What does a Customer Service Assistant do?
A Customer Service Assistant works online, behind a service desk, or on the telephone. They are the first point of contact between a customer and a business. Their work consists of various tasks such as providing information on a service or a product, and handling complaints. This is a job centred around customers, and requires excellent customer service and communication skills.
Customer Service Assistant skills and qualifications
The best Customer Service Assistants are friendly and enthusiastic when it comes to helping customers. Their communication should convey patience, empathy, and passion. This should be accompanied by attention to detail, to make their services exceptional. Customer Service Assistant skills and qualifications also include:
- Communication skills including written and verbal communication
- Customer service skills including patience and positivity
- Excellent computer skills to record, process, and use information to provide assistance to customers
- CRM mastery to enable documentation of all client interactions including tracking their tickets
- Empathy skills to understand customer concerns and address them satisfactorily
- Problem-solving skills to ensure complaints are assessed in a manner that is satisfactory for the customer and the company
Customer Service Assistant experience requirements
Most Customer Service Assistant jobs are entry-level positions that don’t require any specific experience. However, for positions that require prior experience, candidates should have one to two years of experience in a customer-facing role. Candidates should be able to demonstrate experience in providing excellent customer service in a previous role and also relevant experience in using computer systems for handling customer data. For certain industries, such as finance, Customer Service Assistant jobs may require candidates to have industry-specific experience in a previous role.
Customer Service education and training requirements
Customer Service Assistant candidates should generally have a high school diploma. Candidates with additional certifications such as the Certificate in Principles of Customer Service or the Certificate in Online Customer Service will be at an advantage. These certifications give the candidate the knowledge needed to the job effectively at an entry level. Typically, candidates without these qualifications can qualify for the job if they can demonstrate equivalent experience in a similar role. On-the-job training is usually provided to Customer Service Assistants so successful candidates will be able to integrate into the role easily.
Customer Service Assistant salary expectation
According to Indeed Salaries, average pay for a Customer Service Assistant in Canada is $16.44 per hour. Earnings can vary depending on experience, location, industry, and the hiring company.
Job description samples for similar positions
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