Which skills are best to list on a customer service resume?

Customer service representatives are the voice of a company and have the job of answering questions and addressing concerns and complaints. For this reason, communication skills are some of the most important to include on your resume. When mentioning your written and oral communication skills, it is also important to verify that you can be diplomatic and know how to diffuse situations and retain customers. Other skills that look excellent on a customer service resume include knowledge or experience using point of sale systems or customer management systems, the ability to multi-task, and the ability to take orders, do basic math, and type at an average words-per-minute rate. Sales skills are often beneficial as well.

What goes in the header of a customer service resume?

Customer service resume samples typically include basic information in their headers, and yours should follow suit. Older practices involved including as much contact information as possible, but today’s recruiters prefer a more streamlined approach. The most important information to add to your header is your full name, city and state, and a phone number. Be sure the phone number has a professional-sounding voicemail message and that you can access it easily. If desired, you may also include a professional email address and a link to your LinkedIn account.

How do I list references on a customer service resume?

Whether working in customer service or any other industry, it is considered unprofessional to add references directly to your resume since it clutters the look and takes away from more important information. Instead of providing references on your resume, create a separate document for them. Don’t send them to the recruiter unless specifically asked, though. You can always print out a copy to bring to your interview in case the hiring manager asks for references.

How can I separate my customer service resume from other candidates’ resumes?

One thing you’ll notice on the best customer service resume samples is quantitative information. The best way to make your resume stand out from others’ resumes is to prove your accomplishments. It isn’t enough to say you “raised sales” at a previous position. Instead, provide a percentage or dollar amount by which you raised sales, perhaps with a brief description of how you did it.

How do I write a summary statement for a customer service resume?

Focus on creating between four and six lines of text when writing a summary statement for your customer service resume. You can look at customer service resume samples for a guide. Think of these lines as your “sales pitch” since they are likely the first thing a recruiter will read. Typically, the first sentence will detail your job title and the years of experience you have. The second sentence will focus on one major accomplishment or a couple of hard skills related to the industry. The final sentence will list two or three relevant soft skills. Remember to write in third person. Sentence fragments are acceptable and allow you to add more relevant information in such a short space.

Customer Service Resume Examples & Writing Tips

Finding a job in customer service requires a strong resume that shows off your biggest accomplishments and most relevant skills in the industry. Creating an engaging resume requires the proper writing and formatting skills. These skills ensure your resume is easy to read and includes the proper information in the right order. One of the best ways to write an impressive resume is to study resume samples and writing tips. To help you start writing your own professional document, we gathered some of the best customer service resume samples available. Below, we explain exactly what makes these samples such excellent learning tools.

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Customer Service Resume Samples

Retail Sales Associate Resume Sample

Retail sales associate jobs have a high turnover rate, which means jobs in the industry are nearly always available. However, dozens of other hopefuls are usually vying for the same position, which means your resume needs to stand out. A strong resume, such as these customer service resume samples, that shows off your experience in the industry and above-average customer service skills will take you further.

For:

New or experienced retail sales associates who are seeking seasonal, full-, or part-time work in a department store, boutique, or another business related to the retail industry.

Customer Service Skills To Include:

Knowledgeable in inventory procedures
Hands-on experience using multiple popular POS programs
Performs well under pressure and when dealing with complaints
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Friendly, energetic, and always willing to go the extra mile

More Information:Check out our retail sales associate resume sample for more information.

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Call Center Supervisor Resume Sample

Call center supervisors often benefit from using customer service resume samples. A well-written resume is essential for jobseekers who want to take on a supervisory position within a company. A high-quality resume shows the company you are serious about the position. It is especially helpful for displaying your skills if you have acted as a supervisor in the past.

For:

Customer service representatives who wish to advance within the company or industry as well as anyone who has supervisory experience in a similar industry and wishes to transition to call center work.

Customer Service Skills To Include:

Knowledgeable in inventory procedures
Hands-on experience using multiple popular POS programs
Performs well under pressure and when dealing with complaints
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Friendly, energetic, and always willing to go the extra mile

More Information:Use our call center supervisor resume sample to help you create your own.

