The demand for remote jobs has steadily been increasing in recent years, and customer service jobs are no exception. If you’re in the market for work from home call center jobs, you’ve come to the right place.
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Call center representatives may either work directly for the company they represent or work for a third-party provider that deals with calls on behalf of a company or multiple companies.
In the past, when someone says “call center,” one automatically thought of rows and rows of cubicles of call center agents hunched over computers. Now, you can answer calls right in the comfort of your own home.
If you have excellent listening and communication skills, above-average typing skills, and the patience to talk and build rapport with all types of people, working for a call center may just be the perfect work-from-home job for you.
In this article, you’ll learn about what types of call center jobs you can expect, what you need to start, and where to find work from home call center jobs.
Types of Call Center Jobs
Call center representatives may work as inbound agents, outbound agents, or both. Inbound agents answer calls from clients or other agents, while outbound agents make calls to clients, businesses, or other agents.
The most common position for inbound call center agents is customer service representatives, but inbound agents can also work as technical support agents or virtual receptionists.
On the other hand, outbound call center agents are usually in telesales making cold calls, but they may also work as collection agents, survey takers, and appointment setters.
Travel agents, dispatchers, and help desk service agents are examples of jobs where you take both inbound and outbound calls.
In general, outbound call center agents make more than their inbound counterparts. Those who take both can make even more.
However, your skills and experience are also important factors in your expected salary.
Requirements to Work Call Center Jobs From Home
Now that you know the different types of call center jobs you can do, read on to know what you need to apply and start working.
Education — Most companies don’t require a college degree, though this is certainly an advantage, especially if you have aspirations for higher positions, such as supervising a team of agents.
Experience — Call center jobs are beginner-friendly; you don’t need a lot of experience to be considered for a position. Of course, any service-oriented job is a great leg up over other applicants.
Background check — Some companies will ask that you pay for a background check before you get hired. These usually cost $20 to $50 depending on the information they require.
Skills and Qualities
Anybody can train to receive and make calls, but not everyone can be a successful call center agent. Here are the skills and qualities you’ll need.
Strong communication skills — Your communication skills are what makes or breaks an interaction with a customer or a client. Whether you’re helping someone with a complaint or convincing someone to buy a product or service, how well you explain and express yourself is key to de-escalating or clinching that sale.
Technical skills — At the very least, you should be able to use dialer software and be able to talk to someone while doing basic actions on your computer, like typing call notes or looking over training materials.
Average or better typing speed — Most call center staffing agencies would expect their reps to type at least 25 words per minute (WPM) or better. Luckily, getting up to this speed isn’t too difficult. There are also plenty of free online typing courses that can help.
Active listening skills — The ability to pay attention to details and unspoken cues is valuable in a call center job. Often, what a customer or client says is just the surface of an underlying problem, such as a complaint or an objection to a sales pitch.
Patience — This is especially important when you tend to talk to upset or confused customers who may take time to explain their concerns, not to mention take out their frustration on you. Dealing with such customers can be a real test of emotional strength, so you need to be able to have healthy coping mechanisms.
Empathy — Yes, you’ll have stock phrases to go by, but it just doesn’t cut it. Customers can tell, even over the phone, who really cares and who’s just pretending.
Problem-solving skills — All the empathy and patience won’t matter if you’re not in a problem-solving mindset. You’d need to be able to look beyond stock phrases and set procedures to find a solution that will satisfy the customer while looking out for the best interests of the company.
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Equipment
Aside from these skills and qualities, you’ll need to have the following technical hardware and devices to be able to serve your customers and clients better.
Computer — This is essential if you want to work from home. If you’re lucky, your company will provide a computer for you, but it’s better to be prepared with your own computer. It doesn’t even need to be top-of-the-line. As long as it can run the specific call center software you’re using, it should be fine.
Call center software — The software you’d be using will vary depending on your role and will usually be provided by your company. For instance, if you’re going to make outbound cold calls, you’d need software with an autodialer.
