating me a little is that other people have had more 'sales' (i do surveys) than me and its boring when nobody completes a survey.

[Luxray]

(Original post by PrincePauper)
Its a numbers game, keep calling and calling. and always remember, 3 no's can still be converted into a yes

The problem is its like 20 no's then eventually someone says yes.

[MQ003C]

Ah cold calling was the worst job I've ever had. I had to call to revert old BT customers back to BT. It was very hard, crap hours 1 to 9 and the pay wasn't great either. The first week I was making sales well but I just got lucky to be honest because after that it was so difficult to make a sale and they laid me off but I was relieved I'd never want to do such a job again.

If you're sticking through it though, keep making calls, have a friendly disposition and you'll reach your quota for the day. You may have an ass for a manager who demands too much but just focus on reaching your target. It's not a very enriching job but you have to make the most of it. Talk to your colleagues when you get a chance it'll make things more bearable. Don't look at the clock because sometimes the day goes so slow and it'll make things harder. Just hang in there!

[Luxray]

(Original post by MQ003C)
Ah cold calling was the worst job I've ever had. I had to call to revert old BT customers back to BT. It was very hard, crap hours 1 to 9 and the pay wasn't great either. The first week I was making sales well but I just got lucky to be honest because after that it was so difficult to make a sale and they laid me off but I was relieved I'd never want to do such a job again.

If you're sticking through it though, keep making calls, have a friendly disposition and you'll reach your quota for the day. You may have an ass for a manager who demands too much but just focus on reaching your target. It's not a very enriching job but you have to make the most of it. Talk to your colleagues when you get a chance it'll make things more bearable. Don't look at the clock because sometimes the day goes so slow and it'll make things harder. Just hang in there!

Yeah thats what I've been doing so far, trying to keep my 'telephone voice' on throughout every call. Also is it just me or do people seem to react more positively towards the girls who cold call.

[stormstar]

I've had a similar experience to yourself. I got a job with a charity which involved cold calling asking for donations. You're right 95% would cut the call or swear etc, whereas 5%would actually donate!

It is a bit odd though you haven't got any official documents, although sometimes it takes a week or so for the paperwork to be up and running.

[Luxray]

(Original post by stormstar)
I've had a similar experience to yourself. I got a job with a charity which involved cold calling asking for donations. You're right 95% would cut the call or swear etc, whereas 5%would actually donate!

It is a bit odd though you haven't got any official documents, although sometimes it takes a week or so for the paperwork to be up and running.

I'm going to ask the manager today and say 'Do I have a contract that I need to sign or anything?'

[diamondsky99]

I've done it with double glazing. Horrible job. The hourly 'pep talks' were aggressive and we were constantly hounded by targets to reach. You got laid off for a week if you didn't get any acceptances for the 'free quote' you were offering. I have a lot more patience with those who phone me up now, I'll never be rude to them and always list for about 30 seconds so as to bump their 'telephone time' up.

[cool pilot dude]

(Original post by Luxray)
I finally managed to get a part-time job, yesterday was my first day and it didn't go too bad. It's may not be very ethical but I really could do with some experience and money over the summer. The manager hasn't actually got me to fill any paperwork like a contract or anything to say when I was being paid which I thought was odd.

Anyway some people are actually quite nice about it when you ring but obviously about 95% either put the phone down quickly or get pissed off (understandably). I feel a bit on edge because I have to meet targets which seem near impossible to achieve.

Anyone else here had experience with being a cold caller? Got any advice?

I was a cold caller caller when I got bored last summer, and did an apprenticeship in ''customer service''.

My job was all about cold calling and getting people to do surveys. It was quite boring and tiring.... But it was the other 16-18 year olds which I worked with and the managers which made it a fun job! plus, as I like to be annoying, it gave me the chance to annoy strangers all over the UK!

The first day I got on the phones, I was quite nervous. There was a little script which gave you an idea what to say. I remember all the profanity that wa sthrown at me on the first day which was funny but also, profanity and other things were said to me during my time doing this job.

