data collector

senior research associate

telephone interviewer

research associate

customer service representative

NORC at the University of Chicago

Basically a mixture of cold calling people and inbounds to get them to complete various surveys for government agencies. The project I was assigned was the NIS. You start off doing a weekend of hardcore training which really sets the tone for everything they want you to do followed by more specific project training that gets into the specifics of your assigned project. 

They put you out on the floor after that weekend and weeklong training at which point you feel like you are armed to deal with every situation. A month later they will review your last month with you to discuss any difficulties or questions....Until they have to write you up for something or you have a performance review, that's about the gist of interaction you'll have with management until your performance reviews.

The work schedule predicated on having to be there for a 3 - 8pm shift 5 days a week between sunday and friday - 28 hours max. The flexibility of picking up or dropping a shift to move your days around is really helpful for those with family at home or prior commitments to handle. Every call is something and someone different, albeit even entertaining at times. 

The actual work itself is extremely difficult to handle if you're not comfortable handling rejection. People are very skeptical of giving out information over the phone even though you are trained on how to explain why it is necessary. 

The experience model basically is that the better you get at your completion rates for surveys, you will eventually become assigned as a refusal converter - you get either the best leads of people who have already started an interview then refused to finish for whatever reason, or the worst of the worst most rude individuals who will become angry, profane, or short for whatever reason. There really aren't too many positive individuals working there probably for that reason - everyone gets burnt out really quickly. 

Most managers are extremely understanding since they did their time in the cold calling field that you are in, but unless you win the lottery of an application process to eventually becoming one of 20 managers in a call center of 200~, you will likely be stuck cold calling for the whole time you work there.

Decent pay if you're looking to make extra money on the side if you can put up with some things. 

The interview process was almost too easy; relevant skills weren’t necessary, as long as you had a pulse and enough customer service “skills” (sense) to hold a mostly professional, short conversation, then you were often hired on the spot or soon after. The work was pretty easy (reading prompts from a computer screen to pre-dialed phone numbers) it was only so, as long as you were already familiar with, and comfortable using a computer and various types of programs and current technology (which was not advertised as much as it should have been, which was made very obvious during the group training). While it was easier than average to get hired, during training many people would drop out- the trainers made it abundantly clear that there was no room for anyone who struggled with current technology, as the entire job consisted of multitasking; ie: looking up information and/or answers to questions, providing information about the company, survey, etc. while continuing to move through the main computer program prompts (sometimes more than one) while maintaining a pleasant, steady phone conversation with a stranger- with whom you could not place on hold. I worked days, and even some weeks without any interaction with a supervisor. All work calls were recorded, and some got reviewed by an actual person; however the only way we would receive any feedback, criticism, or praise was through an email- even write-ups came via email! It was basically near impossible to physically find, or speak to anyone higher than a shift supervisor- and if you did, it would be over the phone, briefly, and never during your shift. I felt like each person was isolated in their own little cubicle, unable to speak to anyone around them, and often times floundering without help or direction. There was STRICT monitoring software set up, so that if you took even one minute after a call to compose yourself (and you didn’t clock out) you would be reprimanded (via an email). I found the complete lack of person to person communication to be belittling, alienating, and isolating. Employees were expected to act like easily controllable robots, that never deviated from the script. 

The promises in the ads NORC puts out sure knows how to reel you in. The big problem though is that this company falls very short on the delivery. I wouldn't take their ad for face value, if you know what I mean.
Don't expect much in the salary department. Their "competitive pay" is merely fancy wording for minimum wage. The environment is very controlled indeed, they put all of their energy in the wrong place. It seems as if management goes out of their way to see if you're committing any office crime, such as forgetting to punch time, barely overshooting on breaks or working a little too loudly(whatever that means.)
Speaking of management, they are a most conflicting bunch. It seems as though the different levels of management don't communicate with each other as well as they probably should. They do not make their guidelines for call production crystal clear. In fact, it sometimes seems as if their guidelines change on any given day. As a clerk, that makes it pretty difficult to know how to do your job, know when you're on top and when you're falling flat. They do offer the chance to have a 1-on-1 sit down to go over your stats. Unfortunately that turns out to be quite unproductive, as the person you meet with usually has no idea about the role of a production clerk, meaning they can't offer much in the way of advice or answer most questions you might have.
As for the actual work itself, in my opinion things can get a little tedious. There is little variety in regard to the kinds of tasks you perform; you're either on the phone, on the computer, or both. On the off-chance that there is another type of task available, you can pretty much forget about being considered for it if they already have you working the phones. Plus, I really didn't see many chances for true advancement during my time there. They only seemed to offer a handful of temporary projects, and once completed, it's right back to square one.
On the upside, alot of the other employees there are pretty pleasant, scheduling is quite flexible, and NORC really does have a great, easily accessible location. Just wanted to say that this was not intended as a bashing rant, so I hope it wasn't taken as such. I just wanted to try to paint a very honest picture about what kind of company this is so people would really know what they were walking into if considering employment here.

