Customer Service Jobs

In 2008, about 2.3 million employees had customer service jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These jobs can also be called call center jobs or client support jobs. Job openings in this field are expected to grow at a higher rate than the average job, so it's a great time to consider becoming a customer service representative.

What is the customer service job?

Customer service jobs can be found in most any occupation you can think of. The top three industries are finance, insurance, and business support. Customer service representatives spend most of their time on the phone. They are the link between a customer and the company or organization. Customers call in to ask about their account, change an address, or check the status of an order. Sometimes the main job of the representative is to decide who in the company can best answer the customer's questions and connect the two to find a solution. Some jobs involve answering complaints, so the representative will follow company policies to resolve the problem.

What are the requirements for the job?

Most customer service jobs require a high school diploma or GED. Some require more skills, so employers are looking for people with Associates or Bachelor's degrees. After being hired, you will be trained on the company's equipment, policies and products.

You need good people skills and the ability to handle tense situations in a calm way. Ways to enhance these natural tendencies is usually part of your first training. Customer service representatives need a pleasing and clear speaking voice and the patience to stay courteous to any customer.

Customer service jobs also require basic computer skills. You will be trained on the specific computer system used by the company, but you should already know standard software, such as word processing, and have good typing skills.

What is the work environment?

A call center will be the location for most customer service jobs. Each rep works in a cubicle with a telephone headset and computer. Supervisors can usually listen to calls, or the calls may be taped to ensure that company standards are met.

Call centers can be noisy, crowded places, and the work can be tedious. Most companies record the amount of time on each call and the waiting time for customers to measure workers' efficiency. Long hours of computer work can cause stiff necks and repetitive injuries, so workers must be aware of these problems.

A customer service job can be a flexible one, as most centers are open long hours, including evenings and weekends. This schedule might be perfect for students or parents. Overtime is a good possibility, especially if the call center experiences increased loads at certain times of the year.

What are the job advancement and outlook possibilities?

Opportunities for advancement in a customer service job are strong. Some reps are promoted to supervisory positions or to other positions in the company.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that customer service jobs will grow in the coming decades. The chance for obtaining and keeping one of these jobs is good.