Direct Interactions (DI) offers outsourced call center and customer service solutions for companies. They utilize work at home agents to provide ultimate flexibility and coverage for their clients. In this review, I will look at the work at home opportunity with DI.
If you’re interested in working from home, make sure to check out all of the other companies hiring now!
Direct Interactions Requirements
You must meet these basic requirements for all jobs with DI:
- 18 years of age or older
- Legal to work in the U.S.
- Have a high school diploma or G.E.D.
Here are some additional requirements that are posted for a specific job, CSR for Parking Information & Enforcement (additional requirements will vary based on the client and the job):
- Minimum of two years experience working in a virtual, work at home call center
- Must pass a criminal background check
- Need to have at least 1-year experience in a high-stress call center environment (brick and mortar or virtual) Examples include collections, 911 dispatch, fraud line operator, or roadside assistance
These are the skills and qualities DI looks for in their agents:
- You should possess a strong work ethic and be reliable
- To work at home, you need to be self-disciplined and able to work with minimal supervision
- Ability to quickly identify issues and resolve problems
- Must be able to build a positive rapport with customers and maintain a pleasant demeanor
- Able to troubleshoot and fix computer-related problems (you’ll need to care for your home office)
- Must be able to communicate clearly and effectively via email/chat
And finally, here are the technical requirements:
- Reliable internet Service (cable, DSL, fiber optic)
- A landline telephone with no features enabled (mobile phone are not accepted)
- USB headset (this is a client-specific requirement)
- PC computer running Microsoft Windows 7, 8 or 10 (Mac is not compatible)
- Antivirus and malware/spyware software with firewall enabled
Direct Interactions Application Process
DI is not hiring in HI, MA, MI, NJ, NY, PA, or Washington D.C. at this time. Click here to start the application process. The process begins by searching for available positions. This is a link directly to the available positions. When you view a position, you can apply from within the listing.
The first thing you do is submit your email. They will make sure you haven’t already created a profile. You will build your profile by simply uploading a resume, adding your name, and creating a password. Next, you will enter your contact info and submit to the next section. In the next section, you need to give your landline phone number and name the provider. This is where I had to stop the process because I don’t have a landline. It appears there are two more sections after this.
How Much Does Direct Interactions Pay?
DI call center agents are hired as independent contractors. Pay is typically between $10.00-$12.00 per hour.
For the job, CSR for Parking Information & Enforcement, the pay rate is $11 per hour (Bilingual Spanish offers a pay rate of $12 per hour once certified on all cities, Bilingual Russian is $11 per hour.) This job happens to have 5 openings at this time.
This client likes to promote from within. All current supervisors and managers began in this entry role. Bonuses are available and can exceed $1000 per quarter (good attendance is required), and you can track your bonuses in real time in your agent dashboard. You can also earn an additional $1-2 per hour by picking up “hot shifts,” which when available, are typically during business hours, Monday-Thursday.
When Does Direct Interactions Pay?
DI pays their agents twice a month by direct deposit.
Direct Interactions Schedule
You can work on more than one project at a time. DI offers mostly part-time positions. The hours available will vary based on the clients.
Direct Interactions Feedback
There are several reviews on Glassdoor. Overall, 52% would recommend DI to a friend. I’ll highlight the pros and cons here.
Pros:
- Can set your own hours
- Team leaders are nice
- Constant call volume on most days
- The job is simple; take payments and give out information
- Pass everything difficult to a supervisor (some might see this as a negative)
- Schedule 30-minute blocks, so you can schedule breaks for yourself when you think you’ll need it
- Equal Opportunity Employer who will hire people with disabilities
- Pay is good, plus incentives and unexpected rewards
Cons:
- Many times the callers are mad, and you have to keep your cool
- Favoritism shown by management, so it can be hard to do well if you aren’t a chosen favorite
- Training is on your own time, unpaid
- Many posts about the management being rude
- Even though you’re working from home, you have to ask for a bathroom break
- Pay is bad
Like most reviews, there are usually contradicting reviews. Whenever I read a really bad review, I think, maybe that person isn’t cut out for customer service. Or maybe there’s another side to the story. In this case, there were a couple positive reviews that I feel like are worth mentioning.
Someone who has worked for several other work at home companies over the last 8 years, commented that DI is by far the best. They said not to bother if you have bad attendance. The callers can be abrasive, but that just adds to the challenge and makes it more fun. That’s a great attitude for someone who is working from home!
Another said it is a great opportunity for her to stay home with her kids but add a legitimate income for their family. Again, perspective is sometimes the key.
Is Working for Direct Interactions a Scam?
Based on my research, Direct Interactions is NOT a scam. If customer service is your thing, and you’re up for a little challenge with possibly some difficult callers, DI could be a good fit for you! If you want to give it a try, here’s where you start the application.
Customer service jobs won’t be for everyone, make sure to check out the other work from home companies hiring now!
If this opportunity doesn’t interest you, check out these helpful links for some other work at home ideas:
I had the opportunity of working with Cliff regarding a workers comp. claim. I can’t begin to let you know what a pleasure it was to speak with someone who was knowledgeable, intelligent and carriage. After having to deal with an issue for the past 4 months, Cliff immediately recognized the mistakes I had made and was very helpful to explain the process and correct my mistakes. I would highly recommend Cliff and the excellent service he has provided to me.
Thank you Cliff
Good to know that Cliff took care of you, Mike.
*The comment above is a review of one of the workers not what working here is like.
Thanks for sharing
Brok