Wired internet — You’d need to have not only a fast but also a reliable internet connection, and that means investing in cable or fiber internet, if available in your area.
High-quality headset — It’s not enough that you can hear and you have a built-in microphone (so, no, you can’t use your AirPods). Your headset needs to be compatible with the call or dialer software you’re using, plus have noise-canceling capabilities and enhanced volume control.
Quiet space — Find a space in your home to work out of that has low foot traffic and has few ambient sounds. If you can soundproof the area, even with materials as simple as egg cartons, that would be even better.
Where To Find Work From Home Call Center Jobs
Now that you know what it takes to be a call center agent, you’re ready to zhuzh up your résumé and turn in your applications. Below are companies that offer remote call center positions.
1. FlexJobs
We highly recommend starting your job search on FlexJobs.
This job marketplace lists remote and flexible jobs only from companies they have vetted. You can rest assured that the job opportunities you get from this site are legitimate.
Pro tip: Use the right keywords and search filters to get results that would fit your skill set and the type of call center job you want to work.
Here are some examples of keywords you can use:
- (Inbound/Outbound) Call Center (Agent/Representative/Associate)
- Remote/Home-Based (Agent/Representative/Associate)
- Customer (Service/Support) (Agent/Representative/Associate)
- Remote Contact Center Specialist
- Remote Telemarketer/Telesales Agent
- Remote Appointment Setter
- Remote Survey Research Interviewer
- Remote Insurance Sales/Support Agent
- Remote Talent Acquisition Agent
Website: FlexJobs
2. Adecco
Adecco is the second-largest staffing agency in the world (as of 2019), offering thousands of jobs of various work hours (full-time or part-time) and various work locations (home-based or office-based) across different industries.
There are currently more than 1,000 work from home call center jobs listed on their job site, with hourly rates ranging from $12 to $20 per hour.
Benefits vary depending on the employer and whether you’re going to work a permanent or temporary position.
Bear in mind that some of the listed positions ask that you travel to the work site for check-in at the start of your training. Once you complete that requirement, you can do the rest of your work at home.
They currently use Certree to provide background checks with information on proof of employment and proof of income.
Website: Adecco
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3. Alorica
Alorica is a global third-party provider of customer support and technical solutions to companies in various industries.
Some of the industries that Alorica works with include gaming, online shopping, fintech, and health and lifestyle.
When searching their job database, select Job Category: Call Center, Country: United States (or your country if not the US), and select “Virtual” for your location to get remote call center jobs.
The pay ranges from $14 to $22 per hour, with bilingual agents earning more.
Usual benefits include paid training with a flexible schedule, paid time off, paid holidays and sick days, medical and dental benefits, and a 401(k) plan.
Website: Alorica
4. Concentrix
Concentrix is a BPO provider that works with companies to formulate customer service solutions and technology.
Some of the industries they’re currently working on include automotive, electronics, financial and insurance, eCommerce, and travel and tourism.
They pride themselves on offering work from home call center jobs since 2004, lowering costs for their business clients, as well as providing opportunities to remote workers to earn a livable wage while remaining flexible.
Most of the positions available now are inbound customer service positions. There’s no specific information on hourly salary and benefits available on the listings on their website, although from online forums it seems that they provide health insurance (with vision and dental) as well as paid time off.
Website: Concentrix
5. Cruise.com
Cruise.com has been around since 1998, offering cruise vacations to various exotic destinations to savvy travelers.
They continually hire home-based cruise sales agents to offer cruise vacations and other leisure travel options, as well as insurance, through inbound and outbound calls. You’ll also be offering package deals and upgrades, plus resolving booking issues.
Aside from your base pay, you’ll also be paid commissions on your sales.
They do require cruise industry experience for home-based opportunities.
Website: Cruise.com
6. Kelly Services
This is likely the oldest company on this list.
It doesn’t mean they’re behind on the times, though.
Kelly Services has been operating for 75 years and has provided staffing solutions to various companies throughout the decades.
