How to Be a Customer Service Agent

Co-authored by Kolby Goodman

Last Updated: March 26, 2023 Approved

Customer service agents talk to customers on behalf of companies and businesses. They often answer questions, resolve problems, process sales and provide information. Some customer service agents work in designated call centers, where they can field phone calls and respond to emails, and others work for specific companies such as banks, airlines and insurance agencies. Be a customer service agent by acquiring the necessary skills for the job and finding a position that is a good match for your talents and career goals.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Acquiring the Skills of a Customer Service Agent

1
Graduate from high school. Customer service agents are required to have a high school diploma or a GED.^{[1]
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2
Learn how to communicate effectively. Customer service agents are required to communicate regularly with the people a company does business with. You will need to speak clearly and professionally on the phone, in person and through email.^{[2]
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3
Gain experience with customers. While most customer service agents receive training on the job, knowing how to work with customers will help prepare you for work as a customer service agent.^{[3]
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US Bureau of Labor Statistics
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- Work in a retail position. This will help you learn how to meet the needs of customers, process sales and returns and deal with complaints and problems.
- Get a job in a service industry. Working as a waiter or a landscaper will be good practice in how to listen to customers and give them what they want.
4
Learn to feel comfortable with sales. Not all customer service agents are required to sell products and services, but it might be part of your job.^{[4]
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US Bureau of Labor Statistics
U.S. government agency that collects and reports labor-related information
Go to source}
- Talk to people and identify their needs. This will help you recommend specific products and services. Identifying needs and matching them to purchases will help you become a customer service agent.
5
Learn the components of conflict resolution. A customer service agent will need to be a problem solver. Know how to collect information and resolve the customer's problem while staying within a company's standards and procedures.^{[5]
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- Practice treating everyone with a friendly, calm and respectful demeanor. Part of your job will be to talk with people who are angry, irrational and rude. You will need to remain professional and diplomatic and know how to handle irate customers.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Getting a Job as a Customer Service Agent

1
Put together a resume that reflects your experience. It should include any positions you have had that required you to deal with customers, answer phones and answer questions.
- Show the potential employer how good of a communicator you are by providing examples or metrics of how you have helped bring money in for the company, saved the company time or money, or made a difference in sales figures directly. This will make you a much more attractive candidate who stands out against the rest.
2
Respond to job listings you find online and in your local newspaper. Sites that include companies hiring for customer service positions include CareerBuilder, Monster, SimplyHired and Indeed.
3
Sign up with a staffing agency. You can find temporary or permanent customer service jobs with staffing agencies. There might be smaller localized staffing agencies in your area as well.
4
Learn how to network. Get to know professional people by attending job fairs, training sessions and community events. You might meet people who know of job opportunities.^{[6]
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5
Work with placement or career offices at your school. If you are a recent high school graduate, you might be able to get some guidance when it comes to job hunting. Community colleges often place their students with companies who are hiring as well.
6
Look for a customer service position working from home. Many companies are reducing their overhead costs and allowing their customer service agents to do their jobs from home.
- Ensure you have the necessary equipment. You will need a computer with an Internet connection and a landline phone.
- Seek opportunities for virtual customer service jobs with companies such as hotel chains, home or online shopping networks, healthcare agencies and other corporations.
- Check general career search agents such as Monster.com and Indeed, and look for specialized sites that promote work at home positions and include customer service agent jobs.

Community Q&A

Question

How much is the salary of a customer care agent monthly?

deborah landreville

Community Answer

In the United States, the average in 2019 is $16.00 per hour plus commission. Not all jobs offer commission plus salary. Most companies offer a great amount of benefits though.