Customer service & call center jobs

Customer service jobs are typically full-time, but hours can vary by employer. Some companies provide customer service 24 hours a day, while others provide more limited hours. Sometimes, the hours during which customer service is open will be for a specific time zone and your schedule will fall within those hours. You can expect to spend much of your time at a desk. 

As customer support, you’ll find yourself working on a range of tasks depending on what your company and team need. The exact nature of the work you’re completing will vary depending on what industry you work in and what your specific role is, but some of the most common tasks you’ll typically be working on include answering customer calls, emails, or chats; looking up account and order info; troubleshooting; answering questions about a company’s products or services; opening new orders or accounts; collecting and analyzing customer feedback; and responding to customer complaints.

And if you’re looking for more flexible WFH jobs, look no further! There are many remote customer service jobs available, though you may need to account for differing time zones when you consider a position’s working hours. For example, an employer with customer service hours from 9 am to 7 pm Eastern time will expect your workday to fall within those times, which could be difficult to schedule if you are based in California or Hawaii.

Most customer service jobs require a high school diploma, though some companies may look more favorably upon candidates with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Previous work experience can be helpful, but it typically isn’t necessary. In most instances, your employer will provide you with on-the-job training, even if you’re working a remote customer service job.

Because those in customer service jobs spend so much time working directly with customers, companies typically place a much higher value on soft skills than on hard skills when hiring. While some familiarity with basic email programs and other computer programs is certainly useful, being a clear communicator with a positive attitude is most important. You need to have good interpersonal skills, a friendly disposition, and a willingness to get to the bottom of what’s causing a customer’s issues.

Occasionally, prior experience in a specific industry—like tech, finance, or insurance—may give you a more well-rounded understanding of customer issues and make you better suited for a more specialized customer service job. In addition, fluency in another language may make you a more desirable candidate