I have written quite a few reviews, mostly as a shopper.  I use reviews to make many decisions and today, after working on administrative tasks, and getting excellent tech help, I realized I wanted to write a review and express my very positive experience of NORC of Chicago as my employer.

Currently, I am working in a survey that will extend for perhaps 6 to 7 months.  I have worked in government, non-profit and business settings in survey work and, in two cases, in survey and team management. This is without a doubt the best employer I have worked with in the 55 years I have been in the work force.  

NORC provides what I find to be the safest, kindness, most proactive and positive, effective management climate I have encountered.  Staff and management are real, kind, knowledgeable, helpful and available. Their technology is highly effective and tech and survey assistance is readily available from effective and personable staff.   

Salary for this survey is determined by federal rules and regulations which NORC is obligated to follow.  I have a base salary of $13.75 per hour and they are allowed an additional $4.41 (or so) for health and welfare.  How NORC handles it is to place that money in a retirement fund.  For me that is super and a great idea.   I am thrilled to have this savings/retirement account in place.  I would definitely spend it if came to me.  Great idea!

You will be given clear info on your terms and conditions of employment and, based on my experience, have all the support needed to excel and enjoy your work.   I work in the field interviewing and inspiring potential survey participants, and find it easy to support this very quality organization which has such high humanitarian goals, and excellence in technology and survey development and implementation.  

When I first read the scripts of some surveys, I found clear, comprehensible language.  I was impressed.  The simplicity and clarity is in line with clear and responsible management practices.   Their data is exceptional data, managed with the highest of integriity.  For me the work culture has been a breath of fresh air, a source of safety and a baseline to encourage the best in me on their behalf.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Because there are so many different projects, you do get to learn a lot of different skills and interact with people creating state and federal policy.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Because there are so many projects, you are often working well over 8 hrs per day, especially in senior and director level roles. The workload is crazy!  Folks try to play it off when you first join as something that’s not common, but the more you talk to people who aren’t in positions where they have to sell you the job, you see that it’s not just you and everyone is constantly working. I also don’t think that they train folks for project leadership or get people who have those skills. I’ve been on multiple projects where roles/responsibilities are not clear, people get upset with you if you set boundaries (and even complain to your supervisor), and project leaders give conflicting directions and information and get caught up in their own conflicts and internal political disputes. They’ll even kick you off projects with no explanation, seemingly, to favor other employees. As a junior researcher, I found the work environment to be very toxic, and my peers felt the same way. I’ve seen peers with outstanding skills get passed up for raises and promotions while being worked to the bone. On top of that, the pay is less than adequate. They allow you to repeal your salary adjustments, but then practically punished a whole group of juniors for appealing when the pay adjustments didn’t even account for inflation or cost of living. It’s not bad for just juniors either. I’ve seen senior people get fed up and move on.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Harsh. Needs improvement. Senior level staff have been trying to say something about it for years. Most of the people are nice, but trying to get the actual work done can get stressful way too quickly. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Logging on early and logging off later than I preferred.

I worked as a Field Interviewer from my home. I conducted interviews by phone and in person for the social science industry. A typical day would be to do cold calls on the phone and in the field, make appointments, do interviews, and follow up work. I was responsible for submitting electronic reports on a daily basis and transmitting information.
Management was the most difficult part of the job. Everything depended on the manager/supervisor you got. Some were just wonderful and worth their weight in gold, others were insecure, inept, difficult, and destructive to your job, life, and career.  Serious micromanaging, and the managers had all the power. Very controlling environment though remote, and must ask permission for every little decision. The supervisors are 9 women to every 1 man. Men and women supervisors operate and value things differently.  Men were open minded and laid back. We were not given freedom to make positive decisions outside the box for the most part. We must adhere to a rigid protocol, even if you wish to extend money saving or creative ideas.  A personality conflict or misunderstanding with the manager can get you fired. They will not  talk to you, give you a chance to reveal what happened, or fairly weigh the issue. You're just gone. There are favorites.

The best part is meeting all the people, being at the grassroots level for collecting the information on many meaningful different projects, and the possibility to travel if you prove yourself.  I loved my job and I loved the travel. I was very successful, mostly in the top  10%, and some managers rewarded me and acknowledged my production.  You must enjoy working on your own, and you need to have personal motivation. There is no one that will push you, except yourself.  You need persistence and resilience when respondents refuse to do the interview. As far as working in central office, that is a different animal.