The people who rude to me on the phones, I would put them in the call back system on purpose there was this one number which was really weird! when it would answer, it used to play the song: you should let me love you by mario. So, I put a note on the call back list saying jam to this tune :P and all my buddies were calling this number when tehy were bored. I remember I had a gay guy trying to pick me up! he was like: can I have your number? and I said: you do know Im a guy? and he was like yeah, but I really want your number or email and be freinds and maybe much more I was like sorry, but its against the rules and shut down the phone.... I also discovered that the UK has alot of moody people for example, when one guy told me he was obtaining his pilot license, I was like oh wow, I want to be a pilot. And he was like okay..... there was also a guy who told me: do you knw what is on tv now?! and I was like: uhhh wimbledon? and he was like, exactly! and put the phone down on my face... oh, there was another guy who told me: whats the company and number ur calling from! Im want to sue you! blah blah blah! and he said get your manager! so I said okay (in an annoying way ) and my manager said just disconnect the call

But tehre are also really nice people and you could learn sooo much interesting things! for example, there was this really nice 90 year old women who I enjoyed speaking to. She said she used to be a P.E. teacher and that she was hoping to live up to a 100 there was also a women who gave me some of her family history and said that some of her ancestors were colonist and that they mixed with pakistani women during the colonial peroid and that she had pakistani blood, but did not look pakistani etc...

So for writing sooo muchh!!!

But anyways, I think it will be enjoyable if you have the right collegues who make the job into a laugh and great managers! also, having an annoying side to you will be helpful as just think to yourself, your being paid to be annoying really get people to stay on the phones by having an outgoing personality and building rapport (there was this one girl who was speaking to an 80 year old man for 30 minutes! he wouldn't get off the phone and was just talking about himself, his life etc...) and remember, the don't know you and you don't know them, so, don't be afraid or whatever....

Hope I helped!

P.S. tell them that they will not be contacted again once they have completed the questions and get a voucher or whatever....

[mrshinyshoes]

(Original post by barnetlad)
No. I'm sorry you've not been able to find another job.

I'd make the directors phone numbers of any company that engages in cold calling publicly available, both landline and mobile.

aha yessss best idea ever!

see how they like it

[Luxray]

(Original post by saey)
It seems really odd that no paperwork has been filled out. Have you been paid yet?
Be wary of that. I'm 99% sure that if you're working for a large firm there will be paperwork.

I'm rather pissed off, I just found out from another worker there that I'm actually on a trial right now so if I don't pass this trial which is basically 20 hours or something of work then I don't get the job and I don't even get paid for these trial hours.
Thats probably why I havent had any paperwork. I wish the manager made that clear at the beginning. Also she hasn't even included any of the training within the hours so I feel like I'm working even more hours. Really am not happy right now, the job itself is boring but these circumstances have made it worse. Argh.

[Luxray]

(Original post by cool pilot dude)
I was a cold caller caller when I got bored last summer, and did an apprenticeship in ''customer service''.

Hope I helped!

You seem to have enjoyed it then, I've been there for two days and there isnt much chance to speak to the workers because everyone is on the phone and has short breaks at different times, I say the odd hello, hows it going but thats all for now.
I personally feel rude for bothering people especially old people but when people do say yes then they are normally very nice and I have a nice chat with them but this is after like 20 or so calls. And man its so boring now. Also found out that my first 20 hours are just trial so I might not get paid for them if I dont meet the target. Bloody hell.

[Annie72]

Eurghhh I really hate cold callers..well not them personally but you know what I mean.I know they're only trying to earn some money, but really if I wanted new windows, a new kitchen, to support a charity, sort out my will,claim for PPI etc,etc I would sort it out myself.

Saying that I have caller display on my home landline and if it's a number I dont recognise I dont answer the phone.

[Bellissima]

i always make sure to be nice to cold callers because it must be an awful job... and people are so rude to them... it's their JOB! some people act as if they are making a personal attack on them or doing it for a laugh...


i don't really know what to suggest because i always say no to them, but maybe make it clear from the off that you aren't selling anything.

[Luxray]

(Original post by Bellissima)
i always make sure to be nice to cold callers because it must be an awful job... and people are so rude to them... it's their JOB! some people act as if they are making a personal attack on them or doing it for a laugh...


i don't really know what to suggest because i always say no to them, but maybe make it clear from the off that you aren't selling anything.

It's pretty soul destroying
I always try acting happy and I say they are under no obligation to say yes to anything after I start the survey. I found out that I'm on a trial basis today, manager conveniently never told me this at the start so I'm pretty pissed off that this whole week may be for nothing and I won't get paid

[Bellissima]

(Original post by Luxray)
It's pretty soul destroying
I always try acting happy and I say they are under no obligation to say yes to anything after I start the survey. I found out that I'm on a trial basis today, manager conveniently never told me this at the start so I'm pretty pissed off that this whole week may be for nothing and I won't get paid

wow really??? that's not right! if you aren't paid you should go to citizens advice bureau and ask them if anything can be done... that's not on!