Customer Service / Call Center Industry Profile

If you’re looking for a growing industry that richly rewards your people skills and offers a great work/life balance, then look no further than the thriving customer service field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects faster than average job growth in the sector through 2016, and here in Hampton Roads jobseekers can choose from a wide variety of businesses, from education and banking to retail and communications, so you’re sure to find a field that accommodates your skills and interests.  

Benefits generally include a full spectrum of incentives, health insurance, 401(k) plans, sick leave, vacation and holiday pay, tuition reimbursement, and extras like child-care vouchers. The field offers exceptional opportunities for advancement and many local call centers make it a policy to promote from within, including senior management-level positions. 

For job hunters who need a flexible schedule or part-time hours, customer service jobs are an ideal choice. Some call centers operate 24 hours a day and most are open through the evenings and on weekends, allowing parents juggling childcare duties and others with special scheduling needs to block out a time that works for them. 

 What are employers looking for when they hire? Excellent communication skills are a must, along with good phone etiquette and basic computer skills. Dependability is important as well. Many employers require applicants to type at least 35 words per minute, and some prefer a bit of sales or customer service experience, though most have extensive training programs that teach newbies the specific skills they need to succeed at their jobs, while offering classes for those ready to move up.

So whether you choose to build a career within the industry or refine the customer service and communication skills that can successfully launch you into another field, the right customer service job is out there waiting for you. 

For a listing of current openings, along with information on the region’s best employers, a great place to start is CareerConnection in the paper or online at www.CareerConnection.com.