When one considers a career in debt collections, the career that likely pops to mind is the front-line collector ? the person wearing a headset, calling debtors to make good on their overdue accounts. Though there?s plenty of work for collectors, more types of work exist at a collections agency.
Careers In Collections
“We have a lot of turnover in collections staff,” said Harry Strausser III, “but that?s where most of the careers are.”
Strausser is the Association of Credit and Collection Professionals (ACA) International president and president of Remit Corp., in Bloomsburg, Pa. ACA International is a Minneapolis-based, international trade association for credit and collection professionals with approximately 5,500 members worldwide.
Once trained and experienced as a front-line collector, many more doors open up within an agency.
“With that experience, you can do anything,” said Strausser. “It?s like job security.”
In large agencies, there might be multiple levels within the collector career. The entry-level collectors might be put on easier accounts, while more experienced collectors are placed on older accounts.
After spending time in the trenches, qualified and experienced collectors can climb the ladder toward management as a collections supervisor.
“The supervisor takes supervisor calls, but their main job is to nurture 10 to 12 collectors,” said Strausser.
The move from collector to supervisor generally can be made in two to three years.
For this complete story, please visit Viable Career Options in Collection Agencies.
