inbound solutionsCall center jobs rank as one of the most in-demand jobs and careers these days. This is especially true in the Philippines. There is a constant urgency for hiring by emerging call center companies. One does not need to have a Bachelor's degree as a requirement for employment. All it takes is for one to speak fluently and to sound exactly like an American, British, or Australian national. This is because most of these companies cater to English speaking countries such as the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.

Today's young generation aspire to land jobs as call center agents in these companies because they pay more than double some of the common jobs or professions such as teachers, nurses, clerks, bank tellers, and many others. Apart from the good pay, working in this type of industry helps one his or her speaking and language skills since most call center companies offer free language training courses before one formally starts as a call center agent. It also helps boost one's self-confidence because one gets to speak with foreign people from all walks of life in those aforementioned countries. It is like working abroad without actually leaving the Philippines.

For companies who urgently need hundreds of agents they would temporarily hire people usually from 18 to 25 years of age, even if their speech level is not satisfactory. They would offer one week to one month training, depending on how fast one learns and adapts to the English language. These companies also offer a significant amount for daily allowance. Once the trainee surpassed the training he or she can formally start as an agent and will receive above minimum wage with further allowances including transportation, clothing, medical, and perfect attendance bonus. An additional night differential pay of 10 to 30 percent from the basic pay if you are scheduled to work from 10 in the evening until 6 in the morning, because most of these companies operate during night time in the Philippines while it is day time in the US, UK, or Canada. The extraordinary work hours contribute to changes in the sleeping patterns of call center agents. They are asleep at daytime but alive and in full work mode at nighttime. This drastic change in one's natural biological clock can result health problems for some.

Philippine call centers are mostly located in highly urbanized areas where conveniences of modern living and technology are very accessible. But that as it may, this set-up can make one's young life complicated. Why? Because there are lots of peer pressure. With the more than adequate amount of income they are receiving, the amount of peer pressure existing in this industry is enough to make a fresh soul into an established smoker and an avid night-life goer, and of course the lure of the liquor bar is never far behind. In addition to that, one has to live a fast paced and costly city life which include all the different monthly bills that come with urban living such as rentals or monthly amortizations for an apartment or condo unit, water, electricity, internet, phones, car loans, insurances, and a lot more.

Another thing is that call center agents are heavy coffee drinkers and smokers. The caffeine and the nicotine help them stay awake at night especially if they do not have sufficient sleep during daytime. Others who do not drink coffee or smoke quickly acquired the habit because they believe this will help their stamina last for 8 hours for this nocturnal job.

As the BPO industry expands, there will be lots of posts to be filled up. This would definitely help a lot in decreasing the country's unemployment rate, and providing people with a good life. Most people who have been in the industry for a long time are successful and satisfied despite of the pressure that surrounds the job and the life-changing habits that come with the job.