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Medical Receptionist Resume Sample

The medical industry is highly competitive, and it is no different if you’re trying to find employment as a medical receptionist. To get your foot in the door as a medical receptionist, you need a well-formatted and well-written resume that focuses on your experience and education related to the industry.

For:

Medical receptionists who are just entering the field and need to focus on their education, as well as established medical receptionists who have experience and wish to find employment with a new company.

Customer Service Skills To Include:

Ability to multi-task by talking to customers while using a computer
Excellent phone demeanor that is friendly and helpful
Highly organized and knowledgeable in the industry
Experienced in Microsoft products and several phone-answering systems
Outgoing, positive-minded individual who puts people at ease

More Information:Study our medical receptionist resume sample for more help creating your own.

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Call Center Representative Resume Sample

A call center representative is the voice of the company, which makes a standout resume more important than ever. Although call centers often have high turnover rates, they also see dozens of applications, so the competition is still stiff. A look at the customer service resume samples can be helpful.

For:

A call center representative resume is best for entry-level or established representatives who are just entering the field or who wish to switch companies. It is also an excellent choice for retail workers who want to transition to call center work.

Customer Service Skills To Include:

Maintains control while carrying on a phone conversation
Experienced with multiple CRM tools
Strong problem-solving skills
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Able to work under pressure and overcome unexpected issues

More Information: Are you ready to create your own professional resume? Turn to our call center representative resume sample for help.

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Bilingual Customer Service Representative Resume Sample

Being bilingual automatically gives you an advantage in customer service, but you still need a strong resume to stand out. Use a resume to show off your abilities and experience in both speaking a foreign language and working as a customer service representative.

For:

Anyone who is already experienced but has acquired new skills as a bilingual representative as well as anyone who is already bilingual but just starting out in the customer service industry.

Customer Service Skills To Include:

Fluent in English and Spanish
Ability to identify customer needs and perform the necessary tasks to keep them satisfied
Highly organized and able to maintain current customer files
Strong sales skills with the ability to upsell many customers
Pleasant demeanor that keeps customers happy while they shop or talk on the phone with you

More Information: Visit our bilingual customer service representative resume sample for help creating your own.

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FAQ

Which skills are best to list on a customer service resume?
Customer service representatives are the voice of a company and have the job of answering questions and addressing concerns and complaints. For this reason, communication skills are some of the most important to include on your resume. When mentioning your written and oral communication skills, it is also important to verify that you can be diplomatic and know how to diffuse situations and retain customers. Other skills that look excellent on a customer service resume include knowledge or experience using point of sale systems or customer management systems, the ability to multi-task, and the ability to take orders, do basic math, and type at an average words-per-minute rate. Sales skills are often beneficial as well.
What goes in the header of a customer service resume?
Customer service resume samples typically include basic information in their headers, and yours should follow suit. Older practices involved including as much contact information as possible, but today’s recruiters prefer a more streamlined approach. The most important information to add to your header is your full name, city and state, and a phone number. Be sure the phone number has a professional-sounding voicemail message and that you can access it easily. If desired, you may also include a professional email address and a link to your LinkedIn account.
How do I list references on a customer service resume?
Whether working in customer service or any other industry, it is considered unprofessional to add references directly to your resume since it clutters the look and takes away from more important information. Instead of providing references on your resume, create a separate document for them. Don’t send them to the recruiter unless specifically asked, though. You can always print out a copy to bring to your interview in case the hiring manager asks for references.
How can I separate my customer service resume from other candidates’ resumes?
One thing you’ll notice on the best customer service resume samples is quantitative information. The best way to make your resume stand out from others’ resumes is to prove your accomplishments. It isn’t enough to say you “raised sales” at a previous position. Instead, provide a percentage or dollar amount by which you raised sales, perhaps with a brief description of how you did it.
How do I write a summary statement for a customer service resume?
Focus on creating between four and six lines of text when writing a summary statement for your customer service resume. You can look at customer service resume samples for a guide. Think of these lines as your “sales pitch” since they are likely the first thing a recruiter will read. Typically, the first sentence will detail your job title and the years of experience you have. The second sentence will focus on one major accomplishment or a couple of hard skills related to the industry. The final sentence will list two or three relevant soft skills. Remember to write in third person. Sentence fragments are acceptable and allow you to add more relevant information in such a short space.

