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Taking Centre Stage

In the dog-eat-dog world of directory assistance, one company, it seems, is certainly not struggling to pull in the crowds. 118 118, launched in 2002, is now the most frequently called number in the UK and has some equally grand ambitions for the future.

Otherwise known as ‘The Number’, 118 118 is part of the US business InfoNXX Inc, the largest independent directory assistance supplier in the world. Their European HQ – located at their Cardiff Gate call centre is one of two bases in the UK, with the other housed in Plymouth. They also have a call centre in Manila and they’ve recently acquired Conduit, a company you’ll know better as 118 888, who also provide outsourced call centres in the UK.

Employing around 1,500 people in the UK, they pride themselves on an environment that’s as sociable as it is supportive and a service ethic which takes customer care to a whole new level. Answering hundreds of thousands of calls everyday, they’ll find just about any piece of information you could possibly imagine, sometimes on the bare minimum of given information. Gone are the days of a simple number request – nowadays you can get your cinema times, your lottery results and your long-lost brother’s whereabouts – all in the blink of an eye. Says Jason, who’s worked for 118 118 for two years, “you get the odd caller who says, ‘I’m opposite the supermarket under the flyover, where’s the post office?’. You’d think it would be impossible to get anywhere with that, but if you know how to use our incredible system, you can invariably track down the answer. To us, it’s an irresistible challenge.”

This can-do attitude, characteristic of all their staff, is largely down to the fantastic training and uncompromising ambitions of this dynamic company. Every member of staff is well looked after from the moment they enquire about a job. From the welcome pack to the open-plan environment and range of shifts to suit, there’s not much more to ask for if you’re a people person looking for work. And if you do have your own transport, their offices are just off M4 junction 30 – really easy to get to, avoiding all that city centre traffic, and with plenty of free parking.

And the good news is, they’re recruiting right now. Call 0800 092 2119 or visit www.thenumber.com/jobs for more information quoting ‘Welsh Recruitment’.


Job Advertisement: Customer Service Advisors, 118 118

(Picture: Photo of a Mother and daughter walking on a shingle beach towards the sea, the mum has a speech bubble saying ‘Welcome to 118 118, how can I help you? Said the winner of the Penarth Mums and toddlers three-legged race.’

CUSTOMER SERVICE ADVISERS

£competitive + benefits I Cardiff

Our calls are as interesting and varied as you are. And, whilst you’re not going to have time to spark up a conversation with every customer, we’d like to think that a bit of what makes you who you are will come across. To find out more call us on 0800 092 2119 or visit
www.thenumber.com/jobs

Call centre jobs with a bit of personality