Sure, it’s only a cabinet factory, but it still sucks. One way to find solace in there is to imagine all those lucky f***s I knew at college being forced to work like this–that’s hilarious!

You’ll dial dozens of numbers in a shift, maybe a hundred or two even if you’re really hard-working, desperate and have nothing better to do. More than 2/3 of them will be people not picking up their phone so it might just go to answering machine. Then of the people who do pick up or call back maybe 2/3 of them will either just “not interested” before you can get out the whole pitch or demand you take them off the list … and of course the occasional hothead and people that make empty legal threats – oh no, you’re going to sue us for politely greeting you and offering you a discount sale over the phone? Omg we’re so scared. This job is not for everyone, if you’re sensitive and take easy offense to rudeness aimed at you just spare yourself. You can meet very interesting people who take up this line of work though.

It’s incredibly RARE to find someone who wants to hear what we’re offering, meaning you’ll put in 100% effort, get back maybe 1% reward on it, maybe more if you’re lucky but as there are no real guarantees you might go a whole week or whatever with NOTHING to show for all your hard work. And I get it – I used to be one of YOU. Annoyed by a surprising stranger calling me with some offer that might be scam, probably just delete telemarketing messages before you even listen to them. Yes, I know we’re nuisances, yet it’s difficult to get people to listen even when we’re not asking for money.

There were many, many, many disappointments in my office last week. One boss wanted to guilt everyone into staying the full shift even after they’d gotten their disappointing paychecks and news. He got REAL quiet when I mentioned “not paid by the hour” Hahaha but I bet a lot of them won’t be back.

Sales and marketing are pains. If you take one of these jobs it’s probably better to look for one where you’re getting a wage, stipend, salary or something so you’ll know you’re getting something for all the crap you’ll have to put up with and people you’ll have to pester.