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Have you ever wanted to know what it’s really like to work from the comfort of your own home? Have you ever wanted to hear real-life experiences from those who have ditched the commute and gone through the application process?
In the upcoming series, we will be talking to remote agents from several companies that hire for work from home. We will hear their motivations for choosing remote life. We will get to know a day in the life of an agent in the virtual workforce.
Most importantly to many of you, we will also be hearing from a recruiter or hiring manager in addition to the interviewed agent. They will give us some insight into what the application process looks like, how long they keep applications on file, and how soon you can expect that first paycheck after being hired.
Our first interview is coming to us from NexRep. This company hires customer service agents to field calls from clients like Priceline, GrubHub, and more. I had the pleasure to interview two at-home agents and a company rep.
Rose Lynn B., Priceline Customer Service Agent
Why did you choose to work from home?
I was a full-time Pastor and Caregiver for both of my parents. After my mother passed in 2013, after 65 years of marriage, my father had a difficult time and started developing signs of dementia. We had always talked about nursing homes and care facilities and I had promised him that I would not place him in any facility. My father passed away on 11/29/16.
What made you apply to NexRep?
I researched several companies, but the reviews of NexRep appealed to me. The employees talked about how the company cared for them and how working at NexRep was more about being with family.
How long have you been with the company?
I applied in February but because of upcoming foot surgery, I could not commit to the training schedule. The person that interviewed me then offered me an opportunity to sign up in April for the next training class, which I gladly accepted.
How has this position allowed you to meet your personal needs/goals?
After having the 4th surgery on my foot, NexRep was a perfect fit. I was unable to drive or apply any pressure on my right foot and I needed a source of income to supplement my retirement. I am able to schedule my doctor’s appointments during periods that would not interfere with work.
What challenges do you face in this position?
As far as challenges go, my only challenge has been keeping my foot propped up while trying to type notes on cases that I assist customers with.
What’s your typical week like?
I generally schedule myself to start work between 4 pm and 5 pm and work until 10:30 or 11:00 PM. Again this allows me to make all my appointments, take care of my house chores and see to meeting the needs of my spouse and pets. There has never been a problem with payments, every other Friday my check is deposited into my bank account.
What’s the application process like?
The application process was easy, I listed my skills and experiences from working and was considered a fit for the Priceline position. NexRep has many working positions so when a person has particular skills that are required, they are offered an opportunity to apply/work for that particular division of NexRep.
Any tips for applying?
I would say that if you apply, you should be a people person, meaning that you can interact with all types of people from all walks of life. You should have a genuine desire to want to assist the person on the other end of the line with the same customer service you would expect to be given to you.
Shari, GrubHub Customer Service Rep
Why did you choose to work from home?
I had gone back to college to get my bachelor’s degree, and one of my classmates use to talk about working from home a lot. So one day while working on a team paper with her I asked her what she did from home. I decided to check it all out and applied. I fell in love with the whole concept, and how I was able to work around my classes. I first thought I would just work 20 hours a week and make a little extra spending money. Then I started banking some pretty good checks and Christmas became a whole lot easier(lol). I found myself logging in to take calls when I was bored and didn’t have anything else to do. I really enjoy it. My fiance is a Supervisor and travels to different Nuclear Power Plants for his job, these are temporary assignments. Being able to work from home allows me to travel with him so that we are not 3 or 4 months apart when he has to travel for his job. I am a grandmother of 4, soon be 5, and this allows me the opportunity to spend time with them and work, keeping my life balanced.
What made you apply to Nex Rep?
I was looking for a work-from-home opportunity and a friend had heard about NexRep. I went to their website to read about them and see what they had to offer. I have done work from home for about 12 years. They had several different programs to choose from and I applied for the one that best fit my needs and schedule. Their website is easy to use and provides a lot of information.
How long have you been with the company?
I have been contracting with NexRep for about 16 months now.
How has this position allowed you to meet your personal needs/goals?
Back in November, I was told I had cancer inside my nose and I was going to have to have treatments and surgery to remove it all. This was a very scary time for me and had a lot to deal with and worries. However, it was great not having to worry about a job. Because I contract my time I let them know I would not be offering my services for a little while but I would be back open for services as soon as I could. It really was a blessing not to have to worry about a job or if I was going to get fired for missing so much work. Being an independent contractor, I have that flexibility.
