fundraiser

call taker

sales

call center representative

entry level sales representative

Clever Contacts

They accept anyone and the interview is ridiculously easy. Even wearing informal attire will get you through the cut. This is intentional because everyone will either leave or get fired in the next few days. You’ll be lured into what seems like a nice environment that treats each other like a family, all at a very attractive $31.25/h rate. However, you’ll eventually soon realise what it actually is usually after the second day there. Everyone is casual, so there’s no job security whatsoever. Out of each cohort they bring in every Monday, maybe 1-2 in 20 people will stay for longer than 6 days. Despite being technically casual, you can’t make your own schedule or availability and you’re stuck there from 10am - 7pm which gives you no other time to do anything. Which would be fine if the work and the environment was actually enjoyable. You can opt for the part-time hours (2pm - 7pm) but again, even though you’re technically casual- you CAN NOT set your availability and will be expected to show every day. Their KPI’s are extremely hard to hit because it’s essentially 85% luck, 15% skill in terms of who you get on the other line and whether or not they want to make a donation. They ask you to follow a strict guideline in trying to keep to a script that will make you sound completely robotic. EVEN the supervisors sounded robotic reciting it. But there’s an also unwritten rule, “you must stop reading off the script and add your own flavour to it, but don’t deviate too much or you’ll get a slap on the wrist.” If you don’t get enough money, either from elderly people, people who are angry from being called over and over, or people who are feeling the struggle from increased interest rates and inflation, they’ll constantly shove it down your throat, won’t give any support or proper coaching, and they’ll eventually fire you. If you’re even a single minute late on your break back to work, they’re aware of it because of how everything on their system operates and you’ll be flamed for it immediately. If you’re not categorising the caller fast enough (average HAS TO BE ≤4 seconds) or they’ll flame you for it too. Everything is so strict whilst trying to put on a mask and maintain a  happy presence. You’re EXPECTED to cut off what the customer has to say unless they specify they’re driving, busy or seem mentally incapable. The list goes on. I don’t want to think about it anymore. Avoid this workplace like the plague unless you’re absolutely desperate or want to use it as a stepping stone to get some quick cash and move onto the next job. 

I applied to this job after seeing the appealing $31.25 rate - most of the people I talked to said they were only there because of the money. The interviewing process was literally asking a few questions and doing a rehearsal of a script and then you get the job. They say yes to almost everyone at first and then proceed to fire a lot of them once they actually finish training. The training is lazy and poor - think primary school level school environment. The management is incompetent at managing and have developed god complexes simply because they have no soul and enjoy hounding customers. Look at the Google reviews for this place, absolutely atrocious and a lot of the people we call absolutely hate this place. A majority of people I called during my time there gave off the impression that they had been hounded by Clever Contacts, called by them everyday and were extremely tired of them. Sales are far and few, you'll be hard-pressed to find sales without hounding them completely. All the staff are "nice" and constantly preach values of kindness and respect like a primary school classroom, take you out for timeouts like a child when youre making mistakes. In reality the staff don't care about you. There is zero job security - even if you do well for the first few months, if you make one mistake they'll publicly shame you for it. This job has an extremely high turnover rate, and it uses an attractive $31.25/h rate to lure people in. Don't bother, it's not worth the effort.

Working here gave me an introduction to the fundraising industry, but overall my experience was very challenging with this company.
	•	Management placed a heavy emphasis on meeting KPIs, often at the expense of employee wellbeing.
	•	Coaching feedback was delivered in a way that I personally found discouraging rather than supportive.
	•	Job security felt low, and I often was reminded I am replaceable regardless of how much effort I put in.
	•	Breaks and flexibility were very limited, which made it difficult to balance personal needs during the day (toilet, water.)
	•	The work culture did not feel supportive, with minimal training and frequent high-pressure morning meetings.
	•	Promised perks such as free food and rewards were inconsistent and not as beneficial as advertised.
	•	Staff turnover was very high, which made the environment feel unstable.

In my opinion, this was not a healthy workplace culture. After moving to another company in the same field, I found a much more supportive and balanced environment.

Advice to management: Invest in thorough training, provide constructive feedback that does not harm the wellbeing of employees, and create realistic goals that allow employees to succeed.

