Learn how Michael Z. went from bilingual customer support rep to the bilingual leadership team as he shares his top reasons to consider a bilingual career at Verizon.
Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, Michael Z. grew up speaking both English and Spanish at home. His parents always taught him to look forward to a better future and that advice has resonated in his personal and professional life.
Beginning his Verizon career journey as a bilingual customer support rep in 2009, Michael joined the V Team during his college years. Thanks to mentorship from his leaders, he progressed into the bilingual leadership team by 2012.
Eleven years later, Michael reflects on his career path and the importance of being able to connect with this segment of our population that is quickly growing. Today, Hispanic buying power represents 1.72 trillion USD, according to the Latino Donor Collective (LDC). In fact, if they were its own country, Hispanics would have the eighth largest economy in the world.
Read our Q&A with Michael to learn more about his career journey on our bilingual team and the importance of being able to connect with the Spanish-speaking segment of our population in the language that feels most comfortable to them.
Verizon Careers: Why did you choose to join Verizon?
Michael Z: In 2009, I was looking for a job and found a career. There are several reasons that attracted me to Verizon, not just because I speak Spanish and have the benefit of receiving more income, because I am bilingual. Verizon values its employees, and shows it in its benefits, diversity, culture, and there are always opportunities for growth. That is why I am proud to be a part of the Verizon family.
VC: What's a day in the life of Michael Z?
MZ: A typical day starts with taking calls from our customers in both English and Spanish. We use troubleshooting tools and problem-solving skills to find solutions that will improve their experience. Overall, our representatives focus on building strong customer relationships by earning their loyalty and trust.
VC: What do you like most about your bilingual job?
MZ: Being bilingual has given me the opportunity to excel at a leadership level. Having this extra skill has allowed my team to support various work locations. In the past year, I have had the opportunity to support four different directors across various channels of our business.
VC: How has being bilingual helped you in your role?
MZ: Being bilingual has opened doors for me to do various jobs at Verizon. For example, I have worked with the training team, training new employees, I have been part of the bilingual technical team, and I have provided customer service support in Spanish and English as well as in our department of support coordinators.
VC: Can you take us through your career journey at Verizon?
MZ: When I was hired, it was perfect for me because I was in college and I was very excited to work for a Fortune 500 company. Years later — through mentorship and working with great leaders — I have been able to support a wide range of departments, many of which have bilingual needs. I am now a part of the bilingual leadership team.
VC: What do you like to do in your free time?
MZ: I have six dogs and enjoy spending time with my family. I also enjoy cooking, volunteering at the humane society, and gardening. Keeping a consistent work-life balance has allowed me to do all of the things I like in my free time.
VC: Can you describe your best day in the role?
MZ: One of my best days is when I can see my team of supervisors implementing the best practices that I have shown them. When I see the success of our culture and the great atmosphere among my teams, in their chats, I know that we are going to have the best possible results because we are one team, united with the same goal in mind.
VC: What advice would you give to candidates looking to apply for a bilingual role at Verizon?
MZ: Get prepared, do your research, and be ready for your interview.
“When I was looking for a job, I was looking for a company that would value me as an employee. I love our credo since it emphasizes that we must treat each other with integrity and respect while staying focused on performance, excellence and accountability.”
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