How to Get the Most out of Your Customer Service Job

The UK's service sector is expected to grow. So there's a good chance that, as a student, you'll work in this industry at some point in your career. Although many individuals find fulfilling careers in the customer service sector, there are a handful of people who don't like it. And it is understandable, the idea of confronting angry customers every other day is not appealing. But despite this fact, the customer service sector provides you with an excellent opportunity to grow both as a person and as a professional. And to help support this argument, this post shares how you can get the most of your customer service job.

Quick Tip: Choose the right customer service job.

When you're first getting started in the working world, there is no shame in taking whatever work comes your way. However, the sooner you can work towards a career where you're doing something that you love, the better off you'll be. To give you an example, let's you say you want to review consumer technology. You can achieve this by holding a job at an electrical retail store. This way you can become aware of the latest consumer trends. And you can share your observations on a blog too.

Improve Your Problem Solving Skills

If you've ever worked a customer service job in retail, you'll learn how to identify a customer who is after an item (e.g. a television) but is undecided on which particular model to buy. It is a typical scenario that occurs in a retail environment. To overcome this scenario, you need to find out why they want the item and what they will be using it for. To go back to the television example, the customer wants to buy a TV to replace his old one that broke. He only watches TV for the odd football match and television serials. From this information, you know the customer does not want a high-end spec, so you show him the range of TVs that you have which are affordable and meet his requirements. The above scenario and example involved using problem solving skills. And it is not just sales, you will also use your problem solving skills when it comes to confronting difficult customers as well.

Get Used to Working Under Pressure

The peak period (i.e. Christmas/New Year) in the retail sector is the most busiest times of the year. There is a high footfall of customers coming into a stores and there is limited stock. And to help boost revenue, stores will put massively discounted sales (like Black Friday). This creates an environment of chaos. You'll confront many customers. Some will be overwhelmed and undecided. Others will be agitated about their item being out of stock and will come and have a moan at you. Even writing this makes me feel the pressure. But working in this environment helps you to manage the pressure and eventually be able to remain calm and maintain a professional manner. Coping under pressure is a very important life skill. And it will come in use in both your personal and professional life.

Improve Your Teamwork Skills

At times, the store manager isn't around and there is no defined leader. Just you and your co-workers. You could end up in a scenario where you're short staffed and struggling with the high footfall of customers coming into the store. This is where you have to pull yourself and your co-workers together to start working as a team. Amongst your colleagues, you have decide on a strategy to manage the situation as effectively as possible.

Obtain New Levels of Patience

The customer is not always right. Try telling them, or your managers that and you're going to have a bad time. Instead, you have to operate under the idea that they are. Customers will come in and yell at you, scream at you, and in some cases threaten you. Some employees take an "I won't put up with that" attitude but this is bad practice. Learn how to remain calm in the face of extreme behaviour. As a result, you'll be more suited to lead in the future.

Quick Tip: Use Connections and Never Burn Bridges

We know you don't plan on working in customer service forever. If you're still a student, you're bosses would be expecting you to leave in the near future. But despite that, your colleagues in customer service can still help you get a job elsewhere. And the best way to get your colleagues or manager to help achieve your goals is to network. It's that simple. Your bosses may know someone at another local store who may be looking to fill a position that's more suited to you. Don't be afraid to tell your boss that you're interested. Most of your bosses and co-workers will have no problem recommending you to someone else if you're a good worker. The people you work for now will play a big role in helping you land your next job. So when you do leave, do so on good terms.

Remember: You're Building Yourself Up

The next time that you feel like you can't wait to get out of your customer service job, remind yourself of the skills you're learning, the network your building, and how you're positioning yourself for a career that you'll love. What's the most useful thing you learned working in a customer service job? Tell us in the comments below.