If you work as a call center representative, you may end up having to take a few night shifts. After all, it’s crucial for inbound call centers to be 24/7 to accommodate all their customers. Working these odd hours can pose some significant challenges for the newcomer. For that reason, we have compiled a few tips to help you get through your night shifts.
Working the night shift? Here are a few tips for providing outstanding customer service at odd hours.
Stick to Your Schedule
Some call center representatives take one or two night shifts per week. But if you’re an exclusive night shift worker, this actually gives you something of an advantage. Without getting enough sleep, it can be challenging to provide the highest quality of customer service that you are capable of. One of the best ways to ensure you’re getting sufficient sleep is by sticking to a regular schedule.
It’s no secret that humans are creatures of habit. If your sleeping schedule is not consistent, you won’t get the highest quality of sleep possible. As a night shift worker, this means that you should stick to your night shift sleeping schedule every day. Yes—that means weekends, too. It might be hard at first, but the more consistent your sleep schedule is, the better.
Use Caffeine (Smartly!)
That said, sleeping during the day isn’t always easy or practical. You are bound to have a few days of poor sleep followed by a shift in the call center. Some inexperienced night shift workers think they can rely on caffeine to get them through their shift. This is fine in a pinch, but can become a slippery slope if you depend on it too much. It could end up making you feel more tired or interfering with your ability to sleep later.
As a late-night call center representative, you will have to learn to use caffeine smartly. If your sleepiness interferes with your ability to do your job, caffeine can absolutely help you out. But try not to rely on it too heavily. Beyond a cup or two to start your day (or, in this case, night), you should only use caffeine in emergencies. If possible, see if you can develop a taste for black coffee, as opposed to its more sugary alternatives.
Eat Well
That brings us to our next point. Eating well is a great way to help you maintain energy throughout your shift. Just like with your sleep schedule, you have to adjust your eating schedule at night. Try to stick to regular meals, and drink plenty of water. Begin with a large meal before starting your shift. Sweet snacks will make you crash. For this reason, consider any of the following foods which could boost your energy:
- Fruit
- Nuts
- Fish
- Yogurt
- Oatmeal
At the end of the day, you know your body best. Over time, you will learn the combination of sleep, nutrition, and routine that helps you get through your shift.
The work of a call center representative isn’t always easy. But when you can help someone during their time of need, you know that it’s worth it.
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