Virtual Call Center Jobs: Work in Your Pajamas

Call centers throughout the US are looking at ways to cut costs. Some of them are moving their operations overseas. Others know that using foreign workers can alienate some US citizens who are uncomfortable sharing their credit card numbers with people in other countries. These companies look towards the growing trend of homesourcing their workers. For stay at home parents and others who no longer want to be stuck in the work force, these virtual call center jobs give them flexible scheduling the ability to process orders in pajamas.

With most virtual call center jobs, you are an independent contractor rather than an employee. This has advantages for both the company and the worker. The company saves money by not having as high as overhead costs and offering pay only when the call center agent is on the phone making money for the company. The at home worker benefits by scheduling the most convenient hours. If you want to take a vacation, it is far easier to schedule one. Although some companies have required hours for the at home workers, those that use independent contractors cannot set hours.

The demand for some virtual call center jobs is high, but most do not require experience. They, do, however require discipline. Virtual call center jobs must be treated as jobs if you want to succeed at them. Be consistent with your scheduling and take advantage of any resources the company has that could allow you to improve your performance.

What does one do when working for a virtual call center? The at home worker is connected to the call center through both the phone and the internet. Some companies take orders for infomercials. A customer watches an infomercial and calls the toll free number. That number is routed to at an home agent who answers the phone. On the computer, the correct script will pop up for the agent to follow. For many of the virtual call center jobs pay is issued for talk time. That is the time when you are talking on the phone to the customer, and not the time that you are available to work.

There are some disadvantages to working at a virtual call center job. You pay will often fluctuate with the season. If you take orders for products, you might be busy in the months before Christmas and then have a slow spell where you have to schedule twice as many hours for the same pay. No health insurance is issued to independent contractors. You are taxed as a business, so be sure to keep all receipts for your home office expenses.

A virtual call center job is not for everyone. It is great for stay-at-home parents, college students, people with no transportation, and others who just prefer to roll out of bed in the morning and start work in the same room.