Update XV: Stuck Inside of Tulsa with the Oklahoma City Blues Again

[Joe Biden 2020]

What's up, folks?!  I made it to my parents' home for the weekend.  I talked things over with my parents for about a total of two minutes and have come to the conclusion (which I came up with in the car) that I am going to stick with this job, but look for a CAD job in the evenings.  If I am fortunate enough to land an interview, I will try to make it as late in the day as possible so I don't jeopardize what I have going now.  Since I have a job, and a job that I feel more comfortable about, I don't have to fret about a CAD job, and I can look at my leisure without having to rush.

On the comfort about the job, Thursday evening when I got off work, I was worried about not feeling prepared to take calls the second half of next week.  By the time I got off work today, I felt completely different.  We did a few things and I was able to listen to a gal already taking outbound calls exactly like what I'll be doing and was immediately put at ease.  The calls look very simple and easy and straight forward.  I was only able to listen to 4 calls of hers in the 75 minutes I sat by her right before lunch, but I saw how easy it actually is to make a sale and take care of the customer.  She was finishing up a sale when I plugged in with her, then after 2 or 3 answering machines, she got within a whisker of a second sale only being turned back by seeing the customer was already on a contract and would incur early termination fees if she changed now.  I feel pretty good about it now.  I still have two more days in the classroom, possibly three.  I still have some concerns about the consistency of the management, but as long as they're honest and do what they say they will do, I can look past and get over the inconsistency.  That's just a peripheral issue for me and definitely not a show stopper.  I have not seen or heard of any dishonest policies in the 8 days I have worked there.  I will find out more when I pick up my first paycheck on Tuesday.  There is no danger brewing and I have absolutely no plans to quit until I get a CAD job, if I get a CAD job.  Again, if I don't get a CAD job, then I've got nothing to worry about.  I might be able to put in some longevity and tenure with this place.

[Joe Biden 2020]

As things stand right now coming to the end of a Friday night, I am not only more comfortable, but continue to be very excited about getting on the phones the middle of next week.  J-Mann, I get that my personality type does not match call centers and sales jobs, but I do not believe that's a hard and fast rule.  I believe there are exceptions to every rule.  A person's frame of mind, I believe, plays a larger role than scientific results.  Anybody can do just about anything if they put their mind to it.  Bottom line, I am not going to let scientific results dictate how and where I make a living.

[Joe Biden 2020]

We did a few things and I was able to listen to a gal already taking outbound calls exactly like what I'll be doing and was immediately put at ease.

I really hope you don't refer to your female co-workers as "gals" when you're there.

No, I am more professional at work.

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Tell us more about your weight loss progress, please.
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I have lost 5 pounds in the past 11 days.

[Joe Biden 2020]

I'm very proud that you've lost that weight, but are you sure it's not just water that you lost?

It could be water weight, but it's been consistent at the 4-5 pound mark.

[Joe Biden 2020]

You've worked at numerous call center jobs in the past. Why would you feel unprepared?

The past call centers have all been inbound with no sales.  This is outbound with sales.  So, it is a little different.  I knew what to expect in a general sense, but each company puts their own "spin" on the calls and what they require.

[Joe Biden 2020]

I have lost 5 pounds in the past 11 days.

Good! But what have you been eating?

Lighter amounts of the same stuff.

[Joe Biden 2020]

That's fine and all if you want to work while looking for a CAD job. I actually agree with that, no need to quit the telemarketing job unless you're let go. But I hope you keep looking for CAD jobs, because that's much more of a career than telemarketing.

Oh definitely.  I would much rather have a CAD job, and I will look discreetly in the evenings, but in the mean time this is a pretty good job in its own right.  I can look at my leisure without rushing.

[Joe Biden 2020]

As things stand right now coming to the end of a Friday night, I am not only more comfortable, but continue to be very excited about getting on the phones the middle of next week.  J-Mann, I get that my personality type does not match call centers and sales jobs, but I do not believe that's a hard and fast rule.  I believe there are exceptions to every rule.  A person's frame of mind, I believe, plays a larger role than scientific results.  Anybody can do just about anything if they put their mind to it.  Bottom line, I am not going to let scientific results dictate how and where I make a living.

See, this is where we differ. I have no idea why you wish to prove us wrong over this after being let go of countless call center jobs, but maybe one day you will succeed. And I'm fairly sure J-Mann knows more about sales jobs than you do; we all know how they act during training and then how things are different when you actually are on the sales floor. You know that too. You've felt great about these call center jobs and then the first or second day on the phones, you're either let go or in trouble on the verge of being let go.

That said, I hope you keep this one until you find a CAD job, and I hope you make an honest effort to find one. It would suit you far better than sales.

I'm not trying to prove anybody wrong that I cannot work in a call center or sales, I am just trying to prove to myself that I can keep a job no matter what it is.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Doesn't he need to get his certificate if he's going to keep looking for CADD jobs though?

No, the employers can call the school or my references which include my instructor and verify any information they wish.

[Joe Biden 2020]

J-Mann, I get that my personality type does not match call centers and sales jobs, but I do not believe that's a hard and fast rule.  I believe there are exceptions to every rule.

How many call center and sales jobs have you tried your hand at over the last several years? Half-a-dozen? More? You were not an exception then, and you are not an exception now. You entered each of those with the same amount of determination and resolve, too.

