You’ll find customer service jobs and careers in every sector of commercial, public or not-for profit organisations. If you’re a customer service professional, you’re really spoilt for choice!
Thinking about working in customer service?
The answers to these questions may help you.
What are customer service jobs?
These are many and varied – you’ll find them in most organisations. And they’re not restricted to jobs that have the words ’customer service’ in the job title. If you’re a receptionist or a travel agent, your job is very much about customer service.
What skills do I need to work in customer service?
That depends on how complex your job is. But if you’re good with people, can communicate with them in different ways according to their needs, are able to work consistently and reliably to meet their expectations and help to resolve any problems they may have, the chances are a career in customer services will be right up your street. You also need to know your organisation’s products and services inside out, as well as the systems it uses to deliver them to customers. Above all, you need to be someone who gets real satisfaction from a job well done and seeing a customer well satisfied!
What type of training is available to me?
There’s plenty to choose from. To help you narrow your focus a bit, it might be a good idea to consider:
- contacting your local college of further education
- visiting your local Learning Shop
- contacting your local Chamber of Commerce
- viewing the Learn Direct website
Many organisations provide their own specialist in-house customer service training programmes, so it’s worth asking your organisation’s HR or training department for help.
How do I find out about customer service jobs in my area?
- On the internet, visit ICS JobsBoard
- Scan your local paper
- Visit your local jobcentre
- Contact local recruitment agencies
- Write to local employers – larger employers in particular may well be looking for customer service staff
- Contact your local Learning and Skills Council
- Visit your local branch of Connexions (formerly the Careers Service)
- Make use of your local library’s reference and IT resources
- Surf the internet – online recruitment agency sites will have generic information about jobs/careers in customer service
What should I think about when considering the type of customer service job I want?
- Do I want to have face-to-face contact with customers (retail, banks, hotels, for example)?
- Would I rather work in an office and have most of my contact with customers over the phone (call centres in insurance companies, for example)?
- Have I considered working in the public sector (local authorities, NHS)?
What national qualifications are available?
As an occupational area, customer service is fairly new. At the moment, the main national qualifications include Modern Apprenticeships (if you’re under 25, you might be able to get financial help with this) and National/Scottish Vocational Qualifications (NVQ/SVQs) in customer service at levels 2, 3 and 4.