Customer Service Job Market

Virtual Employees Needed in The Houston Area

Online company seeking to hire 150 customer service reps to work from home in the area of Houston Texas.

Information technology devices are increasingly becoming smaller, lighter, and more powerful. People now have the ability to work in different areas remotely. Job requirements that required a dedicated office to do can now be done anywhere. People can find flexibility and the opportunity to balance everyday life with work requirements by telecommuting. Workers can set their own schedules and do not need to concern themselves with long commutes to an office.

Globalization has brought down many of the walls in business and commerce. People now work with others across the world on teams and projects. Customers for services and products can be reached through different parts of the globe with the internet. People who are bi-lingual have the advantage of communicating with more customers and are in demand for many careers. Read more about Virtual Employees Needed in The Houston Area

Charleston, WV Firm Adding Jobs

Business processing services provider NCO Group Inc. is expanding the work force at its Charleston, W.Va. contact center. State and NCO officials announced on January 13 that the company plans to hire about 90 associates and invest more than $350,000 in equipment and training at the center. NCO is looking to fill positions to provide customer service support for one of its utility clients. The company also is hiring managers, trainers and supervisors.

Freelance Customer Service Jobs

Many businesses have found the practice of outsourcing as a way to cut costs but still maintain their basic services and functions. One of these functions is customer service. Firms have found they can meet the needs and concerns of their customers and cut costs by paying less in overhead. Companies do not have to commit time and resources to train in house staff and can concentrate on their product and services.

Companies contract out their customer service functions to outside firms. These firms further take advantage of saving money by hiring freelance employees. Technology has allowed work to be done remotely and more mobile. Some companies have been able to hire customer service staff that can work from their own home. These people can service firms in different industries ranging from finance, communications, and media services. Read more about Freelance Customer Service Jobs

New Customer Service Jobs at Amazon.com

Larger companies are expanding their customer service departments. The larger the companies—and the more technological their services are—the more assistance they need in serving their customers. Some companies that are hiring customer service agents include Amazon.com and Capital One Auto Finance.

People in Grand Forks, North Dakota are pretty happy about the development, as Amazon.com’s new facility in the city will be the one hiring the new customer service agents. The facility is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Around 200 new agents will be hired, which is a big chunk of employment for the smaller city. Read more about New Customer Service Jobs at Amazon.com

Retail Sales: Better Wages = Better Employees

Today, Forbes has broken news on something everyone should already know - higher wages mean happier employees. This is true in most corners of the working world but I feel especially true for the service sector. It is in any companies best interest to pay the people who deal with customers as much as they can. People have less bad days when they make more money and happy workers really do mean happy customers.

Some companies that pay the best wages and have comparably better service: Nordstrom, The Container Store, and Sephora USA. Read more about Retail Sales: Better Wages = Better Employees

Job Interviews: How to “ace” the test!

The Value of “Customer Service”

Interview with Customer Service Expert, Part II

What advice would you give other people who wish to work in retail?

The number one rule to live by: Short term pain= long term gain. Most people are content to "skate by" doing the minimum to keep their paycheck. If you are motivated to excel, you are probably more motivated than most of your co-workers.

Be very careful in regards to what company you choose to work for. Many care for the work/life balance of their employees and follow labor laws (such as being able to clock out for lunch) and others do not have double coverage leaving you lucky to go to the bathroom. Read more about Interview with Customer Service Expert, Part II

Interview with Customer Service Expert

Cody is a friend of mine from high school. Kind, spunky, and spirited, she knows how to handle customers and coworkers, and is always willing to go above and beyond the basics. Here she gives a few tips on working with customers and the retail industry in general.

What led you to this job?

I saw a post on Monster.com. I had been working at Radio Shack while going to college and the assistant manager position was about $4.50 an hour more than I was making then.

What are the hardest parts about working in retail?

The way the public often treats you. A good number of customers are ok, a few are great/fun to help, but when they are jerks THEY ARE JERKS! I think the whole "The customer is always right" has ruined the public!
What do you enjoy most about working in retail? Read more about Interview with Customer Service Expert

Interview with Customer Service Associate

Though I’ve worked in the fast food world as well as a small town convenience store, I’ve never handled customers in a department store or other retail setting. What is it like in this type of job? Maria*, a Customer Service Associate for a large nationwide store, shares some insights.

How long have you worked at your store?

Since high school, so about six years.

That’s a long time—did you plan to stay at this job?

No, it’s actually my first job. I went to college while I worked, but nothing really ever opened up in my area. As I worked, I just kept moving up, so it made sense to stay here, at least for now.

Do you enjoy working here? Read more about Interview with Customer Service Associate