I Can't Do Customer Service - Where Do You Work?

[Redwylde]

Hey guys.

So I've recently been trying to look for work, part-time so that I can continue with university study.

 

I recently got the opportunity to work as a barista at a community centre. I really love barista work, but I have GAD and social anxiety couldn't cope emotionally with the customer service half of the job, so I'm trying to look elsewhere. I've been struggling to think of job prospects where I won't have to deal with customers all the time, and a quick search online gives you maybe 12 results and it's all specialist jobs like computer developers and engineers. I'm already studying for a specialist career in the far future so an entry-level job is what I'm looking for just now, just to support myself until I get there.

 

Are any of you guys in non-customer service based jobs? If so, where do you work? I'm just hoping for some ideas and inspiration of where to begin looking next.

[Guest]

You sound like me, I could never cope well in customer service. When at college I worked part-time setting property adverts in a newspaper but when I was made redundant I had to find a new job. Not many positions were available so I had to suffer a customer service job in a shop. I hated it and really struggled so can relate.

 

I can maybe make some suggestions:

 

• Childminding
• Housekeeping/Cleaner
• Tutoring
• Factory work
• Warehouse work
• Gardener - even just mowing lawns and weeding
• Working with animals? Shelter or looking after pets

 

I know some of those aren't a lot of fun and I hope you find something that suits you!

[Redwylde]

5 minutes ago, Little Bear said:

I hope you find something that suits you!

Thank you for answering! It can be really difficult since customer service seems to be prevalent in most things. Your list has given me some ideas so I'll take a look!

I hope you find a job you can enjoy, too!

[Guest]

I, too, have anxiety, so I know how hard it is to work in customer service. The horrors! 😱 

 

@Little Bear

 

Those are some good ideas. I know it can be hard at times to think of a job that may suit you. Sometimes you have to think outside the box, but the jobs ARE out there.

 

I used to work at an office/warehouse, and the new job is also at an office. It might seem odd, but there are office jobs that are behind the scenes where the customer interaction is minimal. 

 

I don't know if this is the sort of job you're looking for, but good luck with everything. 😊

[Redwylde]

2 minutes ago, Just Dani said:

I don't know if this is the sort of job you're looking for, but good luck with everything. 😊

At this point, I'm looking for anything ^^ thank you for answering!

[Guest]

@Redwylde

 

You're welcome. 😊

[MollyDMA]

Not sure if this counts, but I work in a kid center at a gym. I look after the kids while their parents work out. I also have social anxiety but I really do feel like working with kids can be nice and non-stressful at times since they really don't judge you on things that adults would. 

[LayneR]

For a while I worked as a runner at a law firm. I had my area in the back that people rarely came to. When they did, they just either interacted with the printer or handed me a 'run slip' telling me where to take or pick up legal documents and/or evidence. There I also was in charge of maintaining office supply inventory and whatnot. People barely interacted with me. That said, I quit that job to work at a pizza place which pays much better (and also gives me paid time off and puts money into my 401K!)

[Redwylde]

@MollyDMA @LayneR Thank you for answering! Sounds great, I'm glad you enjoy your jobs! 

[Satsuriku_No_Tenshi]

I'm in retail, so you can say it's got a lot of Customer Service in it. But Retail has many types of jobs which are buying, marketing, advertising, planning, real estate, accounts, HR, warehousing, logistics and a few more. Some stores have back office operations where there is no expectation of customer service. Some of the stockroom people enjoy their jobs as they don't have a liking for customer service. But on occasion there is a bit of customer service work for them as well.

Some Store Managers in the chain I work for have no interaction with customers unless there is a big complaint.

[Ousel]

Oh gosh. I had a reception job hoping to get over my social anxiety and learn more skills around rapid social transactions. I felt so overwhelmed but stuck with it for way longer than I should have because I was determined to get better at it. That. Did. Not. Happen. I felt a lot of shame at that failure, but looking back it wasn't all me as the management allowed employees to be abused in the name of "the customer is always right." 

 

I did behavior tech work last year, and now that I've plowed through the majority of my time sensitive pre-req's I plan on trying it again. I worked with kids with autism one on one in their home with their guardian present. I ran programs designed to teach them necessary skills, supervised by a specialist. Having non-verbal clients is great. Yes, there are challenging behaviors to be dealt with and it's very repetitive. Yes, sometimes what the guardians want is questionable. Mostly though, folks are really grateful you're willing to help their kid, and the company is there to support you, train you, and make sure you feel safe in your working environment. You can take on as many clients as you have time for. Sometimes it's a lot of driving, but a good place will reimburse for miles. (Lyft and Uber sure don't.) Just a thought!

[Redwylde]

@Ousel Thank you for answering!

I'm sorry your experience in reception was so negative I went through the same thing with my very brief volunteer job. I was so overwhelmed while I was attending to customers that I was swallowing down anxiety attacks every second of the day, and I knew that I couldn't subject myself to feeling like that for any length of time. My mum really wants me to keep at it because she believes it would get better as I got used to it, like you said, but I knew it wouldn't. I know my anxiety and my limits too well. Already, the fact that I know I have the freedom to look for something different is relieving the stress.

