Are you over 30 and feeling stagnated in your job? Feel frustrated about the lack of job opportunities? Worry madabedi, you will be hot soon! Call centers want you!

Imacrea, a project team of the Industrial Engineering and Management department of RV college, Bangalore has studied the BPO and call centre industry and come up with some interesting findings.
Nearly half a million Indians are employed in the sector of which close to 80,000 in Bangalore alone. Despite the pay levels which are relatively high, many youngsters no longer seem to be lured enough to stay for long in the sector. As a consequence, in the interest of longer employee retention, the industry is now looking at retired and mid-career professionals who may bring more expertise and insight and longer commitment to their employer.
BPO trainers and employers indicate that 40% of those recruited by call centres in the next 5 years will be in the age group of 30 – 35. They will also consist of housewives, retired people and people with physical disabilities.

A very interesting opening for mid career employees, feeling stagnated and looking for a change and a brilliant way to tap the potential of those with the requisite profile but unemployed. Certainly the employers will have a lot to gain by engaging these individuals with previous experience in customer support and other areas requiring people skills. But the question still remains how they can cope with the working hours which these jobs would require them to keep.

(Source: Vijay times Thursday 20 July 2006)