CHICO — Applicants for the 230 jobs that Milestone Technologies are filling in Chico don’t need to be technology gurus, according to job placement officials.
The emphasis now is on “customer service, customer support,” said Luis Moreno of Alliance for Workforce Development in Chico.
Moreno said the community may have gotten a wrong impression about the type of positions that Milestone is offering in its call center, being called a contact center.
The Fremont-based company helps its clients with IT and technology problems.
“If people use these technologies, like Google Docs, that’s half the battle,” Moreno said. Applicants will be getting specific training in what they need for the job.
Moreno said applicants may be thinking they have to be computer science wizards.
“If they’re using this stuff personally, the rest is training,” he said.
The last day to register online for the job fair is Friday.
Asked about what a person could do to be ready, Moreno said be sure to update the resume and include a cover letter. The latter he described as “an introduction, a way to sell yourself.”
“It’s a thin line between boasting and selling yourself.”
The Butte County Employment Centers in Chico and Oroville can help applicants create their resumes and cover letters.
Applicants can drop in to the Oroville center at 78 Table Mountain Blvd. or Chico center at 2445 Carmichael Drive. Appointments are not necessary, and the assistance is free.
Applicants are being encouraged to register online for a 15-minute slot at the Saturday job fair at Chico State University’s Bell Memorial Union auditorium from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Applicants can register at www.milestonepowered.com/chicojobfair.
Moreno said a walk-in applicant will be accommodated, but may be rescheduled for the next job fair, initially planned in November.
Milestone announced the first training would start on Oct. 21, with the Chico facility at the airport opening in December.
As far as what applicants can expect on Saturday, Moreno gave a summary.
“There are different phases. You register. Then you get a phone test. There are small booths set up for that, and you’ll interact with someone. Then there’s a face-to-face and a (human resource) part. When you pass all those, then you’re on to face-to-face interviews on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.”
“If you make it to the interview on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday, you’ve got a good chance” of getting a job, Moreno said.
Breakfast and coffee are provided.
Milestone is offering starting salaries at $15-$19 an hour with benefits.
Fremont-based Milestone decided to expand in Chico, where it opened an office last year.
There will be two positions initially hired, contact center customer support agent, and contact center supervisor.
“I encourage everyone to apply. If they have any customer service experience, that’s being highlighted, or if you have call center experience,” Moreno said.
“These are great jobs.”
Moreno said about 400 interviews had been set up of the 1,000 CEO Prem Chand said he was hoping for.
Moreno stressed being in an interview can give an applicant a head-up.
“You might be able to sell yourself in an interview that you can’t do in a resume or online.
“Don’t eliminate yourself. Give yourself a chance,” he said.
Original source can be found at ChicoER: http://www.chicoer.com/news/ci_24170670/milestone-jobs-more-about-customer-service-than-tech
Reach Laura Urseny at 896-7756, lurseny@chicoer.com or on Twitter @LauraUrseny.
About Milestone – Milestone Technologies, Inc. is a leading supplier of technology products and support services. From the desktop to the data center, the organization is focused on client success. When clients are able to serve their customers better and more efficiently, Milestone has accomplished their mission.