I love my job but this company is HORRIBLE. They condone workplace harassment and do nothing to rid the place of it. Stuff gets stolen left and right- food, cell phones, personal belongings. Most of the supervisors don't know nothing and buttkiss and blame the ti's always!! They DONT COMMUNICATE AT ALL and everyday there's a problem with something because the lack of communication!! Raises are hilarious and they only promote those who they can take advantage of or if they like you and dont speak up against wrong doings. They outkast you if you have a brain and know your rights. They love to fire pregnant women and threaten your job even if you have written notice from a doctor. The morality and ethical treatment is hilarious and because they have NONE!!!!!! And I'm pretty sure if the contractors that hire them knew how they treat their employees they would DEFINITELY FIND SOMEONE ELSE!!!!!!! The job itself awesome!! Sit down and talk and the phone all day! Easy! I've made a few good friend in thankful for (only reason they got the 3 stars) But this company DEFINITELY NEEDS to reevaluate the way they treat you!!!!!!!! Ex. They recently promoted a perverted man who makes A LOT of women uncomfortable and NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE!!!!!!!! Even with NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS!!!!! And supervisors telling this man to stop...... Lawsuit waiting to happen..... And since they are relocating now they are downsizing yet still hiring!!?????? See???? No one knows nothing and they're not letting anyone know what's going on.... No consideration at all for the employees. People have kids, bills.

I worked as a field interviewer. My main duties included planning and making trips into the field and/or telephoning respondents from my home office. Initial contact with respondents was with a cold visit or cold phone call; then explaining the study, persuading respondents to participate, and conducting the interview according to protocol. Also had to follow up (either in person or by phone) with respondents who had made appointments to be interviewed, or prompt and persuade resistant respondents to participate.

My direct supervisor (field manager) was very easy to work with and very helpful and supportive.

Being a field interviewer in not difficult, but one must be very organized and a self-starter, since you are working independently out of your home office. You also must not be shy about making a cold call or visit; and must be articulate enough to explain the study and why a respondent should participate in it.

For me, the least enjoyable part of the job--which I didn't have to do too often--was doing occasional in-person visits with another field interviewer. I'd rather work independently than to have to put up with another field interviewer's quirks.

Most enjoyable aspects: working out of my home independently, being able to by and large set my own schedule, doing a variety of tasks, and doing in-person interviewing in different areas of the region where I live.

For me this place thee pits!! I took it as a means to generate some income after being unemployed for some time but after being there for a short time I knew my time there was coming to an end. I worked as a professional telephone interviewer for minimum wage, most people you call don't want to be bothered and others can be nasty and mean. There are production goals so you have to do somewhat well and also reading verbatim is crucial. Attendance is what can get you axed but they have a system where you create your schedule and trade hours, so it is possible to pick up more hours. Some people from management are nice, but the rest seem to be angry about life! Team leads walk the call center floor to watch you which made me feel uncomfortable - you can't read anything besides your own notes and no phones are allowed on the floor-of course people do. You get 6 minutes for every hour worked and there is 4 hour shift requirement. Minimum of 16 hours for each work week is required. Not much time to do anything considering it is on the 14th and 16th floor, and it takes like 3 minutes to get to the lower level in the elevator to get food/drink.

Bottom line, if you are a student and need a flexible work schedule, then this is it. If you are looking for second job, this could work.

There are other opportunities for you to do other things within the company, most still require for you to be on the phone.

Great: flexibility, work from home

Not So Great:. It will take you FOREVER to move out of a Field Interviewer position.  I work doing a "survey" which they call "Contact Tracing".  It is all about, and only about, the numbers......the data.  They brainwash you into thinking you are making a difference/you are saving lives.  When all they care about is collecting the data.  I work with some very non-intelligent people, for which I have shift supervisors treating me as such.  They may treat you with a $50 grub hub gift card, but really I am only a data collector to them, and indespensible.  I have had great reviews, although I don't know how.  There is one shift supervisor/GF who obviously harbors some attitude towards me.  If you try to show you have some skill or smarts........smarter than a shift supervisor......they are threatened.  I took this job thinking I was making a difference, but they remind me daily that I am not.  Go contact tracing on a local level if what you want to do is make a true difference.  Also, they harrass people by allowing FI's to call endlessly one call after another.  No wonder why people get upset.  No kidding......I counted 15 calls within one hour.  They forget the people we are calling are doing NORC a favor.

Also, they berate you for picking up too many shifts.  Then, come the middle to end of the week, they are scrambling to get people to fill the time slots.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Data collector 86 salaries reported	$22.80 per hour
Senior research associate 6 salaries reported	$71,487 per year
Telephone interviewer 12 salaries reported	$17.18 per hour
Research associate 5 salaries reported	$57,900 per year
Customer service representative 8 salaries reported	$19.88 per hour

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