I have made a few friends at Clever Contacts, fellow tele-fundraisers and unfortunately watched them leave or get fired because of how hostile the environment is. This is not from the donors, which can be rough as well, but unfortunately due to the inconsistencies within the management and training teams. At first, I absolutely loved this job. I found it so rewarding connecting with different charities and people on the calls. However, as the weeks went on and I started making mistakes that resulted in formal warnings, I found myself crying from stress and anxiety at work. An experience I've never had in a workplace. This was not a result of stressful calls, which the calls can of course be a lot when you're talking to vulnerable people but due to the call coaches and lack of respect and kindness displayed by them (despite these being two values of the company). I take full responsibility for my mistakes when I was on the call floor and apologised profusely when I made them however it does not feel like I am being treated fairly. The money is great and this job has taught me how important it is to stand up for yourself.

Typical day at work includes morning meeting where managers yell, chant and clap, then you call people for the rest of the day, very boring and tedious. Weird cultish environment, a lot of people are Christian (nothing wrong with that), but as someone who is not religious felt like an outsider there. Some people do even morning bible study/ devotional , I thought was very strange personally and felt as though the company gamifies charity. Very high turn over rate, new training group bought in every week, so you feel replaceable. Have to ask for money 3 times on most campaigns, very hard when there is a cost of living crisis. Most call coaches are nice but really push you to hit KPIs, and I felt belittled sometimes. No one who works there actually enjoys it, but they are all jacked up on nicotine and caffeine to care. Ended up leaving because I was so beyond stressed it was effecting my physical health. 

The two weeks training period is absolutely ridiculous, they rush through it and then make you start calls the same day. And that wouldn’t be so bad if they gave you thorough training. I applied because it said full training provided and you don’t need previous experience. But the training was absolutely horrible. The management is good and so are the staff members so I can’t complain about that. I think they need to really focus on bettering their training instead of throwing everyone in the deep end. Apart from the training the only other issues is there’s no job security whatsoever. I got told on multiple occasions that they were worried for my job because I was falling behind and not doing “my best” apparently. Maybe if they trained you properly they wouldn’t have that issue. 9/10 people you’re calling are pensioners or struggling people that can’t afford to spend extra money. And we have to ask them for money at least 3 times or we get told we aren’t doing good enough and get in trouble. 

Everyday I’m greeted by positive, happy people.  At kick off the team and coaches always recognise and thank you for all your achievements for the  previous day, creating a great start to the day.  I have learnt to be more confident and not afraid to speak up and ask.  Management are always positive and encouraging, no matter how your day is going.  Workplace culture is great, accepting everyone from all walks of life in the community.  The hardest part of my job is not having the right words to express to a supporter when they are not coping well on the phone.  The most enjoyable part of my job is achieving goals for the charity knowing I am making a big difference in the community for people, animals and our environment.

Could put so many things while working here for 1 month. 
- Yelled at every morning at staff meeting. Each staff member gets there own nickname (whether it is befitting or not) 
- mangers not supportive 
- training and exam went forever 
- you don’t feel supported or secure at all 
- get fired  (“dismissed”) if you don’t hit the kpi and have to get walked back to your desk and pack your stuff in front of everyone, feels shameful. 
- limited staff are friendly, mostly only if you smoke or vape 
- timed bath breaks and lunch breaks. Even if you are over lunch by 1min your name will be put in front of the whole company to see 

The reasons why you should not waste your time here are endless. It’s not worth the mental or physical capacity. 


I come from a sales background and some other companies would train you for a while before they put you on the field either on the phones or on the pavement to get sales and incentives are good with this company the incentives are very small and not worth the effort ya have to put in to get the reward like 85% everyday target  and you get a bloody lollipop like cmon someone brings their a game treat them like one! I doubt any of the trainers actually could hit that themselves the culture is very clinical and cold 🥶 everyone is very tired all of the time don't bother wasting your time!
Go on talk to the top performers when you get hired see if it's worth it haha!

Clever contacts has been an incredible workplace to be a part of. The coaches and support staff are super supportive, especially for someone who came in without any telefundraising or fundraising experience. I felt encouraged and acknowledged throughout my training even though at times I wasn’t doing so well. It is awesome to be a part of a team that prioritises donor care all the while looking out for the best outcome for the charities we support. Clever Contacts is home to a warm and welcoming atmosphere and I believe this work will make anyone, not just a better communicator but a better person.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Fundraiser 1 salary reported	$33.50 per hour
Call taker 7 salaries reported	$31.25 per hour
Sales 3 salaries reported	$31.25 per hour
Call center representative 1 salary reported	$32.35 per hour
Entry level sales representative 1 salary reported	$33.50 per hour

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