10 Careers That Call for Customer Service Skills

Submitted by Meditec on Tue, 12/06/2016 - 15:33

At the heart of every successful business or organization are excellent customer relationships. Do you have what it takes to carve out a career in customer service? We’ve gathered 10 career options from the Occupational Outlook Handbook to help in deciding where your knack for helping others can take you next: Customer Service Representatives

What They Do: This job involves handling complaints, processing orders, and providing information about the products or services of a company or organization. Generally, customer service representatives use telephones, computers, and various office equipment to perform industry-specific duties.

Customer-Centric Skills and Qualities: Patience, communication skills, interpersonal skills, listening skills, and problem-solving skills.

Computer Support Specialists

What They Do: Computer support specialists assist clients and organizations that are using computer software or equipment. Common tasks include asking questions to identify and address the problem, setting up or repairing computer devices, and performing regular maintenance work to make sure that networks are running smoothly.

Customer-Centric Skills and Qualities: Listening skills, problem-solving skills, speaking skills, and writing skills.

Bill and Account Collectors

What They Do: They try to collect overdue payments and negotiate a solution. After tracking and informing debtors about the overdue bills, these collectors settle payment plans. They typically contact debtors by phone and use computer systems to record all collection attempts and contact information.

Customer-Centric Skills and Qualities: Listening skills, speaking skills, and negotiating skills.

Police, Fire, and Ambulance Dispatchers

What They Do: Public safety telecommunicators answer emergency, non-emergency, and even alarm system calls. They determine the appropriate response based on agency procedures and relay information to the corresponding first-responders. Staying calm is a must for dispatchers who are getting vital information from those who need help.

Customer-Centric Skills and Qualities: Empathy, multi-tasking, communication skills, listening skills, and decision-making skills.

Pharmacy Technicians

What They Do: They assist pharmacists in giving out prescription medication to customers and health professionals. Pharmacy technicians usually collect necessary information to fill out a prescription form, enter the customer or patient’s information into a computer system, and arrange consultation appointments if necessary.

Customer-Centric Skills and Qualities: Detail-oriented, listening skills, and organizational skills.

Receptionists

What They Do: Receptionists answer phones, receive visitors, give general information to the public or customers, and perform other administrative tasks. While specific responsibilities vary depending on the work environment, they are often responsible for making a positive first impression for the company or organization.

Customer-Centric Skills and Qualities: Integrity, communication skills, interpersonal skills, and organizational skills.

Social and Human Service Assistants

What They Do: They help clients in determining and obtaining benefits or services. Social and human service assistants provide support in various areas—including rehabilitation, psychology, and social work. They assist the homeless, elderly, children and families, people with disabilities, immigrants, people with addictions, veterans, people with mental illnesses, and former prison inmates.

Customer-Centric Skills and Qualities: Compassion, communication skills, interpersonal skills, time management skills, problem-solving skills, and organizational skills.

Public Relation Specialists

What They Do: Public relations specialists are responsible for creating and maintaining a good public image for their client or organization. They help clients to communicate with the public in an effective manner, maintain the corporate image or identity of an organization, and respond to various requests for information from the media.

Customer-Centric Skills and Qualities: Speaking skills, writing skills, interpersonal skills, organizational skills, and problem-solving skills.

Retail Sales Workers

What They Do: Retail sales workers assist customers in finding their desired products and process their payments. Salespersons generally recommend items based on what the customers want or need, answer related questions, explain the benefits, and inform about current promotions.

Customer-Centric Skills and Qualities: Persistence, patience, and interpersonal skills.

Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives

What They Do: They sell goods for manufacturers or wholesalers to government agencies, businesses, and various organizations. Day-to-day tasks include contacting customers, explaining product features, responding to queries, and negotiating prices. Staying on top of new products and understanding the needs of clients are vital for success in this field.