Customer Service Resume Sample & Template

By Monster Contributor

A customer service resume needs to do many things in order to be effective, much like the person in the job itself. Customer service representatives perform a wide variety of job duties. They maintain customer records by updating account information in company databases, process customer adjustments and payments, recommend products and services, analyze customer needs, and contribute to the team effort by accomplishing goals laid out by management.

Customer service reps often work in retail, which generally requires them to check out customers at a point of sale, but they also work in call centres assisting customers over the phone or through online chats. Regardless of the location, customer service representatives should have excellent written and verbal communication skills.

A customer service resume should showcase any relevant experience you have in dealing with customers. Your resume is your own personal form of advertisement, so if you're a customer service professional who has been in the industry for numerous years, allow your skill set and experience to shine.

Resumes designed to land entry-level customer service jobs should highlight any experience in retail, food service, or other positions requiring close contact with the public.

Common Mistakes for Customer Service Resumes

The main mistake for customer service resumes is including typos and grammatical errors. Failing to proofread and perfect your resume can kill your prospects with a hiring manager, especially since customer service reps are required to record and update sensitive information accurately.

Being too wordy is another common mistake. Consider each word carefully and leave enough blank space on the page to make the resume easy to read.

Ignoring keywords is another common mistake. In a world driven by technology, resumes are often reviewed electronically before they ever reach an HR manager's desk. Some keywords can be found in the job description, and may include "communication," "customer service," "sale," and the like.

Tailoring your resume for each specific job will help you hone in on these keywords and make you stand out among other applicants. Along these same lines, don't mass mail a generic copy of your resume. Take the time to tailor each resume according to the job description, otherwise hiring managers will think you're not interested in the position enough to draft a customized resume.

Being vague is another mistake that's easy to avoid. Even if you're applying for an entry-level customer service position, you need to list concrete skills, accomplishments, and experiences on your resume. Vague job descriptions don't tell a hiring manager much. The key to writing a great customer service resume is between those fine lines of being too vague and too wordy. Find that ideal middle ground.

When you're ready, you can apply to customer service jobs on Monster.