You have also decided to pursue a career in the customer service sector, and you find the remote working model intriguing. However, before beginning your job applications, this is the best time to upgrade your skills and technical proficiencies. It will help you build an impressive resume and increase your job chances.
Being a fresher, you may face challenges understanding the kinds of skill sets and expertise employers usually seek. This article will give you a heads-up on the specific skills and expertise you should develop to grab that dream customer service position. We hope our tips and recommendations will help you understand the practical skill sets you need to acquire to match the skills employers seek.
An Overview of Remote Customer Service Job Opportunities
In a remote customer support service, which often resembles the work operations of a call centre or telecom organisation, agents work from remote locations or their homes instead of the conventional office setting. They provide guidance and assistance to customers via multiple communication channels, including phone calls, live chat, email, and social media.
Remote customer support employees can work from anywhere with a stable internet connection. They can enjoy flexible work hours to suit their personal and professional goals and lifestyles. For instance, some agents take up remote customer service jobs as a part-time opportunity to gain financial stability, particularly when they have bills and debts to pay off.
5 Ways Freshers Can Prepare for a Remote Customer Service Role
Here are the top five ways freshers can prepare themselves and upgrade their skills to land one of the reputable customer service jobs from home.
Demonstrate Your Experience
Even freshers must have basic knowledge or expertise in customer handling or using CRM (customer relationship management) software and specific databases. In your resume, you can add any initiatives you may have taken to improve customer experiences. You can also demonstrate previous experience in similar roles, such as customer service representatives or sales rep.
Focus on Upskilling
As a remote customer service representative, you will need these key skill sets:
- Verbal and non-verbal communication
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Critical thinking
- Patience
- Empathising
- Taking initiatives
- Effective decision-making
- Strong product or service knowledge
- Active listening
- Flexibility and adaptability
Although office-based customer service jobs require employees to possess similar skills, remote workers must have a few additional skills. For example, they must be able to manage their own time while taking advantage of working flexibly. In other words, they should not misuse the opportunity of autonomous working opportunities and be their own boss. Besides, whichever location they are working from, they must have a strong internet connection. So, it is usually their responsibility to have a backup plan in case of connectivity issues.
Have the Right Equipment
A call centre office infrastructure is generally equipped with essential equipment, including headsets, phones or handsets, high-speed internet, computer systems, and video conferencing tools, like Zoom. However, you must usually arrange these devices and equipment in remote working settings. Although some companies may offer you an allowance for these, you must create your own setup.
Networking is the Key
Networking is an excellent way to connect with appropriate employers and organisations. You can strengthen and widen your network by visiting various networking events to create meaningful connections with professionals and leaders from diverse industries. A simple way to improve your network is by making valuable connections on LinkedIn or joining communities on other social media channels. It will help you gain good ground on several companies or employers you wish to work for.
Career Advancing for Better Opportunities
Freshers should have the mindset of working like experienced professionals. To boost professional growth and satisfaction, you should implement the following ideas to advance your customer support career.
- Gain more practical experience through internships, entry-level jobs, and part-time roles.
- Consider specialising and developing expertise in a niche area, like digital service or technical support.
- Participate in additional training and educational programmes to acquire more skills and knowledge.
- Stay updated with current customer behaviour trends and patterns and technological advancements to gain a competitive edge.
- Gain expertise by seeking leadership roles. The best way to do so is by applying for roles that will allow you to manage or lead teams.
3 Reasons for Choosing Concentrix
Concentrix is the right place to look for remote customer service jobs with decent pay. The three main reasons to choose us include:
- We foster a culture of continuous learning and upskilling to ensure employee and organisational growth and development.
- We ensure physical and mental well-being for our employees by maintaining a work-life balance.
- We offer attractive performance bonuses to appreciate valuable employees' hard work and dedication.
Key Takeaways
Summing up, you must improve your communication and people-handling skills while strengthening your problem-solving and empathising skills. Work-from-home customer service jobs are among the best opportunities for freshers not yet comfortable with the corporate office setup. It can be a great option to strengthen your resume and get a hang of the real-world work environment.
