With many of you starting new, summer jobs I thought I would give a few of my most used tips for providing the best customer service (which can be hard). Being someone who has worked in customer service based jobs for the past three years, I have learned a thing or two on how to succeed in providing the best possible customer service.

1. Always work with a smile

This may sound easy but it can be very hard at times. No matter how tired you are after working long days, you must always keep a smile on your face. Along with a smile you need to maintain a positive attitude. While working to give the best customer service, you need to give off a good first impression. You need to be approachable and kind. Working with a smile and positive attitude is the first step to giving a customer an experience they won’t forget.

2. Address problems

If you come in contact with a conflict, you need to address it. Instead of brushing it aside or not giving it much attention, you need to bring forth the issue. The overall goal of customer service is to please the customer and make sure that they continue to come back to your place of work. Customers who get their problems solved are customers who return. Even if it is a minor problem, addressing it and trying to find a way to solve the problem will create a lasting impression on yourself and your business.

3. Think of an efficient solution

After you have addressed the problem you must come up with a solution. No matter how big the problem is, a solution must arise. If the conflict is small, it could mean a simple fix but if the problem is larger, it might take time and many people to figure out an efficient solution. Finding a solution to even the biggest problems will ensure a great customer service experience.

4. Stay calm in stressful situations

Working in customer service, stressful times are inevitable. With customer service being your number one priority it can be difficult to not get stressed out when customers are having to wait or are becoming unhappy. The way that I stay calm and diligent in high stress situations is to tell myself that whatever I am doing needs to be done and it will get done so there is no need to stress. Customer service is your number one priority but at the end of the day, external factors that aren’t creating the perfect environment are out of your control.

5. Remain confident

If you remain confident throughout your work, no one will doubt you, including yourself. You might find times where you aren’t sure what to do and you don’t know how to complete a task that is given to you but if you remain confident you won’t doubt yourself. Practicing positive self-talk even in your workplace will result in a positive outcome. Remaining confident will help you practice providing the perfect customer service to your customers.