Tell us about your job at 1-800-DENTIST and what you love most about it.
I'm currently working on the Live Chat team, helping people find a great dentist online. I started on the phones and from there I jumped to the e-team (the Web team). Then I worked in IT for about four months, helping out the Help Desk. Then I went back to operations, and I kept working on the e-team. Then we launched Live Chat.
I love Live Chat - it's so easy to talk to people through Live Chat. In some ways, I think it's easier for people to use Live Chat because all they have to do is type. And I like the fact that we can help consumers online.
I also love the people that work here! Everyone's friendly, we all get along and we all have each other's back.
What kind of skills do you need to do your job well?
When you're on the phones, your level of caring really needs to come through in every conversation. You have to be unique with every single person.
On Live Chat, you don't hear their voices - it's all typing - so you really have to find the right words to connect with that individual. You really have to pay attention to what someone's writing so that you can respond with empathy.
What's your idea of a great night out? A Lakers, Dodgers, or Kings game, Live music at the Viper Room or a movie at the ArcLight ... ?
There's so many things to out here! Something I do a lot is have a great dinner. I'm open for everything. We always try to go to different places - I like all kinds of food, Greek, Italian, Mexican, American. I really like Chili's®. A movie to go along with dinner is perfect.
Name one food you could eat every day for the rest of your life.
Pizza, no doubt about that! My favorite toppings are Italian sausage, pepperoni, thick crust, double cheese - the works!
What would you tell a consumer who's afraid to see the dentist or hasn't been in awhile?
I make sure they know I care and that they can trust me. I ask about their past dental experiences and their history - about anything that's happened - so that I can understand where they're coming from. Then I make sure they know that I can help them find a great dentist who can help them with their dental fears. ... When I talk to people who haven't been to the dentist in three or more years, they're sometimes embarrassed, but I let them know right away that we're not judgmental here at 1-800-DENTIST.
Island vacation or Alaskan adventure?
Island vacation. I would love to go Hawaii ... anywhere in Hawaii!
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
Well, I just got back from New York this past weekend. It's wild there! It's nothing like L.A. - just buildings everywhere. But it's a lot of fun. I don't think I could live there, though. I'd miss L.A.! I think New York's a good place to visit.
As far as living anywhere else ... that's hard. I've seen a lot of places on TV and they look cool, but for me there's nothing like Cali!
Why would you recommend 1-800-DENTIST to friends and family?
Well, I do know for a fact that callers will find someone friendly when they speak to someone live - our operators are remarkably helpful. Working here I've also noticed that our call center gets a high percentage of positive feedback, so it's proven that our service works! There's no question about that.
