Some people have no idea what it’s like to work in customer service. Despite the constant availability of jobs in retail stores, restaurants, and other customer service based jobs, they just never found themselves having to deal with customers.
Nonetheless, customer service based occupations do have their pros—with a fair share of cons—that can mold you for the better, or maybe even the worst. Like anything else in life, it’s what you make of it. I have been working in customer service for seven years now, sometimes even two jobs at once. Needless to say, customer service is my forte, and I hope that my few insights help you gain a new perspective of what it entails.
One lesson I’ve obtained is PROPERNESS/ PROFESSIONALISM.
Customer service will often place you in a position of interaction with various groups of people, and this exposure to different cultures broadens your knowledge and enhances your interpersonal skills. You will develop a new way of conversing that reflects confidence and professionalism, as well as becoming accustomed to proper greetings and etiquette. My form of speaking has become so versatile with people. I will go through twelve different personalities while at work alone, because as you learn people, you learn how to approach and converse with them. You will learn people you can be cool with, casually cool with, and completely professional and nothing else at all with. This is a helpful tool for aspiring businessmen and entrepreneurs, by the way.
Another one is TIME MANAGEMENT
Oh boy, time. How fast you are when I am having a blast, and yet, how slow you are when I NEED YOU THE MOST. I struggle with lateness... A LOT. I'm convinced it's hereditary, or learned. My mother is late to everything... E V E R Y T H I N G. She will procrastinate on getting ready for work, and leave the house ten minutes before she has to get there, meanwhile she works twenty minutes away. I never took time too seriously until I was nearly five minutes late to an appointment I made with a customer, and they almost changed their mind and left-- but luckily they did not. I lucked out, but I did not want lateness to become a habit. Being late does not demonstrate mutual respect, consideration, or courtesy to your customers, your coworkers, and the institution itself. Knowing that someone depends on you to be present and provide a service ON TIME is a great way to practice time management. Note: If you arrive on time, you're late. Arrive early, and you're on time.
Speaking of DEPENDENCY...
Customer service has taught me how to take the initiative and be responsible, and this stemmed from the concept of favoritism, and how it works in the work force. Often times you'll see customers that are on a first name basis with the staff, and customers vowing to their family and friends that they'll never go anywhere but that place. Well, customers go to where they know they will receive optimal service. They rely on you for answers to their questions, solutions to their problems-- basically to be the Google/ Encyclopedia of their lives. Nothing feeds your pride better than knowing you got done what needed to get done, and done well. I have become a far more reliable person all around, and it's rewarding to know your hard work led to customer satisfaction.
And then there was PATIENCE
Customers appreciate great service, right? Well, not all customers understand when you're trying to help them, and when they refuse to cooperate, you will learn the true meaning of patience. Customer service molds you into this mature, dignified, super human that learns how to pick and choose he... I mean, their...own battles. Some things are worth an exchange of words with customers, but constant training about remaining calm under all circumstances pretty much becomes embedded. What better way to practice retaining character, than by refusing to punch someone in throat just because you can't :)
Serving customers makes you a better customer.
Knowing how you'd like to be treated by your customers helps you reflect on how you respect those around you. Do you engage in small talk between you and the girl preparing your coffee? Do you say "thank you" or "bless you" even though they're a stranger? Do you clean up after yourself every time you go out? You become far more aware of other people's attitudes, mannerisms, and overall demeanor while working in customer service. You tip your server more than enough, you leave positive comments after great service, and you spread the word about how great your experience went.
Customer service jobs open doors upon doors...
It should be no surprise that you're dealing with multiple people from different backgrounds, with different perspectives to offer. Each encounter can offer wisdom, guidance, and sometimes great connections! Customer service puts you face to face with entrepreneurs, artists, thinkers, etc. Every experience is a new one to take with you and with the right moves, you could put yourself on!
Customer service enhances your DIGNITY.
Some people have their minds set on the idea that those who serve them are beneath them, and it is important to never let that concept sink in. The customer service motto "The Customer Is Always Right" only goes so far. Customer service jobs range from retail, salons, and even hospitals. Regardless of whether it's customers, clients, or patients, always remember that there is dignity in providing aid and assistance to people who need it, and no occupation should ever make you feel like less of yourself.
