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If your people skills are perfect and your problem-solving abilities are on point, you might have a bright career ahead of you in the field of customer service.
Unlike many careers, customer service job opportunities exist across industries, making it a field that can accommodate every interest under the sun. Whether you want to become a dispatcher or or a customer service specialist, this is a field with ample opportunities that will allow you to do work that interests you.
But even when jobs are plentiful, competition for plum roles can be fierce. What can help you get noticed is a standout resume.
This guide will show you:
- Popular customer service resume examples.
- How to write a customer service resume.
- Customer service resumes for different experience levels.
- Why cover letters are still important.
- Key takeaways as you begin your job search.
If you’re ready to make your resume right now, head directly to our AI Resume Builder. There, you can choose a resume design of your liking and get advice and easy-to-edit, auto-generated text for every section.
Popular customer service resumes
Customer service is a varied field that has many different job titles, each of which requires a different set of customer service skills. Whether you’re writing a customer service representative resume or are seeking an internship in customer service, studying a resume example can help you learn how to make a resume that will help you stand out. Here’s a customer service resume example for you.
Are you looking for a related job title? Check out these related resume examples or peruse our full library of resume examples:
How to write a customer service resume
Eager to get your first or next job in your customer service career? Start by learning how to write a resume that will get recruiters to reach out for an interview.
A good first step is to sketch out a resume outline. This should include:
- Your contact info at the top.
- An engaging , keyword-packed resume profile.
- A section or two spotlighting relevant skills.
- Your work experience, starting with your latest gig.
- Degrees and diplomas for your education section.
- A few optional sections to jazz up your resume.
Now, let’s break down each of these parts.
Step 1
Fill in your header
Your resume header contains your contact information, which is critical in the job search. After all, a recruiter can’t invite you to interview if they can’t reach you! In this section, include your name, professional email address, phone number and links to your LinkedIn profile and portfolio, if applicable.
When selecting a resume template, choose one that is industry appropriate and easy to scan. For roles in customer service, which exist across industries, choose a versatile modern or simple resume template which will be appropriate for many different work environments. Regardless of the style you choose, however, your contact information should be front and center, in a font that is easy to read.
Step 2
Choose a professional summary or resume objective
Every resume should start with either a professional summary or a resume objective.
For job seekers with relevant work experience, a professional summary is the way to go.
It’s all about highlighting those crucial skills needed for the job and showcasing your most impressive professional achievements. Incorporate data and metrics into your professional summary to show off what you can bring to the table if you land the gig.
If you’ve recently graduated or don’t have much work experience, there is another option: a resume objective statement.
A resume objective is a short introduction, usually two to three sentences long, that allows you to tell recruiters what skills and training you bring to the table and why you’re excited to work for them. It’s an excellent way to make a great first impression, even if you’re just starting out in the field.
The main difference between a professional summary and a resume objective is its focus. In a professional summary, concentrate on showcasing what you have to offer the employer based on what you’ve accomplished at other jobs, leaving out your own professional goals and aspirations. In a resume objective, on the other hand, it is fine to explain your professional goals. However, if you’re writing a resume objective, be sure to also focus on your relevant transferable hard and soft skills to show employers that you have what it takes to succeed in the role.
Resume objective for a customer service resume:
Eager and personable entry-level professional seeking a customer service representative position. Completed a successful internship in a customer-centric environment, honing communication and problem-solving skills. Gained hands-on customer service experience during a summer retail role, refining ability to manage inquiries, resolve issues and maintain high levels of customer satisfaction. Proactive team player, committed to exceptional service with a positive attitude. Strong focus on continuous growth and dedication to learning.
Customer service resume summary:
Experienced and results-driven help desk professional with five years of proven expertise in providing exceptional IT support and customer service. Demonstrated ability to resolve technical issues promptly and efficiently, maintaining a high level of client satisfaction and a 97% customer service rating. Proficient in troubleshooting hardware and software problems, managing ticket queues and implementing effective solutions in a fast-paced environment. Possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, enabling seamless collaboration with cross-functional teams and end users. Dedicated problem-solver, eager to leverage extensive experience and contribute to the success of the organization’s IT support team.
Step 3
Craft a standout skills section
Skills are important for every job, and professionals in customer service roles require their own special mix of hard and soft skills to be successful. Smart applicants know to focus on their training and technical skills but also to emphasize their soft skills, which are the personality traits that make a person great at their job.
Whether you’re an experienced customer service rep or an entry-level applicant, hiring managers will be looking closely at the customer service skills you list. Skills for a customer service resume should be added to your resume skills section, your work experience section, and in your resume objective or professional summary.
