Underpaid with fringe enefits
Pros
I worked in customer relations. Fundamentally, this meant first-line consumer contact for hundreds of products: everything from the storied tea to cosmetics. I love talking to people and have a passion for customer service, meaning this was the perfect place for me. Since most consumers love the products, about 80% of the calls were actually compliments! Happy clients are always a big plus anywhere. Discounts on those yummy products was also a plus. Discounts on those yummy products was also nice.
Cons
Given the mantra from upper-ups that customer relations was "literally the most important department after production" (evidenced by the absurd number of products we were charged with representing—I conducted many a long "consultation" with people about facial cleansers with nothing more than a company script in front of me), it was ever the mystery that we were some of the lowest paid (hourly, with a steady rotation of temps). Having moved on to become a business owner and employer myself, I've learned that happy employees mean happy customer contact, thus better and more business.