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How to write a Customer Service Resume

Customer service takes in a number of different jobs. As such, candidates in this field need to make sure to customize their customer service resumes appropriately to each position applied for. Generally speaking, the sample customer service resume outline listed here is relevant in most situations. Some customer service resume samples are available on the web, and they may be able to provide additional useful tips regarding inclusions, but they may not always have the most optimum structure. The following structure is recommended for your customer service resume:

Contact Details

At the top you should include your full name followed by your contact details. This needs to include telephone numbers (landline and cell phone) email address that you can be reached at and your home address. Students can put in both their home address and address at university.

Objective

An objective is helpful for a customer service resume of a more junior candidate. An objective is a sentence which states what your goal is and what you are working toward. It is important to target these at the job to which you are applying, otherwise your potential employer will assume that you are sending out resumes at random to a lot of jobs and that you are not specifically interested in their job really. This customer service resume sample suggests that you include an objective that reads something like:

Highly motivated and enthusiastic individual with a passion for learning and a desire to work in customer service seeks entry level job in the fashion industry.

Profile

Customer service candidates with more experience should consider including a powerful profile at the top of their customer service resume. A profile is made up of four concise sentences which provide an overview of the candidate’s most relevant skills and experience to date, as they relate to this position. It must be tailored each time. Sample customer service resumes include profiles such as:

Talented customer service manager with more than 10 years experience managing customer service in the retail industry. Flexible leader with the ability to manage and motivate large diverse teams to achieve challenging goals on tight budgets. Expert in customer service principles who has mastered customer retention and can create processes to improve this key metric. Strategic communicator who thinks on his feet to deal with issues efficiently and effectively.

Your profile commands an important spot on your resume. It falls on the top third of the first page, which is where the employer will naturally look first. A strong profile stands your resume a much greater chance of making the “yes” pile than a resume that pays little attention to this area of a customer service resume.

This sample customer service resume demonstrates how keywords should be worked into your customer service resume profile to increase the chances of your resume being found when an employer searches for those words on job websites. Here, keyword examples included are “customer retention” and “customer service manager”. Keywords are covered in more detail below.

Key Skills

Customer service employees with greater work experience might also benefit from listing out some key skills in their customer service resume. A great chance to include more keywords in a resume, our sample customer service resume suggests that include your key skills in this way:

Customer Services Supervisory Skills
Customer Relationship Management
Training and Development for CSRs
Developing Customer Service Reports
Call Center Process Improvement
Budget Management

Customer Service Education

Your education section needs to be listed in reverse chronological order so you should begin with your most recent position. Specific customer service qualifications should definitely be included. In your education section, include: subject/s studied, educational institutes attended and their locations, graduation dates and also any professional qualifications completed.

Customer Service Work Experience

Customer service work experience must also be listed in reverse chronological order. Focus as much as possible on customer service skills and specific achievements that demonstrate these sorts of skills. If you just list responsibilities your resume will not be processed further. This sample customer service resume recommends you do it like this:

Improved customer retention by 30% by introducing new call center processes to reduce time spent waiting by customers.

Developed new approach for training customer service staff to ensure that the staff was better prepared for issues, reducing errors by 15%.

Or for a less senior customer service resume:

Proactively suggested new shorter customer call script for the help center which was taken up by the management team and implemented.

In writing your bullet points, consider using strong words that really best illustrate your achievements and involvement. Here, we’ve used “Improved”, “Developed”, and “Proactively”. Using action verbs at the start of your bullets will better emphasize your abilities.

Activities

Recent graduates seeking roles in a customer service environment may include relevant activities that demonstrate how they performed customer service tasks. More experienced customer service managers may list memberships of professional organizations or leadership positions held outside of work.

Keywords

Customer service resumes should contain keywords that employers will search for in their search for a candidate. A high quality sample customer service resume will include a number of suitable keywords and phrases which could include phrases such as customer satisfaction, customer retention, processes or efficiency, depending on the specific job.

The above is a clear example of how sample customer service resumes are best structured and the way to write them for high chances of success. For those still at school, your university may also be able to provide you with sample customer service resumes to consider. From this page you can find sample resumes to get you started.