2 hours in the life of a telemarketer

On Thursday, I participated in a (required) political phone survey for one of my classes. To clarify, I was the one doing the calling, not answering the questions.

I was given a list of random Boston phone numbers and was instructed to call as many as possible within the 2-hour period. Needless to say, most of the people I called didn't pick up their phones- most likely because the survey took place between 6:30-8:30...the time when most people sit down to dinner and refuse to answer the phone due to pesky telemarketers like myself.

Listening to the people around me rattling off questions on the phone made me feel inadequate. As if I lacked some sort of telemarketing  je ne sais quoi or something. Maybe I just don't have a good phone voice.Only one lady actually agreed to participate in the survey, and I was thrilled. After so many rejections, hang ups, and unanswered calls, I wanted to personally go to this lady's house and hug her.

I think that if I pursued a career in telemarketing, my self esteem would plummet. All those rejections...and to think people made up excuses not to talk to me! It's awful. I hope I never have to do this again. Ever.

That's my friend Arielle. Apparently, she has a nice phone voice, because people talked to her.
My headset didn't even work! Figures...


Well, at least I didn't go through the entire survey process only to realize the guy I interviewed wasn't even eligible to vote...which happened to my friend Arielle.