Don’t overlook the importance of having a well-rounded mix of hard and soft skills on your customer service resume. In the world of customer service, hard skills such as computer skills are absolutely essential. But, since it’s a customer-facing job that deals with solving customer’s problems, soft skills like communication and conflict resolution are equally important and highly valued. Soft skills are not easily taught, which is why employers actively seek out candidates who naturally possess these qualities. So, it’s all about finding the perfect balance between your hard and soft skills on your customer service resume.
Sample customer service resume skills:
- Product knowledge
- Computer skills
- Telesales
- Upselling tactics
- CRM software
- Data analysis
- Excellent customer service
- Relationship-building
- Collaboration
- Time management
- Communication
- Conflict resolution
Step 4
Write a compelling work experience section
Your work experience section gives you a chance to show employers that you’ve got what it takes to do the job well by giving them real examples of how you work. Forget about writing a list of vague work responsibilities, though — the best work experience section paints a picture of your professional life through the use of resume action words, data and metrics.
Each entry should include the company name and location, your job title and the dates you were employed. Then add three to five bullet points that describe your responsibilities and achievements.
Using data and metrics in your work experience section is an excellent way to impress recruiters with both the scope of your responsibilities and the tangible impact you’ve had on your company’s success. This is particularly important in fields like customer service, where tasks like call volume, customer satisfaction and other statistics can hold major significance. Adding these numbers not only highlights your achievements but also demonstrates your value in quantifiable terms.
Sample customer service work experience entry:
Customer Service Representative | Happy Customer Company | July 2018 – Present
- Achieved a 98% customer satisfaction score in quarterly surveys, consistently exceeding departmental benchmarks.
- Resolve an average of 50 customer inquiries daily through various channels, including phone, email and live chat, ensuring a 95% first-call resolution rate.
- Lead weekly training sessions for new hires, resulting in a 30% reduction in onboarding time and a faster ramp-up to full productivity.
- Implemented a streamlined ticketing system, resulting in a 20% decrease in average handling time for customer inquiries.
- Recognized as a “Top Performer” for three consecutive quarters based on a combination of customer satisfaction scores and productivity metrics.
Step 5
Showcase your education
When completing the education section of your resume, it’s essential to follow certain guidelines.
If you possess a college degree or higher, there’s no need to include your high school education. Begin with your highest level of education and arrange your degrees in reverse-chronological order. Any nontraditional educational experiences like fellowships or apprenticeships can be included here or in a designated section.
Ensure consistency in your entries. Provide the name of your degree, the college or university’s name and its location for each entry. If your degree is still in progress, make sure to mention that clearly (refer to the example below).
Don’t list your dates of graduation unless you are a very recent graduate. Highlighting that you graduated college 20 years ago could introduce age bias into the hiring process. However, if you graduated a year ago and it’s noted in your education section, it will give hiring managers insight into why you may have less work experience than other applicants.
Sample customer service education entries:
How to include your completed degree:
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Minor in Finance, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA – 2021
How to list a degree that is still in progress:
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Minor in Psychology, University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA – Expected in 06/2024
Step 6
Include special sections
You’ve accumulated a wealth of experiences beyond the confines of your customer service career. Adding special sections allows you to showcase those outside-of-work experiences on your resume.
Although these sections are not mandatory, listing items like honors and awards can help set you apart from similarly qualified candidates. Here are a few special sections to consider.
Certifications: If you have gone above and beyond to become an expert in your field, show it off with a special section dedicated to certifications. Here are some examples of certifications people in the customer service industry might list on their resumes:
- Customer Service Certification
- Help Desk Certification
- Call Center Certification
- Client Services Certification
- Client Services Manager Certification
- Customer Experience Certification
- Customer Service Leadership Certification
Language proficiency: Knowing another language can be a real advantage in the customer service field, especially if you work for a company that has a culturally diverse clientele. List all of the languages you speak and include your level of proficiency, which, according to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages scale (ACTFL), should be listed as novice, intermediate, advanced or superior.
Volunteer work: Volunteering is a great way to improve your skills and help your community. Consider adding relevant activities like volunteering at school bake sales or working with seniors. These people-centric activities showcase your interpersonal skills in a way that can be appealing to employers.
When adding items such as certifications and other credentials to your resume, be sure to add the full name of the certification and its acronym to your document. This ensures that an applicant tracking system (ATS) will understand your level of expertise.
Customer service resume examples by experience level
You want to put your best foot forward in a competitive field like customer service. Choosing the right resume format for your experience level is an important step toward achieving this.
There are three main resume formats:
- A functional resume format is the best choice for applicants who are just out of school, who are making a major career change, or who have little to no work experience. This resume format allows you to focus on your customer service skills instead of your lack of experience.
- A combination resume is excellent for applicants who have a few years of relevant customer service experience who still want to highlight their pertinent skills and achievements. This format also works well for applicants who are changing careers.
- A chronological resume format is the best choice for customer service professionals with many years of experience. The chronological format flaunts an applicant’s work experience, highlighting their impressive career achievements.
