BPO experiences: 'My job lets me push the limits'

We asked you to send in your experiences of working in a BPO -- whether you liked working there, if the night shift was stressful and advice you have for someone looking for a job in the sector.

We received an overwhelming response. Surprisingly, most BPO employees are very positive about their jobs and consider the night shift just a small part of it. Amrit Noronha, a 22-year-old senior technical analyst from Bangalore, had this to say about working at a BPO company:

Working in a BPO unit has been a great experience for me. It's been three full years now that I've been working at a BPO firm. I may be too young to work, but the BPO sector gives you many opportunities to improve your skills, connections and teaches you how to adjust to change and use that experience.

My job needs me to work regular night shifts, which has resulted in an addiction to coffee and lightning fast speed at my keyboard. This job keeps me completely occupied, and constantly striving to do my best. I have competition, real-time competition that allows me to push my limits further.

But why should you work in a BPO? Because it's a great opportunity! I agree, the long hours at the computer may not be healthy for your eyes, nor do 8-9 hours of sitting do you any good. But what matters to me the most is the methods I can employ to learn and use to solve issues.

• Is your workaholic boss turning you into one?

The shootout at Noida may invite speculation on safety of the kind of work we do and the odd timings. But someone has to do the job, and be the backbone of the organisation. At the end of the day, there has to be someone to answer the customer's call.

Rape, murder, shootouts and attacks keep happening. When there's a shootout at a school, do parents stop sending their children to school? So why should a BPO company be put in such a predicament?

How can we make the workplace safer than what it already is, that is something we need to definitely ponder. Risks are everywhere; we have to learn to live with it or learn to deal with it.

• How to ask for a raise

Senior trainer Lloyd D'Souza (27) shares what he has gained from working with a BPO firm:

I have been working in the BPO industry for over five years and have worked with a few BPO firms.

What I love best about the BPO industry is the kind of talent and kind of people it attracts. The industry, not having any specific formal educational requirements, is a potpourri of people from all industries, having left their jobs in their respective industries for different reasons. Most, though, seem to be attracted to the industry for the remuneration it offers (not surprisingly!), others for the learning opportunities.

I am a diploma holder in hotel management and catering technology myself, and joined the BPO sector right after I passed out of college and have never thought about joining the hotel industry since. And the fact that you have to go against nature and stay wake all night does not seem half bad considering the benefits it offers.

Pros of the BPO industry:

• Great place to learn a lot about a lot of things, from interpersonal communication to client management to high-end IT equipment and the best management practices.
• Don't have to wait for dead men's shoes for growth (you get promoted if you are good regardless of your tenure and age).
• Great work environment, which only few other industries can boast of.