If you are considering a career in service, a potential first step is to work as a customer service representative. You will be the main contact for the public and your main duty is to provide a good customer experience. How you interact with customers will depend on your employer and the industry you work in. But the goal remains the same – help the customer. To do this you will need to be an excellent communicator and have good interpersonal skills. Experience in this role will help you progress to more senior service positions in the future.
Customer service representatives work in many settings. It’s common to work in retail, an office or call centre. Increasingly, they are working remotely. Shifts are scheduled during the day, evening, and on weekends to meet customer demands. You will be assigned duties by a team leader or service manager.
With some experience as a customer service representative, you will have a lot of potential next career steps in service and otherwise. You can upgrade to roles as a customer service associate, specialist, team leader, service manager, or territory manager. You can also use your transferable skills to pursue a career in communications, sales, marketing, and other related industries.
Customer service representatives have an average hourly rate of over $19. This works out to just over $37,000 per year in a full-time role. Here is an overview of your earning potential based on your level of experience:
annual: $37,100
monthly: $3,092
weekly: $773
hourly: $19.32
lowest salary: $31,000 per year
average salary: $37,100 per year
highest salary: $43,900 per year
junior salary: $31,000-$37,500 per year
intermediate salary: $34,500-$40,700 per year
senior salary: $37,100-$43,900 per year
Even though your daily tasks will vary based on your employer, the main priority always remains the same. You need to create a good experience for your customers. Here are the top tasks that you will need to accomplish:
Customer service jobs are commonly found in retail and call centres. You can also find roles working as a customer service professional in many other industries and settings such as banks, insurance, finance, telecommunications, and service-based companies.
Being customer-focused is essential. Companies are looking for people who are good communicators and genuinely want to help people. Here are some of the technical and soft skills employers expect you to have:
To work as a customer service rep, you will need a high school diploma. Previous work experience is preferred. It is recommended for you to have a college degree to qualify for more senior jobs in the future. On-the-job training is typically provided.