5 skills you'll gain from customer service jobs

Whether you're looking to advance within your current field or transition to a new career, the skills you acquire working in customer service will serve you well throughout your professional life 

When applying for a job, it's crucial to highlight your relevant experience and skills to stand out from other candidates. Experience in customer service, from working in hospitality or retail, equips you with transferable skills that are valuable across many job roles. To impress potential employers, it's essential to provide specific examples of how you have developed your customer service skills in real-life situations. By doing so, you can demonstrate your capabilities and increase your chances of being selected for the job.

1. Teamwork

Collaboration is an essential skill that is required in all areas of work. In customer service, it enables you to work alongside your colleagues, share knowledge, escalate issues, and provide seamless customer support. Even if a job appears to be solo, all jobs require some degree of collaboration. For instance, writers or coders may work alone, but they must also be able to communicate effectively with editors, designers, or programmers to ensure that campaigns are successful.

When applying for a job, it is highly important to showcase your ability to work with others towards a common goal. One of the most effective ways to do this is by providing a concrete example of how you resolved a conflict in your previous customer service job. This example could include a disagreement with a colleague, or a situation where you had to collaborate with different departments to achieve a specific goal.

For example, you might say: 'While working at a mobile phone service provider, I encountered a customer whose phone wasn't functioning properly after a software update. The customer was upset because their warranty had expired, and they felt the update was responsible for the issue. I acknowledged the customer's frustration and worked with a technical support colleague to diagnose the issue. Together, we offered troubleshooting steps and explained alternative solutions By collaborating, we were able to calm the customer down, provide them with valuable information, and maintain a positive relationship.'

By offering a detailed account of how you effectively worked with the customer service team to manage a problem, you will be able to differentiate yourself from other applicants and position yourself as a valuable asset to potential employers.

2. Problem solving

As a customer service representative, it is your responsibility to identify and solve problems that customers face. You need to be able to quickly troubleshoot issues, determine their root causes, and come up with creative solutions that meet the customer's needs while also adhering to company policies. This requires critical thinking, attention to detail, and the ability to perform well under pressure. Problem-solving skills are crucial in any field, be it engineering or finance.

Consider an events manager. Their problem-solving skills are put to the test when unexpected venue closures arise. They need to think on their feet, researching alternative locations and implementing the most suitable solution. This might involve adjusting the event schedule to accommodate the new venue.

Similarly, software engineers rely on their problem-solving abilities to identify bugs within code. Their goal is to not just fix the immediate issue, but to implement the most effective solution that prevents similar problems from cropping up in the future.

To evidence this to an employer in an interview, you could use examples of a time you've identified the root cause of the problem, discovered a solution, and then monitored the issue until it is resolved. This could be a task as simple as correcting a mistake in a food order or processing a clothing return.

3. Communication

When working in the hospitality industry, you may encounter customers who are frustrated or upset. In such situations, it is important to demonstrate that you understand their concerns and ensure that they feel heard. By improving your communication skills while dealing with customers under pressure, you can find solutions that meet their needs and expectations.

This ability to communicate effectively and empathise with different perspectives is a transferable skill that can be useful in any profession. For example, in management positions, your communication encourages teamwork and motivates teams. Communication is a key element in establishing strong relationships in all aspects of your professional life.

On a CV, you can highlight how you used your active listening skills and clear, positive language to ensure customer satisfaction, or how you effectively conveyed your product knowledge to increase sales in retail roles. These examples highlight your ability to prioritise customer needs while achieving business objectives - a valuable skill set in any work environment.

4. Time management

The ability to manage your time effectively is critical in any service profession. From catering to guest requests on the fly to juggling multiple reservations, staying organised is essential for exceeding customer expectations.

Demonstrate this valuable skill in your job application by highlighting specific achievements. For instance, you could say: 'During my time at the call centre, I achieved exceptional customer satisfaction ratings by effectively managing multiple inquiries across phone, email, and chat channels simultaneously.'

Prioritisation is another crucial skill that falls under time management. Take an experienced server, for example. They understand that taking new orders takes priority over momentarily refilling water glasses. However, a skilled server can efficiently address both needs, ensuring a smooth dining experience.

When discussing this skill with employers, you could describe a time when a system failure disrupted your usual routine. Explaining how you adapted your approach by communicating with customers demonstrates your ability to adjust your time management strategies to manage customer expectations and handle their inquiries or frustrations.

5. Adaptability

If you've worked in the customer service industry, you'll know that adaptability is key. You must be able to adjust your schedule, think on your feet, and oversee unexpected situations with ease. This trait is highly valued in the workplace, as it demonstrates your potential as a professional who can navigate challenges and learn new skills quickly.

For example, an adaptable marketing manager can stay ahead of industry trends by learning new skills and being flexible with campaign approaches based on their campaign results. They might need to pivot from a planned email campaign to a last-minute social media post if a competitor launches a surprise product.

To strengthen your application, provide specific examples of your adaptability. Perhaps you've mastered a new software programme or guest reservation system, or you've successfully adapted to a new and demanding workplace environment. Highlighting these experiences will set you apart from other candidates and show your leadership potential.

To learn more about qualities you can add to your CV to stand out from the crowd, see what skills do employers want?

Find out more

• See our job application example questions and answers.
• Explore how to answer interview questions.