Hundreds line up to apply at Convergys

The recruiting team at Convergys, a customer management corporation, opened the doors of its Sugg Parkway offices Saturday morning to hundreds of smiling people determined to make a good first impression.

The company hosted a job fair to hire 250 new customer service representatives for one of its clients, a cable television provider. In the best of economic times, that is welcome news. In today's economic crisis, it's cause for celebration, and essentially what Sarah Smith, senior recruiting manager for Convergys, expected, she said.

“We're ecstatic to be in this position. We were very happy yesterday when we saw the ad in The Daily Reflector and went out to hang the ‘Now Hiring' signs and others for the job fair,” Smith said.

The timing couldn't be better, she said.

“Especially with the holiday season coming upon us and knowing people are being laid off, it's wonderful to help our company and the community as well,” Smith said.

So what made the celebration possible?

“One of our clients ... a telecommunications firm, expanded its base, and we're reaping the benefit of that with 250 long-term positions with full opportunity for advancement,” Smith said.

The new employees will do what Convergys agents typically do: receive calls from customers experiencing a problem of one kind or other with their service, troubleshoot over the phone by sending signals to the customer's device at home and, hopefully, make repairs on contact. Beyond that, they will try to sell upgrades to the services customers have.

Recruiter Nick Bautista described the qualifications and attributes his team would seek.

“We look for people who can type at least 25 words per minute. Sales experience is not mandatory, but a plus, because they will be doing sales here. So it's a combination of being a go-getter and a logical thinker,” Bautista said.

Other traits the company looks for are empathy, patience and politeness, the recruiters said.

“For many people, cable is a matter of life and death. Many customers call in upset, so you have to be able to stay calm and have a long fuse,” Bautista said.

All the positions are entry-level, but are considered stepping stones to advancement within the company, which prides itself on development of its employees, Smith said.

“This is a global company with many opportunities for advancement around the world, if they stay with us. We're always looking for talent to develop,” she said.

As 9 a.m. approached, the long line outside the doors was a welcome sight to Smith, who walked out to greet everyone and tell them what to expect.

“It's going to make our job as recruiters easier, because the applicant pool is so large. We'll be able to select the best people for the job, the ones who really want to work and need to work,” she said.

The early bird in this day's pool of applicants was Naomi Edmondson, of Greenville, dressed in a smart black business suit with resume in hand. She had been there since 7:30 a.m.

“My dad told me about the job fair just last night, and suggested I show up early because I really need a job. I've been unemployed a fair bit of time and I'm ready for a change,” Edmondson said.

Behind Edmondson was Hiren Zatakia, who stepped up about 20 minutes after her, wearing a gray suit.

“I saw the story in the paper,” he said. “I was recently laid off from a mortgage company, providing customer service. Everything about my work there prepared me for this,” Zatakia said.

Nathaniel Hill, of Ayden, a former teacher, said he was used to talking with people, an ability that would serve him well in his new job, if hired.

“I have some pretty good communication skills,” Hill said, then quickly amended his comment when he looked at the application form in his hand and the long line behind him. “I meant to say I have excellent communication skills.”

Contact Michael Abramowitz at mabramowitz@coxnc.com or (252) 329-9571.