Let’s break down each of these formats.
Functional resume format: Entry-level customer service resume example
What makes this a great customer service resume example?
-
A compelling resume objective
This entry-level applicant wrote a career objective rather than a professional summary. This is suitable for someone just entering the workforce because it focuses on your career goals and what you’ll bring to the table if hired.
-
Choice of the functional resume format
When you’re new to the workforce, you don’t have much professional experience to highlight. This resume format focuses on transferable skills instead.
-
Additional skills section
The “Professional Skills” section in this example includes bold headers under which individual skills are organized, making it easy for recruiters to see the applicant’s top selling points at a glance.
Combination resume format: Midcareer customer service resume example
What makes this a great customer service resume example?
-
A versatile resume template
Customer service is a diverse field, so choosing a versatile template can be important if you’re applying for multiple roles. This template is simple and clean, which allows the applicant’s credentials to shine rather than fussy design elements.
-
Great format choice
By using a combination resume format, this applicant is able to showcase both his strong customer service skill set and showcase his impressive career trajectory, all in one document. This is a great choice for midcareer professionals who want to give potential employers a fuller picture of what they will bring to the table.
-
Detailed work experience section
This applicant has relevant work experience that gets its fair share of real estate on the page. The bullet points in each entry give him ample opportunity to draw attention to both his work experience and his professional achievements.
Chronological resume format: Experienced customer service resume example
What makes this a great customer service resume example?
-
Strong professional summary
This candidate is highly experienced, which she makes clear in the first sentence of the professional summary. With 12 years of experience, she briefly references her strong skill set, including managing a team.
-
Highly detailed work experience
This applicant has an enviable work history, which is why it’s the star attraction on a chronological resume. Here, she not only shows off an impressive career progression but also highlights the impact of her work through the use of data and metrics in multiple entries. This helps show the impact her work has had.
-
Well-placed special sections
This applicant also used a special section for her Valid Customer Service Representative certification and additional languages she speaks. Putting these under their own headers helps draw attention to the information, which could give her an edge over other applicants.
Add a cover letter
In the world of customer service, where communication is key, a well-crafted cover letter can change the course of your job search.
A great cover letter for customer service allows you to address important details that don’t belong on a resume, such as addressing the reason for a career gap. Writing a cover letter also gives you the chance to showcase your strong communication skills, which are critical in customer service. Whether you’re looking for your first job or your next big job, learning how to write a cover letter is an invaluable tool that will serve you throughout your career.
When you’re ready to write, explore our library of cover letter examples and our cover letter formatting guide to learn how to make your application stand out in the customer service field. Then, choose a cover letter template to make it complete.
To save time and ensure error-free writing, try our Cover Letter Builder, which offers text suggestions to help you write a customer service cover letter in a matter of minutes.
Now, let’s dive into what lies ahead as you embark on or progress in your customer service career.
Facts about the customer service industry
- According to Fortune Business Insights, the global customer experience management industry — also known as customer service — was worth $11.34 billion in 2022. The market is projected to grow to $32.53 billion by 2029.
- In 2021, the median salary for a customer service representative was:
- $36,920 per year
- $17.75 per hour
- According to a study by the Yale School of Management, training makes a difference. It found that customers who interact with skilled customer service representatives are more likely to recommend a product to a friend and are less likely to cancel an account.
Key takeaways for your customer service resume
-
Study customer service resume examples
Resume samples are a useful tool to leverage in your job search. They show you how to structure your resume and how top candidate’s express their career details.
-
Emphasize your most relevant skills
Skills for a customer service resume are critical to success. Highlight your customer service skills, such as strong communication skills, proficiency with CMS software and creative problem-solving. Tailor your skills section to align with the requirements of the customer service role you’re targeting.
-
Don’t forget your soft skills
Customer service is unique in that it requires both strong hard skills and excellent soft skills, like the ability to communicate well, problem-solve and resolve conflict.
-
Showcase your top achievements
Use bullet points in your work experience section to highlight your accomplishments rather than just listing your duties. Quantify those achievements whenever possible using data and metrics.
-
Include relevant special training and certifications
If you have obtained any relevant certifications, such as Customer Service Leadership Certification, be sure to include them on your resume to demonstrate your expertise. These can help you stand out from the crowd.
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Detail your education
While customer service doesn’t typically have education requirements, if you went to college, mention it on your resume. Your educational background could set you apart, especially if it includes degrees or coursework related to the field.
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Create a customer service cover letter
To show you are willing to go the extra mile and to make an even more compelling case for your candidacy, include a targeted cover letter with your resume. It’s a great chance to explain: “What does customer service mean to you?”
Commonly asked question about resume writing
Heather is the Content Strategy Manager for Resume Now and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with more than ten years of experience writing about job search and career topics. She is based in San Francisco.
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