I have written and touched upon the topic of required traits for a person to be really successful in a position in the customer service position; things like a certain kind of server-attitude, and the ability to put others first over our own desires. If you are actively looking to get into a customer service related job, stop and ask yourself why. Why do you seek to enter into such a position?
Now, I know lots of people get into customer service with the mentality that it is a temporary stepping stone or an "out of necessity" scenario, just because it is what is available. So, some may just begrudgingly hold the position without any real love for the actual duty required. If this sounds like you, then you may want to really look and consider hard what it is you are doing. Taking the job just because it is a job is not going to translate into a love for the task that is required. This can ultimately lead to ill feelings towards work, grumpy attitudes, and ultimately, unsatisfied customers.
Depending on the type of position you acquire, are you prepared to be inundated with customer after customer requests? Will the position you apply for be feeding your mainly agitated customers or is it more of a helpful/service position? Do you have what it takes to deal with either situation? Do you have the patience and self-sacrificing attitude to put the needs and desires of others ahead of yourself and the ability to bite your tongue, no matter how mad someone makes you? These are some of the traits you must possess in order to excel in customer service. Anything less will do neither you - nor your company – any real good.
Taking a position like this, without the positive traits needed, will just produce sub-par service, which reflects badly on the company, but also on you, and could lead to your eventual termination, which is never a good thing.
On the other side, there are many people that have the "gift" and desire for this type of service and hopefully this is your position. I have a friend who loves cameras and photography - he has a passion for it. He also has a passion for sharing it with others. So, he went down to a local electronics store and got a job in the camera department. I have seen him in action, and the love of sharing and showing with customers is evident from his posture, attitude and actions.
As a musician myself, I spend time in local music instrument stores. When I do, most all of the service people in these stores are musicians themselves. Why? It is because they have a passion for something and they enjoy sharing and servicing others in that area.
All of this to say - look for and go after a position that you can be passionate about. To do less, will give you a job where you just go through the motions and watch the clock and count down the minutes till getting off.
Jeff McCormack resides in Virginia Beach, VA. where he works as a web designer by day. In his off time he is a husband, father, and musician. Aside from being a freelance writer for this Customer Service Jobs blog, he also seeks to assist in career choices and information by contributing to other Nexxt blog sites.
Why Customer Service?
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