There is a definite benefit to demonstrating your customer service skill set rather than just providing a list of the skills on your resume, especially when the job market is so competitive. In order to set yourself apart, you need to expand on your problem-solving and/or critical thinking skills and illustrate how they have applied to your previous employment to make them valuable.
Enhance Skills
Rather than just listing “customer service skills” as one of your many skills, try something like:
“Dedicated customer service representative known for ability to resolve customer issues.”
“Courteously responded to customer’s needs and addressed any concerns in a timely manner.”
You have to agree, they read much better than:
“Customer service skills”
Emphasise Results
Once you have enhanced your skills, it is time to get down to specifics. Use measurable examples like the ones below to get started.
“Handled over 140 calls daily.”
“Achieved customer satisfaction ratio of 97% within first three months.”
What results that relate to your last two positions could you use to your advantage? Have you been rewarded for any particular achievements?
Where possible, try to keep the focus on the organisation rather than on yourself. This will make the benefits clearer and more obvious. Then, identify some of the key skills needed by your prospective employer and touch upon how your skills are a good fit and can solve their particular needs. Numbers and percentages are really helpful here.
Focus on Keywords
Keywords are important but should always be used for their relevance. Words like ‘customer relationship management’, ‘customer service representative’, ‘helpdesk support’, ‘customer care’, and ‘customer support’ are all helpful depending on the position you are interested in. Use power words where applicable to strengthen the overall image you are trying to portray.
Keep It Real
No matter how tempted you might be to embellish your resume to make your position sound better, don’t do it! There are ways that you can word your resume so that your skills are presented at their best without resorting to falsification. Chances are high that you will be caught out in the end.
Be Clear
One thing that you always need to remember is that your resume needs to be understood at first glance. If a person in the customer service industry is not even sure why you have applied for their position, because you aren’t an obvious match, then your resume definitely needs some more work. Remove clutter and streamline as best you can.
These days, a single job posting can receive hundreds (if not thousands) of applications for a single position. To help them sort through the often overwhelming number of resumes that they receive, both employers and hiring companies are using automated software called Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to trim down the list of applicants.
Highlight your skills and display how they align with both your previous positions and the one you are currently applying for. A well thought out and well-written resume is your only chance to get an interview, so don’t let the opportunity go to waste.
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