Did you know that call centers have been around since the 1950s? Now get this the first call center agents started working from home. That’s right, according to TCN.com, the first Call Center agents were housewives who would try to make extra money for there household by calling family, friends, and neighbors to sell baked goods over the phone.  According to Wikipedia, the first physical brick and mortar call center was a United Kindom Based Birmingham Press and Mall. Call Centers exploded all over the world with buildings that housed rows of people in cubicles taking calls towards the end of the 20th century. Now in the 21st century, some companies realize it saves money to let people make calls from home because there is no building to lease and no equipment to buy. Below are some Call Center Companies that exclusively hire work from home employees. 

SYKES Is an outsourcing call center that has both work from home positions as well as office positions. Sykes is well known for its work from home positions that can range from Customer Service Representative, Team Leads, and Support Representatives. Work From home, employees are mostly pleased working for this company. Sykes offers work from home positions in 40 states in the United States and Canada. When applying for a postion, make sure your state is listed. Sykes will give you a phone interview. However, a $45.00 background check is required when applying for a postion with sykes. The starting pay is $9.00 to $12.00 an hour to start. Unlike other work home companies, Skyes offers full medical and dental benefits. If you hired by Sykes, you will be an employee and not an independent contractor. Skyes provides a flexible schedule with many entry-level opportunities available. 

WORKING SOLUTIONS hires work from home agents to work as independent contractors to do a variety of different call center jobs. Working Solutions utilizes agents all over the United States, except CA, NY, PA, WA. You will take a test to see if you qualify for the postion. However, there is no background check or drug test given. You will get paid for training. If you want to train for additional positions after you are employed, it will be up to you to take the time and study for the postion. The pay can range from $9.00 to $30.00 an hour, depending on the client your taking calls for and your experience. You do get to make your schedule, so this can be your primary job as well as a second job. The key to making a decent income with Working Solution is to get as much training as you can for the different positions available.

CONCENTRIX is an outsourcing company that acts as customer support for many different companies and industries. Concentrix has both work from home and in-office positions available. Concentrix is has a 24-hour call center operation, so there are many shifts available. The application process can take up to 10 days to complete. The position open with Concentrix can range from Customer Sales, Customer Support, Team Leader, and Supervisor. Concentrix hires 47 states, excluding California, Vermont, and Alaska. You must have at least one year of customer service experience and type a minimum of 30 wpm. Per Glassdoor, the pay can start at $12.00 an hour but can vary depending on experience and postion. 

LIVE OPS is an outsourcing call center that takes calls for many different companies. You will work as an independent contractor call center agent. There is an assessment to take to get hired by this company. However, you will have to pay $65.00 for your background check and drug test. You will get to make your schedule. The pay is mostly per .25 cents per minute. You can earn a commission. However, some clients pay per hour. Live ops hire 40 out of the 50 states. You must have your equipment to work. You will not get paid for additional training you do for other positions. Additional training you choose to do for extra money will have to be done on your own time. 

ARISE is an Outsourcing virtual call center company that gives Agents who register with Arise the opportunity to open there own virtual Call center. I will only recommend Working for Arise if you are interested in running your own call center business. To get started with Arise, you will have to do a background check. However, for training, you will have to pay for it. If you want to continue to be an agent and want additional training so you can make more money, you will have to pay for that as well. In addition to paying for training, you will have to incorporate it as a business. When you register with Arise, you will be working for different independent contractors that have started a call center business with Arise. Arise connects clients with business owners using the Arise Platform. As an agent, you can make $9.00 to $14.00 an hour. I have researched this company, and it is a legit opportunity, but I suggest you do your research to make the right choice for you!