Your customer service representative resume should show how you use your skills and experience to handle customer inquiries for an organization’s products or services. In this guide, we’ll provide strategies to write a resume that demonstrates your readiness to contribute to a customer-focused team.
Key takeaways:
First impressions are important during the hiring process, and a basic resume template is the best way to present your work history professionally. Ensure your customer service representative resume includes the following sections:
Make your contact information accessible to hiring managers by placing it prominently at the top of your resume. Include your full name, phone number, email address, location, and a link to your online professional profile. Ensure your information is accurate and up-to-date before submitting your application.
Your Name
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
City, State Abbreviation Zip Code
LinkedIn
As the first paragraph of your resume, the profile should immediately convey your unique value as a customer service representative. Include your job title, how long you’ve been in customer service, and any technical knowledge related to your industry. If you specialize in a particular sector, such as tech support, retail, or health care, mention that as well.
Your job revolves around interacting with people every day, so highlighting soft skills in your profile is a great move. These are often the most important skills in your toolkit and should be emphasized. That includes qualities like communication, multilingual abilities, empathy, leadership, patience, and resilience.
Seasoned customer service manager with over 10 years of experience in the pet industry. Team leader and Certified Pet Nutrition Coach. Coordinates with cross-functional teams to ensure the efficient operation of the store and online order fulfillment. Coaches customer service representatives to drive sales and increase loyalty program membership.
Bilingual customer service representative fluent in Spanish with over four years of experience working in customer-facing roles. Prioritizes customer satisfaction by effectively handling inquiries, managing detailed records, and providing comprehensive product knowledge. Maintains patience and composure under pressure in a fast-paced service environment.
When describing your past positions, the goal is to highlight your ability to put the customer first, work well on a team, and achieve results. The experiences you choose to list here should be tailored to the unique position you’re applying for. Instead of describing generalized customer service responsibilities, consider what the employer is looking for.
For example, if you know the company uses customer relationship management (CRM) software and you’re familiar with it, mention your proficiency. Discuss times you’ve used it to track customer interactions or resolve complaints. This shows that you can utilize their technology to enhance the customer experience.
Customer Service Manager, Happy Pets, Bridgeport, CT
April 2018 – present
Customer Service Representative, Seaside Plumbing and Heating, Fort Wayne, IN
August 2022 – present
Similar to how customer testimonials build trust in a product or service, using numbers to quantify your work history adds credibility to your job duties and accomplishments. Describing resolution times, call volumes, and customer satisfaction scores with metrics adds value to your resume. Hiring managers will appreciate this effort to measure your past contributions.
If you plan to apply for more than one position during your job search, it’s best practice to adjust your resume for every company you apply to. This ensures you stand out as a great fit for the role and demonstrates your ability to meet the unique needs of the employer.
For instance, suppose a clothing retailer needs a customer service representative who excels in a fast-paced environment. Your resume should include evidence of your ability to process transactions, assist customers in-store, and pull items from inventory.
You can still craft a compelling resume even without any prior customer service experience. Instead of emphasizing a long-standing history of work, focus on leveraging other aspects of your background, such as:
Academic requirements will vary depending on your role and industry. Regardless, start with your highest level of education and include any relevant coursework you’ve completed that emphasizes business, service, or industry knowledge.
If you have certifications in specific software or technology, include that as well. Or, maybe you’ve attended a workshop on leadership in pursuit of a senior-level role. Hiring managers should know that you’ve spent time outside of work on your professional development. Especially if you lack experience, certifications can help bolster your resume and show a willingness to learn.
Template:
[Degree Name]
[School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
Example:
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Business Administration
Metro State University, Minneapolis, MN | September 2008 – June 2012
Template:
[Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Example:
Microsoft Office Specialist, Microsoft, 2020
As a customer service representative, you rely on a robust set of skills to serve your employer’s clients. The job posting should give you enough information to determine which customer service and technical skills should be prioritized. To make it through ATS software and on to the hiring manager, include those keywords and phrases throughout your customer service representative resume. Here are some skills you might come across during your job search:
Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
---|---|
Active listening | Chat support |
Communication | CRM software (HubSpot, Salesforce, Zendesk) |
Data entry | Emotional intelligence |
Help desk | Microsoft Office |
Point-of-sale (POS) systems | Positivity |
Product demonstration | Reporting and analytics |
Sales techniques | Teamwork |
Tech support | Typing |
As you construct your professional experience section, use action verbs to frame even the simplest of job duties as an accomplishment. Starting each bullet point with a verb allows you to concisely describe past responsibilities and achievements in customer service. This strategy will help to avoid redundant first-person phrases like, “I was responsible for…” The list below will assist you with writing your customer service representative resume:
Action Verbs | |
---|---|
Assisted | Coordinated |
Delivered | Escalated |
Implemented | Improved |
Managed | Navigated |
Optimized | Resolved |
Responded | Streamlined |
Supported | Trained |
Updated |
The best resume template is easy to read and navigate. Look for a simple, well-organized design with plenty of white space for your writing. Don’t worry too much about selecting the most stylish, unique, or colorful template. Hiring managers are most interested in the content of your resume and how you can create a positive experience for their clientele.
Elizabeth Jones
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
City, State Abbreviation zip code
LinkedIn
Dedicated customer service representative with five years of experience in the insurance industry delivering top-tier service and support to clients. Consistently achieved a 95% or higher customer satisfaction rating through active solution-seeking and tailored insurance solutions. Proven track record of qualified service while navigating complex policies and regulations.
Customer Service Representative, Secure Coverage Solutions, Rochester, MN
June 2021 – present
Office Assistant, Horizon Insurance Group, Minneapolis, MN
March 2019 – May 2021
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Business Administration, September 2008 – June 2012
Metro State University, Minneapolis, MN
As service-related job tasks continue to become automated, employment for customer service representatives is projected to decline over the next decade. This could lead to an increase in competition as the workforce continues to shrink. To stand out, your resume must be aligned with the needs of employers, and that begins with understanding what they need.
Start by studying the job description and identifying key skills and qualifications required for the role. For example, if the job ad mentions “excellent verbal communication,” highlight instances where you’ve used soft skills to resolve a customer inquiry. You could also describe a moment when you de-escalated a tense situation or received a positive review from a satisfied customer.
Combination resumes are a good choice for customer service representatives, from entry-level to managerial. This format emphasizes your skills front and center at the top of your resume. Hiring managers can easily identify your customer service abilities before moving on to a chronological work history that emphasizes the progression of your career.
Include a cover letter to round out your application and increase your chances of landing an interview. Take this opportunity to explain why you’re the best fit for the company’s customer service team and give context to the lists of skills and experiences on your resume. This can help set you apart from other applicants and get you on to the next round of the hiring process.
ResumeTemplates offers free, HR approved resume templates to help you create a professional resume in minutes. Choose from several template options and even pre-populate a resume from your profile.