Customer Service Representative
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Salary Range: $30,000 to $39,999
Average Hourly: $ 17.23
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
Number of Jobs: 2923400
Jobs Added to 2029: -34500
Growth: Little or no change
Go here to see salary and job data specific to the United Kingdom.
What Customer Service Representatives Do
Duties
Customer service representatives typically do the following:
- Listen to customers’ questions and concerns and provide answers or responses
- Provide information about products and services
- Take orders, calculate charges, and process billing or payments
- Review customer accounts and make changes, if necessary
- Handle returns or complaints
- Record details of customer contacts and actions taken
- Refer customers to supervisors or more experienced employees
Customer service representatives answer questions or requests from customers or the public. They typically provide services by phone, but some also interact with customers face to face, by email or text, via live chat, and through social media.
The specific duties of customer service representatives vary by industry. For example, representatives who work in banks may answer customers’ questions about their accounts. Representatives who work for utility and telecommunications companies may help customers with service problems, such as outages. Those who work in retail stores often handle returns, process refunds, and help customers locate items. Although selling a product or service is not their main job, representatives may help generate sales while providing information.
Customer service representatives typically use a telephone, computer, and other office equipment. For example, representatives who work in call centers answer the phone and use computers to explore solutions for customers.
Work Environment
Customer service representatives are employed in nearly every industry. Most work full time.
Work Environment Details
| Retail trade | 14% |
| Insurance carriers and related activities | 13 |
| Business support services | 10 |
| Wholesale trade | 7 |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 6 |
Customer service representatives are employed in nearly every industry. Representatives in offices may work in a large room alongside other employees, so the area can be noisy. Working from home is also possible in some companies. Representatives may be under pressure to answer a designated number of calls while supervisors monitor them for quality assurance. In addition, the work may be stressful when representatives must interact with dissatisfied customers
In retail stores, representatives may spend hours on their feet assisting customers in person.
Work Schedules
Although most customer service representatives work full time, some work part time. Customer service representatives often need to work during busy times, which may include evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Jobs in call centers may require representatives to work shifts early in the morning or late at night because some call centers are open 24 hours a day.
Job Outlook
Employment of customer service representatives is projected to show little or no change from 2020 to 2030.
Despite limited employment growth, about 361,700 openings for customer service representatives are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
How to Become a Customer Service Representative
Education
Customer service representatives typically need a high school diploma or equivalent.
Training
Customer service representatives usually receive short-term on-the-job training, which typically lasts 2 to 4 weeks. Those who work in finance and insurance may need several months of training to learn complicated financial regulations.
General customer-service training may focus on procedures for answering questions, information about a company’s products and services, and computer and telephone use. Trainees often receive guidance from an experienced worker for the first few weeks of employment.
In certain industries, such as finance and insurance, customer service representatives must stay current with changing regulations.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Customer service representatives who provide information about finance and insurance may need a state license. Although licensing requirements vary by state, they usually include passing an exam. Some employers and organizations provide training for these exams.
Advancement
With experience, customer service representatives may advance to supervisory roles.
Important Qualities
Communication skills. Customer service representatives must be able to provide clear information in writing, by phone, or in person.
Computer skills. Customer service representatives must be adept at using computers.
Customer-service skills. Representatives help companies retain customers by professionally answering questions and helping to resolve complaints.
Interpersonal skills. Representatives should be able to create positive interactions with customers.
Listening skills. Representatives must listen carefully to ensure that they understand customers in order to assist them.
Patience. Representatives should be patient and polite, especially when interacting with dissatisfied customers.
Problem-solving skills. Representatives must determine solutions to customers’ problems. By doing so, representatives contribute to customer loyalty and retention.