THE cost of living crisis has sparked a customer service recruitment crisis, with almost 75,000 vacancies lying open across the UK.
As more of us turn to companies for help, firms are scrambling to take on extra staff to deal with customer enquiries.
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Jobs are available at all levels from part-time starter roles to customer service directors on six-figure salaries.
With increasing pay rates and many jobs offering flexible hours, customer service is becoming a more attractive career and offers opportunities for students, people displaced from other industries or those returning to the workforce.
As well as in-store roles, there are positions for online and phone workers with some firms evening promotion WFH jobs.
So if this sounds like it will service your needs, here’s how to get started with help from Sun Jobs.
1. What skills do I need?
Customer Service is the ultimate inter-personal job, so you have to have great people skills.
Many people contacting customer service might be stressed or upset, so the ability to stay calm under pressure and take criticism is essential too.
Problem solving and organisation are also useful to have, plus readiness to work well in a team.
Find out more at nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/customer-service-assistant.
2. Which qualifications do I need?
Most entry-level roles will request basic maths and English and offer on-the-job training.
You can take a free Level 2 customer service skills course at reed.co.uk/courses/customer-service-level-2/22979.
Hoping to go into management? Join the Institute of Customer Service to take the highest-level qualifications at instituteofcustomerservice.com/professional-development/professional-qualifications.
3. How do I get into the sector?
Test out if it’s for you with a part-time or fixed duration contract. Most companies offer flexible jobs to new starters.
4. What are my opportunities to progress?
Plenty. Customer service relies more on skills and aptitude than exams so if you have what it takes, you can move up the career ladder swiftly.
The normal progression path includes leading a team, then a department, then potentially a whole customer service operation or the wider customer and marketing team.
5. How about pay and benefits?
Salaries can range from minimum wage for a contract job to around £25,000 for a full-time basic role.
Team leaders can expect £30k to £50k while a director of a large company may take home a six-figure pay packet.
Serve up a new role from one of our top Sun Jobs picks this week.
Customer Service Advisor, Ascendant Recruitment, Northampton
The Role: Ascendant Recruitment is seeking an experienced Customer Service Advisor who loves to help people.
What You’ll Do: You will call new customers to arrange their first delivery, and talk to the new customers about arranging training visits. You’ll also update the warehouse system.
What You’ll Need: You’ll need previous experience with a CRM system, good customer focus skills, good communication skills and good attention to detail.
Apply Now: View more detail about this role here.
Customer Service Representative, Metro Bank PLC, Manchester
The Role: As a Customer Service Representative, you will work as a part of a vibrant and diverse team that is passionate about delivering unparalleled customer service each and every day.
What You’ll Do: You will be greeting and welcoming customers, identifying and addressing customers’ needs and advising them on Metro Bank’s products and services accordingly, as well as opening and managing personal and business accounts, and supporting customers with daily banking.
What You’ll Need: A minimum of a grade C or 4 in Maths and English GCSE, plus excellent attention to detail is key as the role involves processing lots of customer information and this must be done accurately.
Apply Now: See the full job description here.
Customer Service Executive, TribePost, London
The Role: In this exciting Customer Service Executive role, you will be the first point of contact for guests contacting Wimbledon.
What You’ll Do: You will be supporting the Guest Services Team and managing a range of queries guests may have, using your genuine passion for providing high-quality service in a helpful and unflappable nature.
What You’ll Need: A passion for events and sports, previous experience in a customer service role (desirable, not mandatory) as well as excellent listening skills, natural empathy and patience, and top-notch troubleshooting and problem-solving skills are required.Apply Now: Find out more about this opening here
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