The last three weeks had been an ultimate challenge for me. I was hired for a Team Lead post in one of the biggest call center, not just in the Philippines, but also in the US. The compensation offer was not bad, and the promise for career growth is hugely tempting. Two days in the leadership training, I was confirmed by the program’s senior manager that I will be flying to the US for further product training since I already have a multiple visa. The said training is necessary in the migration process of the account since it’s going to be a pioneer program in the center’s site.
On the other hand, at the same time I started with the company, I was also hired to work full-time by one of the buyers in Odesk. The job requires 8 hours to work from home. And if by doing the math, it appears I am gonna be earning exactly the same—if not more—than what the contact center offered me. Another thing, with the work-from-home job I got, not only will I conveniently breathe, eat, and work at home, I will also be doing exactly what I am good at doing, which is writing.
Because I couldn’t give up any, I decided to still report in the training class during the evening, and then work with my home-based client in the morning as soon as I get home. The first four days proved very tiring, and while four days may not be enough reason to give up one promising job, I made the decision—and that is to go for some Odesk work.
Some people may be quick to say how stupid I’d been to give up a guaranteed employment with a physical office. A company that offers opportunities envied by many contact center slaves. A company that almost everyone I know would do everything just to get their feet in their recruitment facility. Nonetheless, those were not enough reasons for me to just let go of something I have waited for years.
I have worked in the call center for more than 6 years. I’ve worked in an office with years of grave yard shifts, answering volumes of contacts, dealing with irate individuals, working with easy to difficult bosses, and nice to demanding clients. I know the numbers and what they represent, and how to achieve the ones that will make you keep your job. Those were all extremely challenging, but I never have done the kind of work I have been so passionate about that I’d be more than willing to give up a fat paycheck.
Now is the time and I got that with Odesk. I am only working for 3 weeks and so far quite satisfied with what I am earning. Hard to believe yes, but I’m gonna be sure to blog more about my Odesk experience in the coming days.
For now, I just want to give myself the kind of KUDOS I didn’t receive despite all the hard work I’ve had as a Customer Service Agent and eventually the Program Supervisor during my call center experience. And to be honest, it feels damn great!
Hi Wandergirl, this is Nicole from vWorker.com (formerly known as Rentacoder.com). Congratulations on your move to online work! The workplace can be a zoo sometimes, which prompts individuals like me and you to freelance.
Do you also have an account with vWorker? Like oDesk, vWorker provides access to a wide variety of jobs, but the services at oDesk could limit that success. Consider the following:
1. oDesk doesn’t provide escrowing and arbitration on pay-for-deliverables jobs, thus no guaranteed payment. But vWorker provides escrow and guarantees payment on all jobs.
2. Odesk requires that you simultaneously remember to move your mouse every minute or so, and if you don’t, you are not guaranteed payment. So you can choose to be constantly interrupted (and perhaps distracted and frustrated), or forgo the payment guarantee. There are no such restrictions at vWorker.
You can find more about oDesk is in this link: http://bit.ly/c6UM0w
If you have any questions, feel free to call in to talk to a facilitator 7 days a week, or send email throught the site’s feedback form.
Hi! I’ve been working from home for over 3 years now.. And I still love it.
There are days when I find myself bored to death. But when I think about getting 2 hrs before work to get ready + travel time and then gas, toll, parking, and the travel time going home (traffic!!!)..
I smile to myself and say.. “buti wala na akong ganyan experience..”
I’ve signed up with Odesk as well.. pero I haven’t won any bids yet haha..
Goodluck with working from home.. mas ok talaga siya kasi you have more time for yourself…
Three years? Wow, that’s a long time already…kudos to you! I hope I can last that long, but who knows what other opportunity might come along. For now, I sure am enjoying myself, too
congratulation on your new job! in the end kung saan ka masaya doon ka magtatagal.
Good for you, talented writer. You are fantastic.
This has been a perennial question in my head; to give up a full time office-based job with guaranteed income versus controlling my own working hours and earnings from a home-based job.
I’ve been using oDesk for 2 years but stopped bidding for a year since I got regular clients outside. The decision would be easy if I just think for myself, but being a breadwinner is a different story. I’m still hoping to have the courage to step out of my comfort zone soon though.
@Kat…I agree, it’s always a hard decision especially if you’re thinking about other people. I had the same thoughts before since I’m no longer a single lady. It was harder at first as in super tiyaga tlaga. But since I chose to go full-time with Odesk, kelangan panindigan ang choice hahaha. So far, 1 year na ako and things are a lot better than when I was in BPO
hi po sether here from GT
sarap magbasa dito sa blog mo. Hopefully i can transform from SAHM to WAHM through oDesk din. Nakakainspire yung mga posts lalo na yung mga out of the country escapades.
Thanks sis sether…sure you can do that…balitaan mo ang buong GT kapag nakakuha ka na ng client mo hihihi. Good luck