| Frequently Asked Questions about NEW Jobs for Home-Based Customer Care Representatives |
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| General Information |
| How do I apply to become a Customer Care Representative with NEW? |
| I have applied for a position and have not heard anything back. Do I need to reapply? |
| How will my interview be conducted? |
| Is there a fee to apply to become a representative with you? |
| Are there required meetings at the office (or anywhere)? |
| Are your representatives actual employees of your company or are they independent contractors? |
| What career advancement opportunities do you offer? |
| How do I contact someone about my application? |
| NEW Pay & Benefits |
| How much do your representatives get paid? |
| Do you pay by the hour, or by the call? |
| How often are your employees paid? |
| What is the process for sending/receiving pay? |
| What are some of the benefits you offer? |
| Nature of Work |
| What kind of work would I be doing? |
| Are there performance evaluations? |
| Would I be doing telemarketing (calling people to sell them things)? |
| Does an employee get to choose which program he/she works on? |
| What kind of support will I have while I am working? What if I have questions? |
| Are there an average number of calls I would be required to take during each hour I work? |
| How would I know if it's a call for the company or someone calling me? |
| Home Office Requirements |
| Does NEW provide me with the equipment required for this position? |
| What are the equipment requirements for this position? |
| I have a cell phone that I can use while I am on the Internet. Is that OK? |
| Why can't I use my IP (VoIP) phone? |
| I'm willing to have a Broadband Internet connection (or extra phone line) installed, but can I apply for a job before I buy it, and have it installed once I ve been hired? |
| Are there other requirements in addition to those listed on your web site? |
| What ISP (Internet Service Provider) should I use for my broadband Internet access (i.e. Cable modem, DSL, FiOS)? |
| I meet all the requirements you are looking for except I have a Macintosh rather than a PC/Windows computer. Is working on a Mac platform acceptable? |
| Are my home set-up expenses tax deductible? |
| Training |
| Where are the training sites? |
| How will I be trained? |
| Do I have to pay for training? |
| How long is training? |
| Does everyone make it through training successfully? |
| How often do you offer classes? |
| Will I be required to take a test after training? |
| Scheduling |
| If I became an employee of your company, would I have to work at fixed times, or could I work whatever hours I want? |
| How many hours do you require representatives to work? |
| Are the positions part-time or full-time? |
| How often do you post schedules? |
| Are you in need of people to work late-night hours? Weekends? |
| General Information |
| Q: How do I apply to become a Customer Care Representative with NEW? |
| A: All applications are to be completed online at www.newhomebasedccr.com/applications.htm Back to Top |
| Q: I have applied for a position and have not heard anything back. Do I need to reapply? |
| A: No need to re-apply. We contact people if they are accepted to advance in the selection process or if they are not selected. If you have not received a response, please review your bulk/junk folder as often times our emails are inadvertently routed to those.
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| Q: How will my interview be conducted? |
| A: Initial interviews will be over the phone, with subsequent interviews via phone and/or utilizing other communication tools (example, joining interactive interviews via the web). Back to Top |
| Q: Is there a fee to apply to become a representative with you? |
| A: Those who work on our home-based team are actually employees of our Organization, not independent contractors. Therefore, there are no fees associated with this career opportunity! Back to Top |
| Q: Are there required meetings at the office (or anywhere)? |
| A: Training will take place in a facility in your community. After training has been completed, the majority of your ongoing or recurrent training will take place via conference calls or utilizing other web-based learning tools. However, depending on training topic and tools needed, there may be rare occasion requesting you visit the training facility for a specific session. Back to Top |
| Q: Are your representatives actual employees of your company or are they independent contractors? |
| A: All of our representatives are employees of NEW. As an employee of NEW, you do not incur any costly or extensive obligations that are required of an independent contractor, including filing as an S Corp or LLC, filing quarterly tax returns, being responsible for all FICA and Social Security payments, or maintaining ongoing legal and accounting records. In addition, we don't expect our representatives to bear the risk of not being paid between calls (particularly during slow call periods) or the expense of costly training, both of which are typical in an independent contractor relationship. Most importantly, however, our representatives are an integral part of our team and our culture a status that can only truly be achieved as an employee. Back to Top |
| Q: What career advancement opportunities do you offer? |
| A: We offer our employees the opportunity to not only increase their skill level in their position as Customer Care Representative, but also provide a Career Path system which facilitates development and preparedness to take on other responsibilities and roles within our Organization. Many of our Representatives have moved on to Supervisory and other Management positions! Back to Top |
| Q: How do I contact someone about my application? |
| A: Please contact us via email at workathome@newcorp.com Back to Top |
| NEW Pay & Benefits |
| Q: How much do your representatives get paid? |
| A: While our pay rates vary based on the skill sets needed for each of our clients and their programs, that rate typically is about $9.00 per hour. The rate of pay is also determined by geographic location, ensuring we are competitive in the marketplace. Our Career Path system and bi-annual performance reviews provide additional compensation to base wage, based on overall individual performance for each specific reporting period. Back to Top |
| Q: Do you pay by the hour, or by the call? |
| A: We pay all employees for the hours they work, regardless of whether they are on calls or available to take the next call. As a NEW employee, you'll always know what you are paid. Unlike an independent contractor, you do not have to juggle multiple lines of business to make the "typical" rate. Back to Top |
| Q: How often are your employees paid? |
| A: Employees are paid every 2 weeks. Back to Top |
| Q: What is the process for sending/receiving pay? |
| A: We have two pay options for our Work at Home employees. We pay via direct deposit into their bank accounts or through a Visa or MasterCard checking card. Back to Top |
| Q: What are some of the benefits you offer? |
| A: NEW has capitalized on the number of Virtual employees to offer discounted insurance options for medical, dental,and prescription. We have partnered with Aetna and are able to provide group discounts for such coverage and also offer convenient payroll deductions for premium deductions. These deductions are pre-tax, which means that it will lower your taxable income. NEW offers up to 6 days of Paid time off for employees that work 40 hours per week and we offer monthly incentives.