 

I wish you luck with trying it again! That sounds like a really amazing job to have! It must feel so rewarding being able to help people like that.

I suppose I should ask myself what my limits are regarding working with people. Maybe something like that WOULD work out for me. Thank you for talking about it ^^ It's really interesting!

[SithAzathoth WinterDragon]

I'm a security guard at a fabric store that's connected to a mall near a hospital. 

[Ousel]

9 minutes ago, Redwylde said:

My mum really wants me to keep at it because she believes it would get better as I got used to it, like you said, but I knew it wouldn't. I know my anxiety and my limits too well. Already, the fact that I know I have the freedom to look for something different is relieving the stress.

 

Maybe something like that WOULD work out for me. Thank you for talking about it ^^ It's really interesting!

I get your mum. Sometimes we all need a push. And sometimes we are using all the tools we have and the stress is taking its toll on our health. We aren't cookie cutter people. Some jobs just aren't a good fit. 

 

I hope you find a better fit soon, whatever that looks like. 

[Lord Jade Cross]

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[Gloomy]

I've found behind the scenes office jobs are the best for me. I spend most of my time in a cubicle and don't interact with other people very much. Most of my job is numbers, spreadsheets, and documents instead of people, and I love my job. Sometimes you can get those types of jobs without a college degree or if you've only completed a couple years of college so far, especially if the tasks are simple like data entry(although you have to be okay with repetition and tedium). 

 

Stores and restaurants often have people working in the back who don't have to deal with customers.

[Guest]

-Warehouse work/forklift driver.

-Overnight stocking clerk in a grocery chain or large store. 

-Filing clerk, albeit horribly boring. 

-Security guard at a construction site or remote sites vs malls. I found that in malls, I basically directed people to the washrooms more than anything else o_O.

-Airport in your city? Tons of jobs there, from baggage clerk, or jobs around the aircraft such as fueling, which require minimal training and no licenses for some.

-Assembly clerk. 

 

All I can think of off top.

 

I have done all of the above, except airport work. 

 

I loved warehouse work the most. Especially if handling machinery. 

 

I now love being around customers, but it helps I work in an industry where the clients are insanely easy to deal with.

 

I worked in the telecom industry in call centers in the past. This has got to be the worst, hands down.

[Ms. Carolynne]

I'm in a similar boat, I work fast food and there's plenty of customer service, on top of being one of the fastest growing stores in the franchise. It's way more stressful than I envisioned. I too struggle with anxiety, particularly social anxiety. Funny thing is, I only work 30 hours a week at this job, yet at my previous job I frequently worked 50+ hours and it didn't mentally wear on me this much even though it was a grind.

 

I want to go back to school (probably an ATC / trade school, college is astronomically expensive) and get some certifications, so I need something part time. However, a lot of part time jobs are customer service where I live, and I know from working my current job for over a year that it just doesn't suit me.

 

I can do manufacturing and don't mind it, but in my experience most positions require a lot of hours. 50+ hour weeks weren't uncommon at my previous job. I need time to dedicate to my schoolwork, so I'd rather not.

[Gloomy]

2 hours ago, Ms. Carolynne said:

Funny thing is, I only work 30 hours a week at this job, yet at my previous job I frequently worked 50+ hours and it didn't mentally wear on me this much even though it was a grind.

I know what you mean. I'd rather work overtime at my current job than work 4 hours in a customer service job. When I was 18 I had a cashier job that was only two days per week and even that was a drag on me.

[Redwylde]

@Jade Cross I'm really sorry you have to suffer through that, I really hope you can find something more enjoyable and less stressful for you

 

@Gloomy Thank you for answering! I've often thought that behind the scenes jobs would be perfect for me, but I would often get worried about the idea of sitting behind a desk day in day out. Then again, repetition feels secure, and it's the unpredictability of customer service that makes me nervous in the first place so it might be just the thing! 

 

@Perspektiv Thanks for the list! I can't drive (I'm scared of it) and there are no airports in my town but there are two in the next few towns over! I might look into that ^^ My work advisor wanted me to look into call centres and I shut it down there and then, the only thing I'm worse at than customer service is talking over the phone lol

 

@Ms. Carolynne I'm the same in regards to study, even though I'm distance learning through the Open University it still counts as full-time education with the amount of studying I have to do, and part-time jobs are not often in abundance. I really hope you find something suitable and flexible, it can be really tough. No job is worth feeling miserable all the time. Best of luck with getting back into school~

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Redwylde said:

My work advisor wanted me to look into call centres and I shut it down there and then, the only thing I'm worse at than customer service is talking over the phone lol

If you are selling something like car parts or are a dispatcher, that's one thing.

 

Dealing with people too stupid to follow simple directions, but that are irate so you have to avoid damaging their ego, is another. 

 

One of my friends worked for Bell Canada, and his stories are priceless.

 

He even invented terms to mock clients without their knowing it. They became inside jokes in the call center as supervisors were none the wiser. 

