Customer Service Representatives

Also Called: Account Representative, Call Center Representative, Customer Service Agent, Customer Service Representative (Customer Service Rep)

What Customer Service Representatives do

Interact with customers to provide basic or scripted information in response to routine inquiries about products and services. May handle and resolve general complaints. Excludes individuals whose duties are primarily installation, sales, repair, and technical support.

  • Confer with customers by telephone or in person to provide information about products or services, take or enter orders, cancel accounts, or obtain details of complaints.
  • Check to ensure that appropriate changes were made to resolve customers' problems.
  • Keep records of customer interactions or transactions, recording details of inquiries, complaints, or comments, as well as actions taken.
Industry Areas:

Advanced Manufacturing Automotive & Machine Repair Finance and Business Health Care Hospitality Retail Sales and Services Transportation

Training Program Areas:

Auto Collision • Automobile Technician • Health Unit Coordinator • Hotel & Lodging • Insurance Claims Processor • Medical Administrative Assistant • Medical Office Support • OCT-Only Advanced Manufacturing • OCT-Only Automotive & Machine Repair • OCT-Only Finance & Business • OCT-Only Hospitality • OCT-Only Retail Sales & Service • OCT-Only Transportation • Office Administration • Retail Sales • Sign & Billboard • Transportation Office Support

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Work Context

  • Telephone
  • Contact With Others
  • Electronic Mail
  • Face-to-Face Discussions
  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

Tools

  • Standalone telephone caller identification
  • Autodialers
  • Automated attendant systems
  • Scanners
  • Automatic call distributor ACD

Technology

Customer relationship management CRM software
Blackbaud The Raiser's Edge
Salesforce software
Data base user interface and query software
Airtable
Yardi
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
Microsoft Dynamics GP
NetSuite ERP

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Service Orientation
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking

Knowledge

Business
customer service
administrative services
Arts and Humanities
English language
Engineering and Technology
computers and electronics

Education

  • 67% High school diploma or equivalent
  • 16% Bachelor's degree
  • 6% Some college, no degree

Experience

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

What are your training options on the pathway to this occupation?

Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

  • Conventional (Organizer)
  • Enterprising (Persuader)
  • Social (Helper)

Work Styles

  • Attention to Detail
  • Cooperation
  • Integrity
  • Dependability
  • Concern for Others
  • Self Control

Values

  • Relationships
  • Support
  • Independence

Abilities

  • Verbal
  • Ideas and Logic

This is what Customer Service Representatives across the country typically make.

$14.21 / hour
$29,560 /year

Entry Level

$19.08 / hour
$39,680 /year

Median Level

$29.45 / hour
$61,250 /year

Experienced Level

Income information reflects a regional average.
Income information reflects a national average.

This career’s National Job Outlook is

Bright

Please be sure to verify the outlook of this occupation with your instructor.

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