Call Centers and the Philippines

I got to speak recently with a friend who's working in a call center here in the Philippines.

Here's what I found out:

• Starting salary is around P12,000 a month (about US$273, at P44 = US$1).


• Call center agents easily move from one company to another (leads to higher pay).


• Out of every 100 applicants, less than 5 are hired.


• The level of English proficiency keeps going down each year.


• Call center agents do not need to have an American accent. In fact, a "neutral" accent is preferred.

Yes, the demand is still high. The problem lies in finding qualified agents. I wonder if the web can help improve the English skills of my fellow Filipinos, so that those who are willing to work from 8pm to 6am the following day will have a better chance of landing a job in a call center here in the Philippines.

[ First posted on 07/29/2008 by Manuel Viloria ]