what is a customer service officer?
As a customer service officer, you provide frontline support via telephone, email or online. You interact with customers regularly to ensure they are happy with your company's performance. Aside from answering questions and responding to inquiries, you provide helpful information about the company's products and services. When a customer raises an issue, you open their file to access their purchased products. Having customer information helps you resolve problems faster and build lasting relationships with customers.
Customer service officers work in every industry, depending on their employer. For instance, when you work in a bank, you answer questions concerning clients' accounts and available financial services. In utility services or maintenance companies, you answer questions concerning maintenance schedules and problems with utility bills. In retail stores, you handle customer complaints concerning delivery delays or returns. Sometimes, you generate sales leads from phone conversations. Customer service officers also work in mining, manufacturing and wholesale companies that handle customer requests directly.
Working in customer service requires strong listening and communication skills. You should also be approachable and friendly to build rapport and good customer relationships. Since you interact with many people daily, having emotional intelligence helps you provide a personalised response to every customer. Patience and politeness are also crucial when dealing with angry or demanding customers.
find your next roleaverage salary of a customer service officer
A customer service officer in Australia takes home an average annual salary of $60,000. The remuneration package is based on skills, experience and qualifications. Entry-level customer service officers joining the role earn at least $55,000 per year or $25 per hour. Their limited skills and expertise reduce their salary prospects, but the amount increases gradually with experience and additional qualifications. Experienced customer service officers take home an average salary of $65,000 per year or $30 per hour. Most employers don't offer commissions to customer service officers, but some companies provide bonuses, annual leave days and allowances.
ways to boost the salary of a customer service officer
The remuneration package for customer service support officers depends on their industry and the hours worked. Generally, working as a customer service officer in the telecommunications, mining or finance sectors attracts higher remuneration. That is because you handle technical questions related to finance or technology products. Sometimes, your job involves explaining troubleshooting procedures for technology products. As a customer service officer, you can work full-time or part-time. Working full-time attracts higher hourly rates compared to part-time jobs. You are also likely to earn more if you work overtime hours.
Want to know what you will earn as a customer service officer? Check out what you are worth with our salary checker.
types of customer service officers
The types of customer service officers depend on the mode of communication or the industry they work in. Some include:
- live chat customer service officers: as a live chat customer service officer, you communicate with clients through the instant message service on your organisation's website. Your job is to answer queries and assist customers promptly.
- email customer service officers: some companies offer support by responding to emails directed at them. While email support is slower than live chat, it allows customer service officers to resolve clients' problems.
- social media customer service officers: your job is to monitor social media pages and respond to customers. You also create informative posts that explain the importance of various products. Most social media customer service officers respond to customers publicly, through a private message or refer them to the company's website for additional assistance.
- call agents: you receive phone calls from various customers and help resolve their problems. You should record the telephone messages and escalate them to the right departments.
working as a customer service officer
As a customer service officer, you are the first call for the company, and you work directly with customers to assist them with the purchase process. Read on for details on the tasks, work schedules and work environments in the role.
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customer service officer job description
Some of the core duties of the role include:
- answering customer questions: as a customer service officer, you receive phone calls, read emails and answer online queries from clients. Most customers contact the company to make inquiries or ask questions about the company's products. Your job is to have good product and service knowledge, and provide useful information on the company's procedures. For in-person visits, you direct customers to the right department and help them get the necessary help.
- escalating customer issues: if you cannot offer support yourself, you escalate customers' issues to the relevant support teams or departments. For instance, if the customer calls about a problem that requires a technical support agent, you escalate the problem to the available IT staff to ensure they receive proper assistance.
- recording customer interactions: you use customer relationship management software to manage client relationships. You should update the company's records with a client's buying history and interactions. For instance, you record the topics discussed and questions asked. If you recommend resolutions, note them down for future reference.
- processing customer requests: you process client requests by forwarding them to the relevant teams if, for example, a client calls about order cancellation or returns. You also inform customers of the fees or costs associated with the requests.
