A part-time student job may be exactly what you need to help ensure funds don’t run dry this uni term. However, when it comes to a job to have alongside studying, you need to ensure it is suitable and manageable for you to maintain a positive work-life balance and one that isn’t a drag! These are just a few of the reasons why a customer service job may be perfect for you! 

What is a Customer Service Job?

To put it simply, the term refers to anything involving communication with clients, meaning you can find it in just about any industry and anywhere in the UK! As a customer service representative, your main role will be helping customers with complaints and questions, providing information, taking orders and returns and generally being a point of contact. In some positions, your role may also include stock management and invoicing. With so many responsibilities, it means no days will ever be the same! 

Customer service jobs take place in many different environments too. You could find yourself working in a shop working face-to-face with customers" to "You could deliver a text message to customer support or find yourself working in a shop working face-to-face with customers. There are also online customer service jobs such as online live chats, or if you prefer talking over the phone then check out call centre vacancies. Either way, you will become the face of the company as you represent your business as the first point of contact. 

Skills Required to Become a Customer Service Advisor

If you love helping others, then a customer service job could be right down your street! You need to ensure that you are willing to take time and help others, which can utilise your problem-solving skills! Most companies follow call center trends and integrate proper technologies for a better customer service strategy.

There is much more to being a customer assistant than being a friendly face. A key part of your success as a customer advisor will be able to provide information in a clear way. This will show the customers that you know what you’re talking about, meaning they are more likely to buy the product or service, which is a success in the eyes of a customer service advisor! 

Here are some of the most essential skills for being the best customer advisor:

• Communication
• Positive attitude
• Empathy
• Patience
• Listening skills
• Flexibility

These are just of the soft skills which you will use and improve during your role as a customer service advisor.  

Why Should You Become a Customer Service Advisor?

With flexible hours and great pay, these perks highlight why a customer service job is an ideal job for students. If you are looking for a highly flexible job, then check out hotel or airport jobs, as they look for staff that can work any hours of the day or night. Also, you may find some work from home customer service roles, meaning you have even more flexibility as all you need is a laptop and WiFi before you start earning! For many positions you may not need previous experience, making them suitable for your first job. "Use your skills to your advantage and tell employers what you've learned through your experiences outside of the working world,"- says Monica Rodriguez, a writer at LeadsMarket. 

While working in a fast-paced environment, you will develop many skills to help your future career once you have graduated, such as your communication and team working. There is also the potential to climb the ladder in any company after being a customer service representative. Even if you don’t choose to find a job straight after graduating, then the skills gained will still look great on your CV. 

According to Ruban Selvanayagam of Property Solvers: "Graduates often feel pressured to get onto the career ladder straight away.  As a customer service employer, we're often impressed when we hear of meaningful trips abroad, volunteering or other forms of 'real-life' experience.  It all counts for a lot in our book."

So, if you want to kickstart your customer service career, then check out the current customer service jobs on StudentJob UK and start applying now! Oh, and if you need some help with your application, then check out these application tips!