 

"Sounds like an IBD issue" (Idiot behind desk). 

 

His co-workers would be giggling, which is how he made his days go by.

 

But yeah. Avoid at all costs. I got death threats, and even had a client swear he would strangle me with his phone. It was cordless. I had to mute the phone to avoid him hearing me laugh.

 

IBD issue right there coming to think about it.

[Redwylde]

@Perspektiv Oh my Gosh, that is hilarious lmfao I feel terrible for laughing.

You're right, there'll be hundreds of different types of sectors for call centres as well. I'll need to look into what's local by me and see if it's something I could do~ Thanks!

[Strifed]

Ugh, I can't work customer service or jobs that require a lot of talking (so call center/etc) either. I just get so drained after the first two hours, and I'm totally not a people person ( extremely introverted, I don't like a lot of chit chat, and I rather just work with my hands).

 

There are a lot of IT and computer related jobs that let you work alone or with a small team. Some can even work from home! Some of the jobs only require a certificate, and if you're someone that does web design you can basically teach yourself how to code using free online resources. So if you like tech that is an option to take.

 

As for me, I work in a bio lab and only work with 2-3 coworkers (who are chill af!). I never have to deal with customers or people really, just bacteria, petri dishes, and autoclaves haha. I needed my 4 year Bio degree to get the job, but there are internships and programs for those with no bio experience if you're interested in this sort of thing. Also there is environmental science (you may work on the team, but usually it's sampling rocks or w/e from the environment), animal behavior/zoologist (you work with animals all day, and even though that sounds really cute and fun you gotta be prepared for just animals being animals... and the smells and just being outdoors no matter what the weather is...), or you can even try stuff like dog walking or pet sitting! They pay pretty well in my area, and all you need to do is talk to the owner and spend most of your time with the dog.

[Homer]

On 11/26/2018 at 1:54 PM, Little Bear said:

Working with animals? Shelter or looking after pets 

Personal experience - working with animals is really rewarding, yet it also didn't help to improve my opinion about humans.

 

Job opportunity: Paper person. My mom has done it for many years now. Maybe there's a weekly paper or something that you could deliver.

[Guest]

5 hours ago, Redwylde said:

Oh my Gosh, that is hilarious lmfao I feel terrible for laughing.

The thing with customer service is, if you do not have a sense of humor, it will rob you of a piece of your soul.

 

You can tell who didn't learn this and worked in the field too long by how miserable they look. 

 

Type of look that looks like they could use an anxiety attack, as it would allow them to feel something again.

 

If you could make good coin without dealing with customers, all the power to you to be honest. 

 

Consultancy jobs to me, are otherwise best for people who are introverted. 

 

You deal with clients on a one on one basis. Less overwhelming than say, retail during the Christmas rush.

 

Did so for years. Never again.

[Lord Jade Cross]

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[Guest]

6 hours ago, Jade Cross said:

I wouldnt recommend an anxiety attack as a fix for people who have had their life drained by working in customer service.

As stated, you need to have a sense of humor or a certain predisposition to work in most customer service jobs. Its otherwise soul robbing for some.

 

If you're ahead of the ball game and don't even want to get into such a career as are self-aware to your limitations, all the power to you.

 

I got into the wrong customer service jobs initially in my career. I.E The hunting sales types of jobs. I'm not built for them. I try to serve clients based on their needs, not bully them into buying, with 5-6 aggressive rebuttals forcing their backs into the wall. Eerily enough, my way of doing things, made me highly successful in such jobs, but my bosses would heap tons of pressure telling me their ways were better, yet I was always dominating on the sales boards O_o.

 

Instead of constantly butting heads with a boss, I just quit.

 

I as a result started to seek sales jobs more built for my personality. I'm altruistic.

 

Customer service is a thankless job. Its even worse, if you're not built for it.

[Lord Jade Cross]

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[Emily Dialga Watson]

Even though I have really severe social anxiety I somehow manage to work in a supermarket, though since I never actually talk to any of my customers I don't think it is that great an achievement really.

I have no idea how I manage it and can only assume that because it's a small, local supermarket I feel comfortable working there. I also constantly tell myself that I need the money badly, which also seems to help!!

[Guest]

3 hours ago, Emily Smaug Watson said:

I have no idea how I manage it and can only assume that because it's a small, local supermarket I feel comfortable working there.

I think it's more like being in a concert audience, vs being on the stage. Easier to ignore a crowd when it doesn't  directly affect you. 

 

I did stocking at a department store as a teen, but never felt anxiety as clients approached me for directions 2-3 times per shift which is rare.

 

However, several co-workers calling in sick thrust me to the cash and with zero experience, with impatient rush hour crowds.

 

The anxiety went full scale. I thought I was going to pass out. 

 

I have since gained full control of my social anxiety to the point I can do a presentation in front of thousands and not bat an eyelid.

 

However still remember my first presentation. Panic attack, forgot my lines, and crowd laughing compounding the anxiety and no where to turn. No hole to dig.

 

I was baptized by fire, but if you can avoid it, its probably recommended.