Off The Record with Ann Kristine

AJ: "First Purchase Ko from My First Call Center Salary was Gas Stove."

AJ may have only spent a few months in the call center, but that doesn't mean it didn't give him the lessons that he needed. AJ shares his remarkable journey from starting a career in the BPO industry at just 18 to becoming the CEO of a virtual assistant agency. He discusses his early experiences in the call center, the challenges he faced, and the skills he gained that helped him transition to freelancing. AJ talks about the hardships of growing up in a poor family, his determination to work and study simultaneously, and his eventual realization that the call center industry wasn't for him. This candid conversation touches on the benefits and drawbacks of his BPO experience, the importance of communication skills, work ethic, and the role of human connection in business. 00:00 Introduction and Early Career 00:42 First Job Experience at VXI 02:22 Transition to Freelancing 03:45 Balancing Work and Education 06:10 Challenges and Lessons Learned 16:24 Building a VA Agency 27:03 Would You Rather Questions 31:42 Advice for Aspiring Call Center Agents Follow AJ on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thevateacher?igsh=MTZ4MHduODk5a2Zhbw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr] and Facebook. [https://www.facebook.com/share/19yrxsUAhR/?mibextid=wwXIfr] Learn more about Next Level Assist on Facebook. [AJ de Leon Jul 3, 2025, 3:39 AM to me, Aaron Hello Ann, Sobrang nakaka enjoy ang Podcast mo. Here are the links https://www.instagram.com/thevateacher?igsh=MTZ4MHduODk5a2Zhbw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr https://www.facebook.com/share/19yrxsUAhR/?mibextid=wwXIfr https://www.facebook.com/share/19YypLVqzS/?mibextid=wwXIfr] Call Center Agents: Sawa ka na ba sa “graveyard shifts” at unhealthy habits? Ang solution ng iba, find another work. Ang suggestion ko: Start with education. Here’s my recommended book: https://bit.ly/ireadthisbook3xafterbuyingit [https://awesome.jhilario.com/ambookbuy/?sa=sa0150266266eb92a4932454ef81ee0db7d6d96255]

Precious: "Switching BPO Companies Isn't Something I Am Proud of. Pero Grabe ang Pressure."

Switching call center jobs aren't necessarily job hopping. you'll learn from Precious. Precious shares her experiences working on a seasonal Mother's Day account, her journey through different roles like inbound sales and technical support, and the challenges she encountered. Precious talks about the pros and cons of working in the BPO sector, even with challenges like account dissolutions and layoffs. Precious provides valuable advice for those entering the BPO industry, highlighting the need for clear goals and viewing the experience as a pathway to future opportunities. 00:22 First Call Center Experience 01:47 Transition to Full-Time Call Center Work 02:33 Balancing Work and Education 04:46 Detailed Work Experience 09:39 Challenges and Benefits of Call Center Life 14:37 Work-Life Balance Issues 17:39 Understanding Team Leader Support 18:14 Impact of Training in the BPO Industry 18:59 Transitioning Between Accounts 19:36 Resignation and Pandemic Fears 22:26 Adjusting to Work from Home 27:31 Concerns About AI in the Workplace 30:19 Would You Rather Questions 33:12 Advice for Aspiring Call Center Agents Call Center Agents: Sawa ka na ba sa “graveyard shifts” at unhealthy habits? Ang solution ng iba, find another work. Ang suggestion ko: Start with education. Here’s my recommended book: https://bit.ly/ireadthisbook3xafterbuyingit [https://awesome.jhilario.com/ambookbuy/?sa=sa0150266266eb92a4932454ef81ee0db7d6d96255]

LA: " Grabe 'Yung Character Building na Ginagawa ng BPO Industry."