Search “call center” on their job marketplace and plenty of work from home call center jobs will show. Hourly pay is from $17 to $22, depending on the client and the responsibilities of the role.
Kelly supports their talents with a host of benefits and perks, including health plans (medical, dental, vision), a free employee wellness program, student loan programs, retirement plans, and product discounts.
Website: Kelly Services
7. Liveops
Liveops prides itself on transforming the remote contact center model by introducing the virtual flex model, where their call center agents work as independent contractors paid by the minute on a flexible schedule.
Instead of opening daily nine-hour schedules, paying hourly even if the agent isn’t taking in any calls, they open half-hour- or hour-long schedules during periods when high call volumes are expected.
Customers don’t have to wait long, clients get their money’s worth, and agents get more freedom to choose their own schedules and work as much or as little as they want in a day.
Some of the industries that Liveops works with include healthcare, insurance, travel & tourism, and retail industries.
Since Liveops will hire you as an independent contractor, they don’t provide the usual benefits. You would also need to pay a $25 fee for your background check.
Their estimate on hourly pay is around $12 to $17 per hour depending on call volumes, how much time you can commit weekly, and other factors.
Website: Liveops
8. Sitel
Sitel is a global leader in customer management solutions and data security.
Sitel work from home virtual associates can do a variety of duties, such as help with billing inquiries, product support, filling out and deploying service orders, schedule installations and repairs, and many more.
There are both full-time and part-time opportunities, with hourly rates ranging from $10 to $18.
They are particular when it comes to your computer’s specifications, your internet connection, and even the headset you need to use.
But Sitel does offer standard benefits such as sick days, vacation days, health insurance, paid overtime, maternity leave, 401(k) with company matching, among others.
Other perks include paid training, not only at the start of your career but all throughout and plenty of growth opportunities.
Website: Sitel
9. Teleperformance
Teleperformance is a global BPO that has over 380,000 employees worldwide, 70% of which work remotely. So if you want to work with them, you’re in good company.
Some of the work from home call center jobs they currently offer include healthcare customer service representatives, technical support representatives, automotive inbound sales and service representatives, and talent acquisition recruiters.
They don’t post hourly rates on their job listings, but they do offer benefits such as paid training, medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) plans, employee wellness programs, paid time off, and other perks.
Website: Teleperformance
10. Transcom
Transcom prides itself on being a remote working pioneer, offering work from home call center jobs for 16 years and counting, so they know how to keep both their clients and employees satisfied.
They even provide the computer equipment so you don’t have to worry about getting a computer that meets their specifications.
The usual positions they open include technical support advisors, customer service advisors, and remote franchise relations managers.
Their job listings don’t indicate hourly salary, but benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) plan, and vacation time. What makes Transcom stand out is that you’re eligible for these benefits within your first 30 days at work.
Website: Transcom
11. TTEC
Formerly known as TeleTech, TTEC is a global BPO provider based in Colorado.
The most common work from home job you can apply for is customer service representative, but they’re also currently looking for helpdesk/service desk analysts, talent acquisition specialists, and remote pricing analysts.
TTEC at Home offers full-time, part-time, and seasonal roles, with hourly wages from $11.50 to $15 per hour, depending on the role and local minimum wage guidelines. They also offer the usual benefits you’d expect, like paid time off, 401(k) plans, health insurance, and wellness programs.
Website: TTEC
12. VIPDesk
VIPDesk has been around since the late 90s but has only emerged recently as a top provider of BPO services to industries such as luxury retail, fashion, consumer electronics, medical equipment, home, and ecommerce.
The most common remote position open on VIPDesk is work from home customer service representative for a luxury brand, which pays $20 per hour plus benefits including paid time off, paid holidays, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, and performance incentives.
Website: VIPDesk
Start Your Call Center Job From Home Today!
Being a call center agent is not for everyone, but if you have the patience and the technical skills, this may very well be a great remote job for you.
If you’re interested in remote jobs but don’t want to limit yourself to call center jobs, take a look at our huge list of work from home jobs and find something that’s a great fit for your skills and your lifestyle.
