Devoted to the call center industry, the agents on the phones, and their managers

Q:  How do I keep my voice in top shape so I avoid losing it while I’m on the job?

A:  This doesn’t happen to everyone who works as a call center agent, but it is prevalent with newbies.  It’s simply because they are not used to talking all the time.  Here is a list of things you can do to prevent losing your voice.

Make sure you have enough water to drink while you work.  Okay, I’m hearing “soda”, “iced tea”, “Gatorade”, “coffee”…stop right there.  This will not help you preserve your voice.  Let’s stick to water and make sure that it isn’t freezing cold.

Adjust your mic and headset.  You have to be mindful of how loud you are speaking.  If you talk in your natural voice, then you will last longer.  Sometimes it’s easier to raise your voice to a level that your customer can hear you but you don’t notice that you are straining your voice at the same time.  Very few notice this and the next thing you know, you feel so tired and you feel uncomfortable.

Rest your voice.  Don’t speak a word.  During your breaks, give yourself some “alone time”.  I know you’re itching to tell your friends about your last call, but wait until your shift is over.

Some might suggest lozenges but I disagree.  It’s like candy to me and it doesn’t really help.  I would rather you drink something hot to soothe your throat.

If you smoke, then try to avoid it during your shift. Aha – yet another scream in the back row.  Yes, smoking can help relieve the stress (though bad for your health) but believe me it will keep you from having an itchy throat.