Jobs You Can Do At Home: Call Center Remote Agent

75
rate or flag this page

By Thursday Bram


The idea behind a call center is that a centralized office full of people answering telephones is the most efficient way to deal with a large quantity of phone calls. If that’s the case, how can call centers hire people to work from home?

They use remote agents – people working at home. Phone calls are directed to these remote agents, who answer them just as if they were working in a physical call center.

A remote agent works from home and uses various methods to communicate with a central platform. Two of the most common methods are ISDN digital subscriber lines or VoIP applications. You only need to know the basic differences here. Subscriber lines act pretty much like a regular phone line, although they’re more efficient and less expensive for companies routing large numbers of phone calls. VoIP, or Voice Over IP, applications are just pieces of software installed on a computer that allows you to take phone calls over your computer. VoIP applications are becoming more common every year and subscriber lines are beginning to die out. Most recruiters now require you to have your own computer and reliable internet access.

These days, remote agents can be expected to handle more than just phone calls at some companies. They can deal with e-mail or instant message inquiries as well. It all depends on the company you’re working for.

The majority of call centers do not directly employ their staffs; instead, they rely on companies like Arise to recruit, train and manage all those people answering phones. While this is great for the call centers, it can cause a few problems for the people doing all the work. One of the biggest issues is that many of those staffing call centers are treated as contractors, meaning that benefits, etc. are not available to them. Contractors are self-employed, and are required to file their own quarterly taxes, deal with FICA and Social Security and maintain accounting records.

Most recruiters have similar requirements for remote agents. A reliable personal computer and high-speed internet top the list. A headset with a microphone is also necessary - these range in price from $10 to $90 and should be corded and have a noise canceling microphone (Personally, I’d recommend something like this, because Logitech’s products are reliable and come with a warranty).

There are a few personal characteristics that can make you stand out as a remote agent. A pleasant phone manner is a given, but problem solving and multi-tasking can also be key. One of the most difficult to cultivate is the ability to give clear directions over the phone, since most agents will not be able to provide visuals with their phone calls.

Many call centers specifically recruit individuals who speak languages other than English or have specialized knowledge. Computer technical support is a good example.

No recruiter should ever charge you a fee to apply for a call center position. Those that do are running a scam.

Companies hiring remote agents:

Print   —   Rate it:  up  down  flag this hub

Comments

RSS for comments on this Hub

Marie Joseph  says:
2 years ago

Marie M. Josephmariemjoseph@bellsouth.net 638 Highpoint Way 678-289-6069McDonough Ga, 30253 678-849-6581 Career ObjectiveA well organize friendly and with a good communication skill individual looking for an opportunity to stay home with family and also be able to support her family. EducationBusiness Associate2008, AxiaCollege of University of Phoenix, PhoenixArizona, Experience 1. Windows 2. Executive support 3. Internet Explorer 4. MS Office Suite 5. E-mail 6. Organizational management Other Experience 7. Day Care & After Care Management 8. Planning 9. Human resources 10. People Management 11. Problem solving / follow-through 12. Interpersonal skills Employment HistoryConcord Nursing Home 03/1999- 05/2001Supervisor1. Refer resident to physical and occupation therapy.2. Responsibilities included ambulation rage of motion.3. Managed director's calendar arranged meetings and submitted progress report.4. Prepare interoffice and external correspondence, statements, and other documents. 5. Coordinate and prepare data entry and reporting.6. In-service for new employees. After Care Supervisor1 Ensure guidelines for work environment are met in the daily operation2 Develop daily reports for after care and ensure kids well being3 Arranged travel for director and maintain instructors submitted expense reports4 Coordinated meetings, prepared meeting materials & managed calendars5 Ensure after care program is in adherence with school policy DAYCARE AT HOME - McDonough, GA03/2003-07/2006 Day Care Supervisor 6 Managed children (age months to 6 years old) 7 Responsibilities included handing incoming parent service inquiries. 8 Managed and created schedule for kids Portfolio Available on Request

sylvan  says:
2 years ago

Thanks for the tips. I used to do telemarketing but on a purely commission basis, didn't go to well. I might take a crack at it in my spare time.

