The cons of working in customer service are talked about so often that there are even memes that fit the theme. People in customer service sometimes believe that they have the worst possible job because of the motto “The customer is always right,” when sometimes they are not right at all.
Customer service encompasses a larger list of jobs than some may think. Some positions that are under the umbrella of customer service include cashiers, receptionists, managers, anyone that works in retail, and some other careers. This is because customer service entails coming in contact with customers or potential customers, giving advice on a service or product, possibly resolving issues, ensuring they leave satisfied with their purchase and so on. This may sound simple, but if you’ve worked in customer service you’ll know it can be anything but simple.
This depends on the type of person you are and your attitude toward life. If you’re one of those people that starts as a cashier and sees their job as just a job, then you may hate working in customer service. But if you look at this job as an opportunity to get some experience, you’ll try to learn from everything, even the pain-in-the-neck customers.
My first paid position was as a cashier and for some reason, I started out loving my job. I consider myself a friendly person, and I always have a smile on my face. Because of this, being a cashier felt too easy and then I started to hate it. I started hating my job because it felt like there was no spontaneity and like everything was rehearsed (which it was, of course). The thing with me, though, is that when I start to dislike something, I make it a goal to find the silver lining (even in the rude-customer scenarios). From my time working in customer service, these are some pros that I have realized:
1. Customer service helps hone your people skills.
This depends on the setting of your job, but in most cases, daily interactions with different types of people teach you how people behave in certain situations. This can help you later in life. Knowing how people work and what they expect is one of the most helpful things you can learn.
2. You learn things you didn’t expect to.
If you’re the type of person that starts a conversation at the register instead of just standing there in silence, you’ll learn so much about people. There’s absolutely no need to get personal. Just keep your conversation topical, and you’ll be amazed at what some people tell you. Trust me, I've heard some funny stuff.
3. People aren’t as bad as we think.
When you work in NYC with so much diversity, it’s great to see perfect strangers looking out for each other. I’ve seen people go around sharing their coupons with people they don’t even know. This sounds unoriginal and simple, but some people take coupons very seriously. I mean, it is money after all.
4. You can get unexpected opportunities.
Some customers are so pleasant and just want to talk your ear off. In these instances, don’t be rude; just politely let them know that you have a job and other customers to cater to. However, if it’s one of those slow days at work and you happen to have some time, go ahead and humor them. I once talked an elderly lady through editing her son’s old baby photo, and without me realizing it, she found out my major and suggested places to intern. Being pleasant to those customers who approach you with a smile doesn’t always hurt.
5. You’re making connections.
You shouldn’t get a job just to make connections, because that can lead to bad scenarios. You may wind up hating your job and not wanting to remember the people you worked with. If you see each job as a chance to learn and better yourself however, you’ll make connections while you’re doing that. Just be yourself and be pleasant. If those two things are mutually exclusive, then just be pleasant.
6. At the end of the day, every job is what you make of it.
If you tell yourself you’re going to hate your job, odds are you might. Start off with a positive attitude, and if it’s not for you, then move on.
These pros have helped me survive customer service, and they continue to help me in life today. With anything, not just a job, it’s your attitude that counts. So leave the bad attitude at home and put on a smile (otherwise it’ll be a very long shift).
