OpenContact: More than "just a job" for call centre agent Gillian....

Working at OpenContact has provided 51-year-old Gillian Blakely, from Thorpe St Andrew, with a very satisfying job. 
 
"A man phoned up the other day and complimented me because he said that I had a smile in my voice - and that comes from working in such a great atmosphere," she said.  
 
Working for a diverse range of companies, OpenContact supplies a range of contact centre and mailing services, from acting as a virtual reception and call centre, to data management. 
 
Gillian, who was taken on as an agent in May 2007, handles calls for a variety of clients looking to book tourism and leisure products. These can range from a weekend break building bat boxes for the National Trust, to seeing Father Christmas at Lapland UK, to swinging through the tree tops with Go Ape. 
 
Gillian came to OpenContact looking for job satisfaction after previous roles in personnel and as a call centre agent for KLM.  
 
"I received a mailshot about OpenContact, so I rang them up to enquire about jobs," she said.  
 
"Everyone was so welcoming. There's always a fear that comes with a new job, especially being older, but all the staff were really lovely.  
 
"The call centre environment here can be for any age group and we have everyone from 18 to 60-year-olds. 
 
"There are also so many benefits that go along with working here, from free fruit on a Monday, to discounted breaks away and even a masseuse who comes into the office to give massages and hot stone therapy." 
 
With an ethos of commitment, loyalty and honesty, OpenContact prides itself on standing out as a friendly and supportive business that fosters a happy work environment and friendly work and management style. This is reflected in the company's staff turnover of 17pc, compared with the 54pc national average for outsorcing.  
 
No formal qualifications are required for OpenContact agents, but customer service experience is a great bonus. Candidates must also have a friendly personality and be approachable, flexible and adaptable. 
 
Progression within the company can also be vertical or lateral, with excellent training opportunities available. "I can go on to become deputy supervisor or to the sales team. There's plenty of scope for progression and you can develop well," said Gillian. 
 
"As soon as you join you're trained for two to three days on the products you will be selling. The training's really good and they take all personality types into account." 
 
She added: "Now I love talking to and helping people and it's great to chat to someone who is looking to book an adventure.  
 
"I've even had people on the phone crying with delight when I've managed to get them that special trip. It's really satisfying and definitely provides great job fulfilment," she said.

Click here to visit OpenContact's outsource call centre career's page >>>