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My Career goal is to find a customer service job?
#job #career
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Desiree’s Answer
Customer Service is part of so many fields, I think it's terrific that you are opening yourself up to a career in various industry sectors!
Customer service really starts with customer interactions, so any job where you have to interact directly with customers will give you experience -- starting with traditional service and retail sectors. Think: restaurants, shops, grocery stores, etc. Of course, the variety of customer service evolves with the nature of the customers you serve -- customer service for say, computers/technology requires both technical background AND the personal skills for dealing with people; customer service for say, a posh hotel or private jet service will require a special touch with high-net-worth clientele, and likely a background in hospitality. Even legislators have "constituent relationship managers" - which is basically customer service for politicians! You can go so many directions with "customer service", it is exciting!
Developing interpersonal and conflict resolution skills, refining your ability to de-escalate tense situations, being an effective communicator and learning to troubleshoot issues within the industry you serve will all be great assets to you on your career path. Depending on the field and/or where you want to geographically, knowing another language may also be helpful. You might want to learn about "emotional intelligence" (also known as "emotional quotient" or EQ), as many customer interactions have significant emotional components. Good luck to you!
Research fields in which you might want to work as customer service and identify any key credentials/skills/degrees you might need for success.
Develop import skills/traits for customer service (e.g., interpersonal skills, conflict resolution skills, de-escalation techniques, effective communicatons, language skills, techincal expertise)
Read about and research "emotional intelligence" (also known as "emotional quotient" or EQ)
Consider interning, volunteering or getting a part time job that will allow you the opportunity to experience customers first hand. Keep a note of those experiences for your resume!
Customer service really starts with customer interactions, so any job where you have to interact directly with customers will give you experience -- starting with traditional service and retail sectors. Think: restaurants, shops, grocery stores, etc. Of course, the variety of customer service evolves with the nature of the customers you serve -- customer service for say, computers/technology requires both technical background AND the personal skills for dealing with people; customer service for say, a posh hotel or private jet service will require a special touch with high-net-worth clientele, and likely a background in hospitality. Even legislators have "constituent relationship managers" - which is basically customer service for politicians! You can go so many directions with "customer service", it is exciting!
Developing interpersonal and conflict resolution skills, refining your ability to de-escalate tense situations, being an effective communicator and learning to troubleshoot issues within the industry you serve will all be great assets to you on your career path. Depending on the field and/or where you want to geographically, knowing another language may also be helpful. You might want to learn about "emotional intelligence" (also known as "emotional quotient" or EQ), as many customer interactions have significant emotional components. Good luck to you!
Desiree recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Blake’s Answer
Hello,
Are you looking to understand the different types of job paths within the customer service industry, or how to find a job? If you're looking on how to find a job, I would highly recommend attending career fairs at your local colleges. If you can't do this, then I would recommend trying to find internships in the industry as an entrance into a job opportunity.
Blake
Are you looking to understand the different types of job paths within the customer service industry, or how to find a job? If you're looking on how to find a job, I would highly recommend attending career fairs at your local colleges. If you can't do this, then I would recommend trying to find internships in the industry as an entrance into a job opportunity.
Blake
Updated
Lucie’s Answer
Customer Service is such a key part of any business companies!
Career goals can move very often so I would just advise to keep an open mind and once you are settled in your Customer Service role, make sure to ask yourself a few questions frequently"
- Am I happy?
- Do I see myself doing this job for a long time?
- What other options are out there?
Sky is the limit!
Hope this helps,
Cheers
Career goals can move very often so I would just advise to keep an open mind and once you are settled in your Customer Service role, make sure to ask yourself a few questions frequently"
- Am I happy?
- Do I see myself doing this job for a long time?
- What other options are out there?
Sky is the limit!
Hope this helps,
Cheers
Updated
Jared’s Answer
This is great, Nazareth! As many have said, Customer Service is not only foundational to nearly every business, it's also an amazing gateway into other areas.
My first "white collar" job after working construction in college was a Customer Service role. It wasn't until many years later that I realized Customer Service was such a great fit for one of my passions in life: helping others. And really that's what great customer service is; listening, understanding, and helping others with their issues. Some of the most difficult customers just want to know that the person helping them really understands the issue and will do everything they can to get it resolved quickly and efficiently. This is so foundational to any service job, whether it's selling homes or helping people fix their computer problems. You're helping somebody to solve a problem. This way of thinking opened myriad opportunities for me in my adventure-filled career!
Communication, problem solving, active listening and basic human psychology are all helpful things to study or read about. I'd recommend reading "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie. Written in 1936, it's still relevant today and more about understanding people than it is about "winning friends". Highly recommended.
Best wishes to you on your journey, Nazareth!
Jared
My first "white collar" job after working construction in college was a Customer Service role. It wasn't until many years later that I realized Customer Service was such a great fit for one of my passions in life: helping others. And really that's what great customer service is; listening, understanding, and helping others with their issues. Some of the most difficult customers just want to know that the person helping them really understands the issue and will do everything they can to get it resolved quickly and efficiently. This is so foundational to any service job, whether it's selling homes or helping people fix their computer problems. You're helping somebody to solve a problem. This way of thinking opened myriad opportunities for me in my adventure-filled career!
Communication, problem solving, active listening and basic human psychology are all helpful things to study or read about. I'd recommend reading "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie. Written in 1936, it's still relevant today and more about understanding people than it is about "winning friends". Highly recommended.
Best wishes to you on your journey, Nazareth!
Jared