- assisting sales teams: you assist the sales teams in boosting sales by setting up appointments with potential clients and forwarding sales leads to field sales teams. You also follow up with the clients after the first meeting.
- sharing customer feedback with the management: you manage customer reviews and collect feedback that identifies areas for improvement. You should share the feedback with the management and respond to negative reviews by apologising or offering compensation.
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work environment
Customer service officers work from an office, regardless of the industry, usually in the office's dedicated customer support area. Your tools of the trade are headphones and a computer. In most companies, you will work with a team, and you can easily escalate issues to different departments. The role doesn't involve travelling since you don't meet with customers outside the office premises. Customer service officers may work from home, especially those who offer live chat and social media support.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include administrators, customer support representatives, sales representatives, sales assistants, sales administrators, and marketing executives. You might also be working close to bookkeepers and receptionists, as well as other specialists that could include, but are not limited to, service managers, marketing managers, marketing coordinators and sales executives.
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work schedule
The typical work schedule of a customer service officer is 40 hours a week in a full-time position. Most customer service officers work from Monday to Friday with occasional overtime hours. If your employer provides customer support around the clock, you will likely work shift schedules. Part-time work is also available. Some customer service officers work on short-term contracts.
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job outlook
A customer service officer is an entry-level position opening opportunities in various professions. You can progress to higher customer service positions like account manager or service manager. Some customer service officers become sales representatives or marketing executives. With more extensive experience, you can progress to managerial roles like sales or marketing managers.
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advantages of finding a customer service officer job through randstad
Finding your customer service officer job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a customer service officer is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.
education and skills
Customer service officers don't need formal qualifications because companies provide on-the-job training. However, some relevant qualifications include the following:
- vet qualification: to improve your skills as a customer service officer, complete a certificate course like Certificate III in business (customer engagement) or Certificate III in business administration.
- computer skills: it is important to learn computer skills like using Microsoft Office suite programmes and other applications.
customer service officer skills and competencies
Some of the qualities of a customer service officer include:
- communication skills: as a customer service officer, you spend the day speaking with customers. You require communication skills to relate with customers from diverse backgrounds. You should address each customer based on their situations and experiences.
- customer service skills: you require exceptional customer service skills to provide outstanding service. When you are approachable and friendly, customers feel at ease when making inquiries, and you build a good rapport with them.
- conflict management: you are the first point of contact in handling complaints and customers' dissatisfaction. Sometimes, you deal with angry and frustrated clients. You should develop good conflict management skills to de-escalate issues.
FAQs about working as a customer service officer
Here are the most asked questions about working as a customer service officer:
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what does a customer service officer do?
As a customer service officer, you respond to queries and interact with customers daily through emails, phone calls and in person. As the first contact point between a client and the company, you should build a good rapport and help the client find what they need. You also deal with customer complaints and escalate difficult issues to the relevant departments.
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how much does a customer service officer earn in australia?
Customer service officers earn an hourly or monthly salary based on experience and skill level. The median salary in the role is $60,000 annually, while entry-level workers take home $55,000 yearly. When you have extensive skills and experience, your remuneration package is over $65,000 per year. Aside from the base salaries, some employers provide additional incentives like bonuses and allowances.
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what abilities are necessary for a customer service officer position?
As a customer service officer, you should be friendly and approachable to enable customers to ask questions comfortably. Being patient and polite even when handling demanding clients is also important. Since you communicate with customers, you require excellent communication and telecommunication skills. Phone etiquette shows your professionalism and provides a good image of the organisation you work for.
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is customer service officer a good job?
A customer service officer role is a fantastic career path. You can join the industry with minimal skills and experience. It also provides multiple opportunities for career growth. For instance, customer service officers can work in sales or marketing departments or progress to managerial roles in sales and customer service.
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how many hours do customer service officers work?
As a customer service officer, you are likely to work 40 hours a week from Monday to Friday. You work the traditional office hours in full-time positions. Part-time positions are also available.
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how do I apply for a customer service officer vacancy?
Applying for a customer service officer job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our customer service officer job offers.
Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.