We are a privately held organization so this allows us to participate in profit sharing. Every employee that has been with our company 12 months or longer is eligible to participate in this program. While a profit share payout potential is determined by Company profitability overall, it is driven by the participation and contributions of each employee throughout the year!
NEW also offers an employee referral bonus program, monetarily rewarding employees who have referred an individual to our Organization, who has succeeded in their initial position with us.
NEW also has a fresh program called NEW University. NEW University allows employees to learn new professional skills that range from IT related topics to current Human Resources practices, and many more!
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| Nature of Work |
| Q: What kind of work would I be doing? |
| A: You will be providing customer care on behalf of our Client. Their Customers call us for troubleshooting guidance with various products or programming issues, as well as assistance with their monthly billing. Back to Top |
| Q: Are there performance evaluations? |
| A: Yes, we offer performance evaluations twice per year, in April and October. Back to Top |
| Q: Would I be doing telemarketing (calling people to sell them things)? |
| A: This is not a telemarketing career! We provide customer care to inbound callers from our Client s Customer base. Back to Top |
| Q: Does an employee get to choose which program he/she works on? |
| A: NEW determines the best fit of personality and other characteristics for representatives based on the requirements of a given client. We then screen applicants based upon those requirements. If you are a match for more than one of the clients for whom we are hiring, we may ask you to select your preference. Back to Top |
| Q: What kind of support will I have while I am working? What if I have questions? |
| A: Even though you will be working from the comfort and quiet of your home, you will have the support of your program team. We always have team leaders, coaches or support representatives all with expertise in your program available to you in secure chat rooms, as well as by phone. Similarly, we provide round-the-clock technical support for any problems you may encounter with applications needed to perform your work. Back to Top |
| Q: Are there an average number of calls I would be required to take during each hour I work? |
| A: Performance goals are determined in accordance with our clients' needs. In order to operate as efficiently as possible for our clients, you will receive calls in a fairly steady stream during each work shift. The ability to handle those calls with the appropriate balance of excellent customer care and efficient resolution will be one of the things you will be trained to do well! Back to Top |
| Q: How would I know if it's a call for the company or someone calling me? |
| A: You will be connected to our telephone system during the entire period of each work shift, resulting in the inability to take personal calls during your shift. Back to Top |
| Home Office Requirements |
| Q: Does NEW provide me with the equipment required for this position? |
| A: While we can make recommendations for equipment purchases (phone, headset, PC) and may be able to provide some discounted packaging options, the employee is responsible for purchasing and maintaining working order of the required equipment. All required equipment needs to be up and running by the first day of training. Back to Top |
| Q: What are the equipment requirements for this position? |
| A: The following are the basic equipment requirements:
" PHONE: Must be a corded phone connected directly to your hard-wired analog phone line. Cordless phones and cell phones are not acceptable. Call waiting, voicemail and any other feature that will interfere with receiving incoming calls, must be disabled during working hours. Voice-over-IP phones and digital phone service is not acceptable.
" PC: A computer running Windows XP SP2 or Vista and Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.xSP1 or Internet Explorer 7.0.
" Broadband Internet Access This is a high speed internet connection that must be able to consistently provide download speeds of 768 download and 256 upload. This must be a hard wired service such as DSL/Cable/Fiber. Wireless service or Satellite broadband services are not acceptable.
" HEADSET: Minimum specifications include a corded headset with noise-cancelling microphone and mute feature, hands-free design (one ear or two ear designs are acceptable). Note, Blue Tooth and cordless headsets are not permitted. Prices on headsets with the features listed above range from $25-$100. All required equipment needs to be up and running by the first day of training.