Bernard Campbell  says:
15 months ago

HI

PLEASE REPLY AS I AM INTRESTED IN THIS JOB HOME CALL CENTER.

REGARDS

BERNARD CAMPBELL

CELL#91-98859-03140

Kyra   says:
15 months ago

I am interest. My email is kyrah255281@gmail.com

Kyra

Jana Saxon  says:
14 months ago

Hello, This program can help you and they are legit!

Ann  says:
14 months ago

I am interested in this work from home position. Please contact me at my e-mail address. bsam726@aol.com with more info.

Girlie Abrigana  says:
13 months ago

Hi..I'm very interested to this job which is working at home. I write and speak fluent english. I am a college graduate with the course BS in NUrsing. It would be nice to hear from you..U may contact me through these numbers.. +639296199243 or +639239825526. Or You may email me in abrigana_girlie@yahoo.com. Thank you so much.

Anchie Brosas  says:
13 months ago

hello im so very interested for the work please reply this my email address chix_amazing18@yahoo.com

Steve  says:
13 months ago

I would like to work as a remote agent.Please reply to me at insom63@yahoo.com

Tyneisha  says:
13 months ago

Hello I'm Tyneisha I have 11 years Customer Service Call Center experience I have the right attitude and tone over the phone to make any company proud I've always wanted to work from home to take better care of my family Please email me at babydoll90016@aol.com I've been waiting for this for a very long time.

Thank you so much for your consideration.

sandy   says:
13 months ago

I am very interested in this position. I have the credentials required for customer service. Pls contact me smm726@hotmail.com

brenay  says:
12 months ago

hi !

i have a customer care and technical support experience with good typing speed, contact by email : jetomailx@aol.com

Adam Marshall  says:
12 months ago

Hi, I am very interested in your position that your looking to fill. This is something I have been looking for, for quite awhile now.

Contact by Email: a.marsh.all@hotmail.com

Contact by Cell Phone: (905) 483-4283

Thank you!

Melinda Roberts  says:
11 months ago

YES YOU GUYS SHOULD TRY WEST AT HOME I WORK FOR THEM THEY ARE A GREAT COMPANY AND THEY WILL HIRE NOW. AND QUESTIONS. PLEASE E-AMIL ME AT T_AND_M@CHARTER.NET

nhaven  says:
11 months ago

im really interested sontact me at nhaven_06@yahoo.com

Louise Nikki Asilo  says:
7 months ago

I would like to try being a remote agent.. i have worked with convergys for over 3 yrs and now in an international bank as inbound customer service representative. i am interested un this job... you may reach mte ay +639215437251 or +639166992759.

Loretta  says:
7 months ago

I am interested in this job my email address is lor234@comcast.net

Lisa  says:
5 months ago

check out www.ratracerebellion.com , www.wahm.com and www.workplacelikehome.com the last 2 links, go to the forum pages for hundreds of job leads. On workplacelikehome, you'll need to sign up to get access to the forum. ratrace has a comparison chart of over 77 companies for Cust Service/Call center jobs (click on the link on the left side of their page). Goodluck!!!!!

Sharon  says:
5 months ago

I am very interested in working as a remote agent. My email address is sharonburrell@charter.net

Mary  says:
4 months ago

I am very interested in the position, I have been working part time from home for the IRS, but it is only seasonal. Plus I have over 35 years experience in customer care, sales, management.

Mary  says:
4 months ago

I have over 35 years experience in customer service, sales & management. Also have been working from home the past 2 years for NTI / IRS as a remote agent, but that is only seasonal. maelark@hotmail.com

Parvez  says:
3 months ago

Hi this is Parvez and I am interested in doing this jobs I have one year experience in out bond. Now I am looking to work from home.

DEEPAK  says:
2 weeks ago

hi i am intrested to work with you please send me detail on my id. deepakmudgalx@gmail.com

Submit a Comment

Members and Guests

Sign in or sign up and post using a hubpages account.


optional


  • No HTML is allowed in comments, but URLs will be hyperlinked
  • Comments are not for promoting your hubs or other sites

working