As for goals, it has been wonderful. I started out doing one campaign, Ontel, and then was asked if I would like to come over to another campaign GrubHub. I liked the opportunity to have more hours if I wanted them. I have had the pleasure of being a mentor allowing me to help others just coming onto the program if they needed some extra assistance. I enjoy what I do and the services I provide. There are additional opportunities available and are achievable if you are willing to apply your business.
What challenges do you face in this position?
Working from home I feel is not for everyone. It is easy to say or think hmm work from home that sounds great. Well, it is great, but also takes discipline. There are countless times I have wanted to go to lunch with a friend that calls, or even my daughters-in-law. Or spur of the moment want to babysit the grandbabies, but I have committed my business to provide services and need to be where I say I will be when I say I will be there. So for me, I think my most challenge comes from internet issues. It is your business’s responsibility to make sure your equipment is up and running. Keeping your computer updated, cleaned out, and reading all your emails.
What’s your typical week like?
Scheduling to me is great. We schedule 2 weeks at a time, but you have until Thursday of the previous week to make any final adjustments should you need to. After that, if something comes up you would need to list your time and see if another contractor can pick up that time for you. When starting your day it is best to log in a little early to read emails to make sure you are up to date on any changes, promotions, and additional information to help your business run smoother and provide the best customer service experience possible. We are invoiced every 2 weeks, and I have mine direct deposited so no worries.
There are team meetings, re-certification calls if interested offered from time to time to better help your business, and quality call audits to let you know how you are doing on your calls. If you find you have more time on a certain day and you weren’t scheduled you can head over to the shift board to see if there are any available shifts that another contractor may be requesting coverage for. So always opportunities to add more time if you wanted it.
Any tips for applying?
Just log onto the site, fill out the application, and hit submit, and I hope I see you along the way on the other side!! It really is that easy.
The NexRep Application Process
These answers were provided to us by NexRep directly.
What’s the application process like?
The application process is an online experience that is very user-friendly. We capture the typical personal information, and want to know what makes you amazing! We want to know what it is that makes you a strong candidate to provide professional services to our third-party client’s customers and have fun doing so. Once the physical application is submitted, and so long as you meet the qualifications, you are invited to a live assessment with a NexRep Specialist who will conduct a series of questions and exercises, as well as answer any questions you may have. Together, we will determine if you are the right fit for NexRep’s clients!
How long do you keep resumes on file?
Resumes are kept on file for five years. They are reviewed on occasion to identify possible candidates that may be a good fit for a new opportunity that may present itself.
What timeframe can be expected from acceptance to the first paycheck?
Once all contracts have been signed, an applicant is invited to join a program. (Note: A background check is required after acceptance and costs $25 which is the responsibility of the independent contractor.) The next step is for the contractor to get certified for services. This is done inside of NexRep’s Learning Platform and is program specific. Once a contractor is certified per NexRep’s third-party client requirements, they are eligible to receive a schedule of services that is also sponsored by our clients. The certification process can last three days to two weeks.
Is this a good job for someone needing a flexible schedule and/or still working a full-time job?
Flexible scheduling is the number one benefit of NexRep according to the independent contractors that provide services to our clients! NexRep receives a schedule of services from our third-party clients and we release that schedule to our independent contractors. This allows for independent contractors to provide services on weekends, weekdays, evenings, and overnights. There is even flexibility within a day! Contractors can service a cluster for hours in the morning, take the afternoon off to go to their other job or pick their kids up from school, and return that same evening to service another cluster of hours. NexRep is perfect for the stay-at-home Mom, the student, those in-between careers, and those seeking a career!
Can you give us an average hourly pay or average pay range?
There are many different methods of payment at NexRep, which are program specific. They include pay per minute of talk time services, hourly production services, commissions, and various combinations! The averages range from $10 to $25 per service hour!
Any tips for applying?
Yes! Apply and take the time to fill out the application thoroughly and share relevant information and experiences. Please “sell” yourself as to why you would be a good fit to best represent NexRep’s clients. Also, if you are one of the elite and receive an invitation for an assessment with one of our Specialists, please conduct that phone interview from your designated at-home workspace so we can ensure it meets NexRep standards!
Interested in applying to NexRep? Visit their Agent Opportunities page.
