By Christina Robertson
It always happens at the worst time. Whether you are sitting down to dinner or stepping into the shower, the phone inevitably rings. In anticipation of an important call, you rush to answer. In response to your breathless, 'Hello?' you hear nothing. Following the pause, a nasal voice offers you a credit card.
Telemarketers are among the most hated professions because homes are continually called with different offers, said Joe Price a corporate trainer at Marketing Ally.
But it is a popular job in Utah Valley, Teleperformance USA trainer Preston Niederhauser, 22, a sophomore at Utah Valley State College, from Layton, Utah.
He said rejection is what makes the job difficult.
'It''s not for everybody. I know that. There''s no doubt that there''s going to be a challenge,' he said.
Brian Morgan, 24, a junior at from Orem, Utah, is a supervisor at Convergys. He said telemarketing is what you make of it.
'They are on the other side of the phone, they''re not going to reach through and hurt you. Don''t let it ruin your day,' he said.
Carissa Hjelm, 21, a junior from Lakewood, Wash., has been a telemarketer at Convergys for a year and a half. She said the money keeps her there. After being an employee for six months she began accruing paid time off and paid holidays, she said.
'I''m only a part time employee, but I get treated like I''m a full-time employee,' she said.
Not only is she financially rewarded for her efforts, but Hjelm said she is able to complete homework while on the phone.
Tim Anderson, 23, a sophomore at BYU, from Lyman, Wyo., said it is not the most fun job, but it''s a good job to fund a college education.
Anderson is a supervisor at Convergys and is responsible for hiring new agents.
'We look for dependability. We want people to say stuff like, ''I''m always on time. I work hard. I''m willing to learn.'' Mostly just a humble person,' he said.
Though telemarketing is an easy job, Niederhauser said it takes skill to succeed.
'The people who are successful know how to communicate and do different things with their voice. It''s the way they personalize the message and listen to the customer,' he said.
Niederhauser said telemarketing teaches valuable sales skills that can be a strong influence in a person''s life.
He said he has witnessed a strengthening in character for those who were initially timid.
'I like to see people''s confidence and demeanor change. They have to go through some rough stuff to get there,' he said.
Jacque Fagrell, 20, a junior from Tempe, Arizona, worked at Western Watts for four months. She said the job isn''t for everybody.
'If they''re looking for easy money and a flexible schedule, then it''s something they could be interested in. If they''re looking for a non-monotonous job, don''t do it. It gets pretty boring,' she said.