A person's frame of mind, I believe, plays a larger role than scientific results.  Anybody can do just about anything if they put their mind to it.  Bottom line, I am not going to let scientific results dictate how and where I make a living.

No, they can't. Your frame of body doesn't allow you to stand for eight hours a day; psychological realities play just as large of a role as to whether you'll make it at a job or not. You just seem to be much more accepting of your physical limitations than your psychological ones. Ultimately, people are better off seeking jobs or careers where they can exercise their natural skills, not fight their core natures.

You can make it (or fake it) for a while and possibly be successful. You ARE doing something smart here, which is continuing to look for CADD jobs. I am positive that you'd be more successful and happier in that type of a position. I don't want to see you in the same position you've been in before, where you have the rug pulled out from under you in a job you were never right for and have to be unemployed for weeks or months before grabbing something else in desperation. Keep looking while you're working. You'll find something better.

I know I would be happier in a CAD job, and that's why I'm going to continue to look.  After all, I did not spend a bunch of money for nothing.  I am not going to give up that easy.  All I'm saying is this job I'm in now is a good job to have while I look.  It puts food on my table, puts clothes on my back, and a roof over my head.  It is also looks to be an enjoyable job.  With the luxury of a paycheck coming in, I can take my time looking for the right job.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Doesn't he need to get his certificate if he's going to keep looking for CADD jobs though?

No, the employers can call the school or my references which include my instructor and verify any information they wish.

Well, I hope it doesn't come to that, it might be weeks before they get a response!

Doubtful.  School starts two weeks from Monday.

[Joe Biden 2020]

All things considered, things are about to get fun at work.  Outbound is tough, but it's doable even for my personality type.  It's not a job I'll have forever, but it can last me until I get a CAD job.  I will start looking when I get home tomorrow night.  I just don't have to rush and worry.  I'm not desperate.  I am going to do all I can to keep this job until I start the new one.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Walter, I was there for 2 years from 2008-2010.  I still regret leaving there when I did.

[Joe Biden 2020]

I was in the Customer Accounting department.  I analyzed irregular meter readings of customers gas meters and took appropriate action either adjusting the reading or sending out a service tech to investigate possible leaks.

[Joe Biden 2020]

I was in the Customer Accounting department.  I analyzed irregular meter readings of customers gas meters and took appropriate action either adjusting the reading or sending out a service tech to investigate possible leaks.

And how much selling was involved? Or how many customer service calls would you take on a daily basis?

No sales.  We were the first line back up to the call center, so if the call center got backed up, we'd jump on and help out.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Weren't you pretty close to being fired from there anyway though when you latched onto the Nigerian scam.

I don't think I would have lasted the rest of that year.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Weren't you pretty close to being fired from there anyway though when you latched onto the Nigerian scam.

I don't think I would have lasted the rest of that year.

was your attendance bad there too?

Yes

[Joe Biden 2020]

I know you guys like to reminisce over old times, but I can tell you I've moved on.  There's no need to bring it up ever again.

[Joe Biden 2020]

I'm really looking forward to going back to work on Monday.  I feel I can do great work at this job even while I look for a CAD job.  It is quite comforting to know I do have a job to go back to at the conclusion of the weekend.  It may not be what I've always dreamed of, but it's a good job, it pays the bills, and it gives me something to do during the day.

[Joe Biden 2020]

I hope not. At least Bushie is making enough to pay off his amex bill each month. They hate when people run up a balance!

Thankfully, I no longer have an AMEX card.  I paid that off and cut it up a couple years ago.

[Joe Biden 2020]

I made it home to Tulsa about 14:30 this afternoon.  I had a fun weekend with the family, but now it is time to settle into a Sunday evening and get ready for Week 3 of work.  Work night #9 begins in 45 minutes.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Does anyone know if travelers diarrhea is contagious?  My aunt came down with it coming back from Spain last week and just got over it.  I was around her all day Saturday and for an hour today.  Now,  I've been gagging all day at nearly every scent.  I'm not in pain at this time and I haven't thrown up yet, but I've been close.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Does anyone know if travelers diarrhea is contagious?  My aunt came down with it coming back from Spain last week and just got over it.  I was around her all day Saturday and for an hour today.  Now,  I've been gagging all day at nearly every scent.  I'm not in pain at this time and I haven't thrown up yet, but I've been close.

Unlikely. A more-likely reason for your sensitive gag reflex is your aunt regaling you with stories of her traveler's diarrhea.

add to my gagging minor cramping and bowel movements

[Joe Biden 2020]

Whatever it is,  I'm going to go to bed to get my body in a horizontal position.  I have to try to go tomorrow.  My job is to important to let it get torpedoed by a silly stomach virus.

[Joe Biden 2020]

I did stay home today because my stomach ache and gagging last night turned into a full night of throwing up (mostly dry heaves) plus a nasty cocktail of symptoms.  My body was spent when I woke up at 6:00 this morning and it felt like I had not slept all night, even though I had been in bed since 21:15 minus the times I was anchored on or over the john.  I called in just before 7:00 and went back to bed and didn't get up again until almost 10:30.  I'm starting to get better, I think, just now down to a severe headache, but I'm still going to take the rest of the day off and go in tomorrow.  If this affects my job then so be it.