Did I get laid off because I am an introvert?
As most of you know, who follows this blog, my Tumblr and my Twitter account, moving to Australia wasn’t as easy as we anticipated. We found a place to live pretty quick, but finding work showed to be very difficult. I think I sent out about 80 job applications, had one telephone interview and one real interview.
Most of the jobs I applied for were call centres, as I have a few years experience with that and I was getting desperate.
The last interview went well and I was offered a job. I felt I couldn’t say no as our savings started to reach nil. Even if I felt I met my limit when it comes to working at a call centre, I clenched my jaw, took a deep breath and went for it. That proved to be a not too smart move, but that’s what you get when you’re stubborn.
The first week at the job it seemed very promising. They basically showed us what the company does and what it stands for. I only had heard bad things about it, but being on the inside I was tricked to believe that this is a really good company that cares about their employees and customers.
I later learned it was just another call centre job.
Our second week we were told we would be taught everything we had to know, and then the week after we would be taking calls from customers. I was still positive, but I was still nervous and had my doubts that this company was as good as they tried to make us believe.
They generally expected us to learn about 6+ systems in one week and then take calls from customers.
We were recruited through an agency, and they told us this company is very thorough when they hire new people. They told us they will never let anyone take calls until they know that person will handle the customers and the systems with great precision and confidence.
It was a different story, as you might notice, at the company. Very poor and rushed training and we were told that it’s expected of us to teach ourselves from the day training ends; which generally was when we started taking calls.
Even if my English is fluent, it’s still different, especially as I’m still far from used to the Aussie accent, and keeping track of several systems during each call is very confusing, especially when your training is basically useless.
I’m very picky when it comes to learning something new. I want to know everything before I work with it. The more I know, the higher quality work I will do.
During the third week I stayed at home the first three days as I manage to catch a nasty cold. On top of that I had to go to the doctor the fourth week to do an emergency checkup.
And on Tuesday I had a nervous breakdown and called in sick; which made them call me later that day that my contract was discontinued.
I can honestly say I hated the job and that I’ve met my emotional limit when it comes to call centres. As my therapist said, ‘a call centre is one of the worst places for an introvert’.
As I didn’t like the job I couldn’t care less about explaining what really happened that day, as I actually was relieved knowing I wasn’t going back to that hell.
I also suspect they let me go as I was honest about not liking the job, I was very vocal about how bad the training was and that I’m going back to school, so they knew I wouldn’t stay for long.
I was even told to be more active in class, as in taking more notes. I tried to explain I have a very good memory, but I didn’t expect someone working at a call centre to understand that, as it’s not really a place you would expect intellectual people to be or enjoy.
Do you think I was fired because I’m an introvert? I don’t think it was the main reason of course, but more how an introvert is perceived by uneducated people and companies who only think fast profit.
The only good thing that came out of this is that I’m going back to school. I’m hoping to be studying biomedical science or forensic science. I can’t wait to get a degree so I can get a real job, be surrounded by intelligent people and even be part of making this world better.
Veni. Vidi. Vici.
Note: Please look beyond my possible grammatical mistakes and my odd rambling.
Oh what a horrible place! And of course you’re right – they are not used to intelligent guys who aren’t scrambling to take notes of the simplest things, plus there are many people who wouldn’t mind at all answering the phones and not knowing the details of how to actually help the customer. So your introvert (detailed, not liking to bulls&*()&) personality most likely did contribute to your getting laid off, but I think it was a good thing you’re out of there. I hope you can find something good that is more suited to you. I answered tech support calls for a while about 10 years ago, and at the end of each day I wanted to throw a tantrum I was so exhausted and sick of talking to people. Glad you’re going back to school!
I actually left out a lot of things that I didn’t like about that place, so you can imagine how trapped I felt.
Not to mention how it made me feel wearing a suit everyday. I felt so out of place. Like someone had stolen my identity.
Exactly. Even if I’m easy going, I am still a perfectionist. When I do my job I want it done perfectly and with pride. If I can’t be allowed to do it with perfection, I lose the pride in my work and interest.
Ironically I don’t mind doing technical support, as I am a geek and a techie. I just don’t like being a glorified secretary. Still, I don’t like the talking bit either. I much prefer do support via email, as then I can research and give that person a very thorough answer.
Thanks, I can’t wait being surrounded with people who are eager to learn and share knowledge. :)
Yeah, I guess they just didn’t like your attitude in general, and they used the fact that you had missed a few days, to fire you. A lot of people don’t like outspokenness. Once you complain about something and start questioning the routine, you instantly have a target on your back, and it’s only a matter of time before they try to run you off. I figured that out after a couple of workplace situations, in which I actually dared to voice a complaint or to take issue with something or someone. A lot of people are happy when other people simply smile and are eager to please and go along with the flow. I’m an introvert, and I’m also way to moody and sometimes volatile, to keep my mouth shut for too long.
I’ve been at some workplaces that just completely exhausted me, too. Those were mostly cashiering jobs and having to deal with people all day, meaning both the customers and coworkers. I know that it’s time for me to leave a job when I start to feel annoyed by everything and I feel like I can’t even stand to look at the other people who are working along side me. Yeah, then it’s about time for me to make an exit, before I start acting out.
Yeah, that was my suspicion too. I was too honest and demanding. In the end it made me want to go back to school. Now I’m just hoping the school will accept me, or else I have no clue what to do.
I have some ideas, but they will for sure have me kicked out of the country.