LA worked in one of the biggest BPO companies, yet she felt small. Bakit kaya? LA shares her BPO career journey, starting as a call center agent and evolving into the co-founder of The VA Hub. She discusses her motivations, challenges, and the valuable lessons learned from her BPO experience, including dealing with stressful commutes (and falling hair!), strict work disciplines, and building resilience. LA also dives into her transition to work-from-home roles and her involvement in pioneering a virtual assistant company. Additionally, she reflects on the impact of AI on the industry and offers advice to those considering a career in a call center. Listen to the episode to hear LA's candid insights and advice for aspiring professionals. 00:00 Introduction and Early Career Beginnings 00:34 First Job Experience at a Call Center 03:43 Challenges and Commute Struggles 07:43 Transition to Virtual Assistant 09:59 Founding The VA Hub 10:58 Reflecting on Call Center Life 23:46 Accident at the Workplace 24:46 The Importance of Training in BPO 25:26 Character Building in the BPO Industry 28:39 Transition to VA Hub 32:40 Side Jobs and Freelancing 34:52 Embracing AI in the Workplace 38:03 Advice for Aspiring Call Center Agents 39:33 Would You Rather Questions Know more about The VA Hub, check their global links: ⁠Website⁠ [https://thevahub.com] ⁠Facebook⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/thevahub] ⁠Instagram⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/thevahub/] ⁠LinkedIn⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/thevahub?_l=en_US] ⁠TikTok [tiktok.com/@thevahub⁠] Call Center Agents: Sawa ka na ba sa “graveyard shifts” at unhealthy habits? Ang solution ng iba, find another work. Ang suggestion ko: Start with education. Here’s my recommended book: https://bit.ly/ireadthisbook3xafterbuyingit [https://awesome.jhilario.com/ambookbuy/?sa=sa0150266266eb92a4932454ef81ee0db7d6d96255]

Nica: "Wala Namang Masyadong Nangyayari sa Team Building; Nagi-Inuman Lang."

Bakit nag-call center si Nica kung ang goal niya sa life ay mag-barko para mag-travel? Discover how Nica started her career in 2010, balanced work and studies, and navigated various roles and challenges over the span of 7-8 years. Learn why she eventually transitioned to freelancing, how she managed work-life balance, and her thoughts on the future impact of AI on the call center industry. Plus, get Nika’s advice for those considering a call center career and insights on how to continuously grow and adapt in a rapidly changing job market. 00:00 Introduction and Early Career 00:41 College and Work Balance 01:54 Call Center Journey Begins 03:00 Experiences in Different Companies 06:44 Challenges and Rewards of Call Center Life 18:46 Transition to Freelancing 25:34 Impact of AI on Call Centers 28:12 Would You Rather Questions 31:09 Advice for Aspiring Call Center Agents Call Center Agents: Sawa ka na ba sa “graveyard shifts” at unhealthy habits? Ang solution ng iba, find another work. Ang suggestion ko: Start with education. Here’s my recommended book: https://bit.ly/ireadthisbook3xafterbuyingit [https://bit.ly/ireadthisbook3xafterbuyingit]

Effie:  "Naglalaro ako, then, biglang may pop-up ads sa PC. 'Would you like to apply?'"

Effie shares his serendipitous start in the BPO industry back in March 2006, spurred by an online ad while gaming at a computer shop. With no solid career plans post-graduation, Effie's spontaneous application led to a long and eventful career in various call centers before transitioning to a virtual assistant role. He discusses the highs and lows of his journey, from quick promotions and robust training programs to the challenges of office politics and maintaining work-life balance. Effie also reflects on his transition to a work-from-home setup, the benefits he reaped from his call center experience. 00:00 Starting a Call Center Career 00:47 The Unexpected Job Application 03:25 First Day and Initial Interviews 07:52 Rapid Promotion to Supervisor 09:06 Transition to IBM 11:14 Challenges and Changes at Teletech 13:34 A Period of Growth 15:53 Moving On 17:29 Peak Career 23:12 Reflecting on Call Center Benefits 26:28 Downsides of Call Center Work 29:45 The Challenges of Micromanagement 30:49 Trust and Politics in Management 32:08 Personal Reflections on Management Style 41:11 Transitioning to a Virtual Assistant Role 51:52 The Role of AI in the Call Center Industry 54:12 Rapid Fire Questions 55:35 Advice for Aspiring Call Center Workers Proximity Outsourcing is an HR company that focuses on high-level placements and ongoing HR services. ⁠Visit their website to know more about their latest work opportunities⁠ [https://proximityoutsourcing.com/], or ⁠you may check their Facebook Page. [https://www.facebook.com/proximityoutsourcing/] Call Center Agents: Sawa ka na ba sa “graveyard shifts” at unhealthy habits? Ang solution ng iba, find another work. Ang suggestion ko: Start with education. Here’s my recommended book. [https://awesome.jhilario.com/ambookbuy/?sa=sa0150266266eb92a4932454ef81ee0db7d6d96255]