How to Become a Customer Service Assistant

The role of a customer service assistant is one that has long been around in society and will continue to be an integral part of the workforce.

People of varying ages and abilities can excel as a customer service assistant, making it a popular career path. If you’re looking to become a customer service assistant, here’s how to do it.

Many customer service skills intersect with personal attributes that you might already have, such as a friendly attitude, an eye for detail, and good communication skills. Have a think about what skills you’ll need to ensure a positive customer experience, perhaps by talking to an experienced customer service assistant you might know personally. If you feel you lack any of the necessary skills, don’t fret – most customer service skills can be learned through training or on the job.

While there’s usually no prerequisites for becoming a customer service representative or assistant, it’s still a good idea to seek out qualifications if you’d really like to make a name for yourself in the industry. Most employers will expect you to at least have completed year 10, while further certifications will make an even better impression. A Certificate II in Retail Services or Certificate III in Retail will also come in handy.

More than anything, employers will value you having previous experience in customer service. If you have never worked before, try volunteering at an op shop or other setting which involves handling transactions and serving customers to build experience.

One way to get qualified and gain work experience at the same time is doing an apprenticeship. Apprenticeships usually last 12 months, allowing you to develop practical and theoretical skills, as well as a qualification on the completion of your apprenticeship.

To be considered for customer service jobs, it’s important to have a solid CV and cover letter. Your CV should detail your ability to provide excellent customer service through your qualifications, skills, and experience, while your cover letter should address key points in the job description. Try following these resume templates and customer service cover letter templates to craft the perfect application.

Once your stellar job application has caught the eye of an employer, you’ll be called into a job interview. This is your chance to demonstrate your customer service and communication skills in action, so it’s important to make a good impression through your mannerisms and attitude. Highlight your experience, and if you don’t have much experience, focus on your willingness to learn and enthusiasm for the role on offer.

Becoming a customer service assistant is a fantastic way of kickstarting your career, and can also lead to further job opportunities in sales, retail or customer engagement. Follow the above tips to ensure you have the qualifications, skills and experience to land your first job as a customer service assistant.

Ready to take the next step?

A job in customer service can be the stepping stone to a career in customer experience, sales, user experience, and more. If you’re ready to move to the next step, these courses can get you there.