Customer service plays a vital role in every company, ensuring that clients are satisfied thus maintaining customer satisfaction. These professionals are indispensable; nonetheless, it’s often mistaken that there is no upward trajectory.
This myth is just that — a myth. There are numerous opportunities to advance your skills and progress your career. Read on to learn about some customer service career paths and steps to take to climb the ladder.
Skills Needed To Advance in a Customer Service Career Path
There are numerous opportunities for career advancement, but you’ll need the appropriate skills to meet the demands of higher-level positions.
Communication
Communicating is the foundation of a successful customer career. So, it’s no surprise that communication is at the top of our list. Beyond reciting a script, customer service professionals must be able to navigate different personalities as well as appeal to diverse backgrounds. This takes a high level of emotional intelligence, empathy, and patience, but for successful individuals, pays in spades. Often, successful communication means higher customer retention and sales.
There are numerous ways to improve your communication skills, from conferences and certificates to role-playing exercises.
Product Knowledge
Customer service professionals educate customers and potential clients about the product or service a company offers. They interpret all the information that internal engineers, designers, and c-suite professionals conceive into an easy-to-understand message, minus the jargon.
A simple way to improve your product knowledge is to shadow the product designers creating the asset.
Innovation
Innovation isn’t a cut-and-dry skill. However, when it comes down to it, you must be able to identify areas for improvement. After all, customer service professionals are the advocate for the customer. Find ways to meet your company’s goals in creative and solution-based ways, while serving client needs. Creative solutions can show management that you take your job seriously and strive to excel.
Next, we are going to look at some of the steps you can take to accelerate your career advancement in a customer service career path.
Tips To Advance Your Customer Service Career Path
As a customer service employee, you should have a progression plan. This can mean moving up within the company you are currently working for or transitioning to another company. Whichever it may be, here are four tips to accelerate your career.
Advance Your Skill Set
New responsibilities require an advanced skill set. As previously mentioned, this could mean finding a senior-level mentor to coach you through the needed skills. Or you could complete a certificate program to support your growing skillset. Either way, ensure that your skills align with the careers that you’re interested in.
Be Adaptable
Automation has taken the world by storm and has left professionals wondering what that might mean for their roles. No need to worry. Customer service is needed across all industries, from fintech to retail. While some responsibilities may be automated, customer service professionals are valued for their personable communication skills. That being said, whether it’s automation or otherwise, show flexibility by updating your skills or finding innovative ways to best serve in your role. Adaptability goes a long way with employers.
Expand Your Network
It goes without saying that your network can lead to many new and exciting opportunities in the customer service field. Attend conferences or connect with individuals outside of your immediate line of work. These relationships can lead to new employment opportunities at companies that need someone with your expertise.
Speak With Your Boss
Ultimately, you have to be your own best advocate. Meet with management to talk about the value you have brought to the company and highlight examples of your work. If you feel you deserve a promotion, let them know why and give them concrete reasons. Whether this is an increase in sales, gaining new customers, receiving positive feedback from surveys, or securing long-term clientele, show off your work for a chance at promotion.
The other scenario is that you find yourself applying to other companies for higher-paying customer service positions. If you secure a role at another company, speak with your boss and craft a formal resignation letter to make it a smooth transition for both of you.
Find New Opportunities With BestCompaniesAZ
Find your next job with BestCompaniesAZ! We help job seekers ace their customer service interviews and land their dream jobs by providing career-building resources. Find the best employers in Arizona on our website and start applying to open positions today! Advance in your career by finding the perfect position for your skill set.
BestCompaniesAZ has a huge network of partners with many open job opportunities. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you find your next customer service role.