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| Q: I have a cell phone that I can use while I am on the Internet. Is that OK? |
| A: We require that the phone you use be a regular, corded phone, with a corded headset. In order to maximize security and sound quality, representatives may not use cell phones, cordless phones, or VoIP phones to connect with our systems. Back to Top |
| Q: Why can't I use my IP (VoIP) phone? |
| A: We are very excited about the potential of IP telephony or digital service, and use it extensively within our protected and controlled internal network. However, due to performance issues, security and sound quality issues, our representatives may not use IP phones or a digital phone service to connect with our systems at this time. We will continue to explore this option for future implementation. Back to Top |
| Q: I'm willing to have a Broadband Internet connection (or extra phone line) installed, but can I apply for a job before I buy it, and have it installed once I ve been hired? |
| A: We require our trainees to have their home office set up with the requirements as outlined above. All required equipment needs to be up and running by the first day of training. Back to Top |
| Q: Are there other requirements in addition to those listed on your web site? |
| A: There are no other requirements for your home set-up. Only that you have: " A computer running Windows XP or Vista(Home, Professional, or Media Edition) and Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.xSP1 or Internet Explorer 7.0 " The ability to be on a corded telephone line, with a corded headset, while on the Internet (but not a VoIP phone); " A corded headset (specifications will be provided to you upon hire) " A quiet work environment throughout your entire shift " A secure work space to maintain corporate privacy requirements " Broadband Internet Access
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| Q: What ISP (Internet Service Provider) should I use for my broadband Internet access (i.e. Cable modem, DSL, FiOS)? |
| A: We do not specify or endorse a particular ISP or carrier. However, we do require that the ISP provides consistent "up" time and that you have an unlimited-use package. All connections from the ISP to your home, and within your home to your computer must be through a hard wired connection. Wireless service or Satellite broadband services do not meet our requirements. Speed should be at least 768 KBs download and 256 KBs upload. Back to Top |
| Q: I meet all the requirements you are looking for except I have a Macintosh rather than a PC/Windows computer. Is working on a Mac platform acceptable? |
| A: Due to the operating systems and applications this position requires as well as the additional support the Mac platform requires, we are unable to support platforms other than Microsoft Windows XP SP 2 or newer, and Internet Explorer 6.0 or newer. Back to Top |
| Q: Are my home set-up expenses tax deductible? |
| A: We are not able to provide tax advice. Please contact a professional tax advisor for the answer to the question.
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| Training |
| Q: Where are the training sites? |
| A: The current training sites are: Watertown, NY, Wichita Falls, TX, and Lawton, OK, Tyler, TX, Albany, GA,Bowling Green,KY,Jonesboro,AR,Terre Haute,IN,Texarcana,TX. Please keep in mind that training must happen in one of these locations. Back to Top |
| Q: How will I be trained? |
| A: Training takes place in centralized locations in a classroom setting. Back to Top |
| Q: Do I have to pay for training? |
| A: Unlike the independent contractor model, you do not pay for training. Instead NEW will pay YOU to go through training! Back to Top |
| Q: How long is training? |
| A: Training varies by client, but ranges from a 4-week course to 6 weeks. Back to Top |
| Q: Does everyone make it through training successfully? |
| A: Even as careful as we are in selecting the "best of the best," we do sometimes have representatives who find that they are not able to successfully complete our training classes. It isn't that the training is particularly difficult, but not all people are cut out for all types of work. Back to Top |
| Q: How often do you offer classes? |
| A: Class offerings vary by client and by the number of representatives we are training at any given time. Typically we offer several sessions of training, however training schedules are fixed and 100% attendance is required. Back to Top |
| Q: Will I be required to take a test after training? |
| A: You will be tested at various points of your training to ensure your ultimate success once you begin taking calls. Minimum training requirements must be met at each evaluation point in order to continue on in the training process and maintain employment. Back to Top |
| Scheduling |
| Q: If I became an employee of your company, would I have to work at fixed times, or could I work whatever hours I want? |
| A: Schedules are agreed upon at the time of hire. Once you accept a schedule, you will work that same schedule until you request and are approved for, a change. Requests for change in schedule may be submitted only after 90 days of employment and are approved based on business needs at the time of request. Back to Top |
| Q: How many hours do you require representatives to work? |
| A: Maximum of 40 hours per week. Back to Top |
| Q: Are the positions part-time or full-time? |
| A: NEW employs both full-time and part-time representatives. Back to Top |
| Q: How often do you post schedules? |
| A: Weekly - although your schedule doesn t change, we include lunches, breaks, team meetings, and coaching opportunities with your Supervisors. Those items do change on a weekly basis. Back to Top |
| Q: Are you in need of people to work late-night hours? Weekends? |
| A: Yes, we have shifts at all hours because we operate 24/7. However, based on our call volume, some shifts may not require additional staffing. Back to Top |