All professionals benefit from developing a strong network—and that includes call center agents who want to grow their careers. Whether you’re looking for a new call center career, you already love working in a call center environment or you want to branch out into another field, it is good to grow your professional network so contacts can support you, mentor you, and provide references.
Knowing that a professional network matters is one thing. Taking steps to build one is another. Learn more about how to start building connections among call center employees and throughout the greater call center industry in Tijuana with these helpful insights.
How Can I Build Connections in a Call Center?
Building connections is a slow and gradual process, and that’s a good thing! Making networking part of your professional routine is a great way to build a strong foundation for your career path. Start by formalizing your internal and external contacts into a clear network.
First, reconnect with call center representatives and other professional contacts from past jobs and previous experiences. Simply reaching out, collecting their contact details, or following each other on a professional online network site can help your network grow. Take this step soon so you don’t forget anyone or feel like too much time has passed.
Next, you can start developing contacts from your current call center job. Take different approaches for external contacts and internal call center employees as you grow your professional network.
Interacting With Diverse Clients
Clients can be a rich source of professional contacts. Depending on what specialty in the call center industry you focus on, you might have a sustained relationship with B2B organizations, and those professional touchpoints form the basis of an ongoing customer relationship. Prioritize accounts where you’ve provided excellent customer service.
Pro Tip: Some call centers offer anonymized support for businesses. If you’re not sure, double-check with your supervisor before adding customer contacts or vendors to your network.
Collaborating With Team Members
Often, the strongest way to grow your professional network is with other call center agents. Fellow coworkers are easy additions to your network, and you can provide each other with support and references as you further your career in the call center world.
Also, branch out to coworkers outside of your direct team, such as technical support employees. As you become more senior, connect with entry-level call center employees so you can both grow your network and help them take the first steps in building their own.
Skills Development for Networking Success
At first, deciding to grow your professional network can be intimidating. But by building the right skills and habits, it becomes easier to reach out to contacts, stay in contact, and turn to your professional network. Here are some skills to consider developing.
Excellent Communication Skills
Communication is at the core of networking. You may need to ask people if you can use them as a reference, or you might need to write references for other people in your network. Many of the customer service abilities you’ve developed can help here: focus on being clear, make sure everyone benefits from the connection, and know how to ask for help.
Growing your communication skills can also make it feel less awkward because you’ll develop emotional resilience and familiarity. Over time, you’ll be more comfortable asking people to be references, sharing and collecting contact details, and progressing down your career path.
Organization
The best way to grow your network is to be organized. First, decide how you want to store all your network details. You might have a spreadsheet, contacts in your phone, or online platforms so you can reach out to your network.
Also, develop an organized approach to growing and maintaining your network. Schedule routine bits of time to add new coworkers at your call center job, update details as your professional contacts travel down their own career paths, and keep it tidy. It’s easy to get too far behind in managing your network, so break it down into scheduled tasks!
Employee and Customer Relationship Development
You want to grow your professional network, but the last thing you want is a list of call center employees and client contacts who have a poor opinion of your capabilities. In order to have a strong network, you need to have strong relationships where you have proven your skills.
A history of consistent and excellent customer service skills stops relationships from souring. You can even turn difficult customers into loyal advocates. Similarly, helping to chip in with technical support emergencies or providing some problem-solving assistance for your coworkers can develop your reputation as a helpful professional who is committed to teamwork.
Altruism
Demonstrate how you want your professional network to help you by helping your contacts first. Create helpful remarks for professional profiles, offer to be a reference or read over a CV, and support your network’s career growth. In essence, model what you’re looking for in a professional network.
By taking this first step and developing positive first impressions, you can build up goodwill, show people how to be a valuable member of a group, and have people ready to help you when you need support.
What Are the Call Center Roles That Expand Your Network?
Internal contacts and coworkers are some of the most important sources for your network. When you’re all working in a call center environment together, you’ll forge connections with entry-level call center representatives, experienced specialists, and managers. Try to develop connections with multiple different professionals.
Customer Service Representatives as Network Builders
Direct coworkers and team members can help you grow your network. They’ll provide helpful references and job support. They can also continue to be in your network as you or they change employers, get promoted to new roles, and see different career growth opportunities over time.
Supervisors and Managers: Broadening Your Horizons
It’s also important to network with supervisors and managers. They can have valuable advice as you grow your career or pursue promotions. They might even be interested in becoming mentors. By connecting with them early, you might even streamline your career in a call center environment.
Grow Your Network and Your Career—Apply for a Call Center Job at Seguros Confie!
A professional network is a great resource for anyone interested in developing their career. In the call center industry, staying connected with former coworkers, supporting current coworkers, and mentoring junior staff are all valuable ways to grow your network. The right call center will also support your networking goals.
Seguros Confie invests in its Tijuana call center teams with a focus on teamwork, ongoing professional and technical training, and career development. Start your journey by applying today, and find new coworkers and professional contacts who can help you grow.