Customer service representative positions are expecting a large rise in hiring in the coming years, according to the US Department of Labor, so if you're already in this fast-growing industry, or just starting out as a CSR, now's the time to dust off your resume and prepare to make some changes. Here are a few "do's" and "don'ts" of what to put (or not to put!) on a customer service resume.
1. Do target your CSR resume to the specific job/position that you're applying to.
In other words, make sure your resume is tailored especially to your career goal and the particular CSR position you want to apply for. Use industry-specific keywords, ensure the overall resume is simple yet targeted enough so that hiring managers can simply scan the content and know exactly what position you want and why you're qualified. Highlight any past accomplishments, awards, accolades, and work experience so that it all reflects on how you're the most qualified candidate for the job.
2. Do include a "Career Summary" or "Career Profile".
If you already have an "Objective" at the top of your resume, delete it! The "Objective" has been outdated for a long time, so it's past time to replace this area with a "Career Summary" field where you can focus on your most important customer service skills, credentials, and accomplishments (for example, contributing to and/or improving customer response rates or improving customer satisfaction ratings).
3. Don't be afraid to brag about your CSR industry talents and skills.
If you have the accomplishments and numbers to back them up, don't be shy in focusing on those when updating your resume. You're looking to stand out in the crowd of hundreds of other customer service hopefuls, so specifics like how much you saved the company by implementing a new customer protocol will certainly catch the eye and interest of a hiring manager.
4. Don't try to gloss over any lapses in employment.
Customer service hiring managers (and well, most every other potential employer) are looking for dependability in an employee, so if you have a less than perfect work history, try using a functional resume format to highlight your CSR skills. If you get an interview, explain to them about any lapses in your employment history.
1. Do target your CSR resume to the specific job/position that you're applying to.
In other words, make sure your resume is tailored especially to your career goal and the particular CSR position you want to apply for. Use industry-specific keywords, ensure the overall resume is simple yet targeted enough so that hiring managers can simply scan the content and know exactly what position you want and why you're qualified. Highlight any past accomplishments, awards, accolades, and work experience so that it all reflects on how you're the most qualified candidate for the job.
2. Do include a "Career Summary" or "Career Profile".
If you already have an "Objective" at the top of your resume, delete it! The "Objective" has been outdated for a long time, so it's past time to replace this area with a "Career Summary" field where you can focus on your most important customer service skills, credentials, and accomplishments (for example, contributing to and/or improving customer response rates or improving customer satisfaction ratings).
3. Don't be afraid to brag about your CSR industry talents and skills.
If you have the accomplishments and numbers to back them up, don't be shy in focusing on those when updating your resume. You're looking to stand out in the crowd of hundreds of other customer service hopefuls, so specifics like how much you saved the company by implementing a new customer protocol will certainly catch the eye and interest of a hiring manager.
4. Don't try to gloss over any lapses in employment.
Customer service hiring managers (and well, most every other potential employer) are looking for dependability in an employee, so if you have a less than perfect work history, try using a functional resume format to highlight your CSR skills. If you get an interview, explain to them about any lapses in your employment history.