Customer Service Certification

Customer service entails handling customers and managing the operations of contact centers. Students in customer service programs are taught how to handle queries, maintain customer relations and review customer services.

Featured Programs

If you have strong communication and interpersonal skills and you want to pursue an exciting career, customer service can be a great choice for you. Forbes claimed being a customer services representative as one The 15 Best Jobs for Young People back in march 2012. The BLS reports that jobs for customer service representatives are expected to increase by 15% from 2010 to 2010.

Customer Service Programs
A variety of programs are available for the ones who want to kick start a career in the field of customer service. They can pursue degree or certificate programs in this concentration to hone their skills and get the knowledge required to excel in this profession. Degrees are available from the associate to the master's level.

The curriculum in the customer service programs includes a variety of courses such as economics, quality assurance, customer behavior, strategic and performance planning and analysis and specialized information technology.

In addition to formal training programs at school, customer service representatives also get on-the-job-training in which they learn about the company, services or products. They also get telephone handling training, as it is the major part of their job.

Skill Set for Customer Service Professionals
Customer service representatives should have good interpersonal and communication skills as this profession is all about dealing with people and making sure they are satisfied with the services or products of a company. Absolutely essential to this line of work are organization and problem-solving skills.

Certificate in Customer Service
Certificate programs are also available in customer service. Acquiring such credentials is useful for customer service representatives as they measure a candidate's knowledge of core skills. They also make sure that these professionals meet the needs of customers.

A variety of customer service certificate programs are available in traditional as well as online format. These programs may focus on active listening, how to deal with angry customers and how to document incidents. Online learning is a great way to earn a certificate in customer service while still maintaining employment or just a busy lifestyle. They are suitable for customer service representatives who are already working part-time or full-time and seeking advanced credentials to expand their career opportunities.

Career Prospects for Customer Service Representatives
Customer service is considered as one of the best industries for young people as according to Forbes. Jobs for these professionals are predicted to increase by 15% in call centers, making it a good profession for anyone who wants to enjoy scores of growth opportunities. In addition to call centers, students with customer service certificates and degrees can also find employment in a variety of settings such as credit intermediation, administrative and support services and wholesale trade. These professionals can earn between $9.00 and $23.00 an hour. Compensation is subject to location, qualification, experience and type of employer.

How long does it take to complete a Customer Service Certification?

Enrolling in a customer service certificate course enables students to learn the skills required to deliver superior customer service. Some Customer Service certificate courses can be completed within a week, while other rigorous and thorough certificate courses can take up to 2 months or more to complete. These classes are led by certified and professional instructors with extensive experience in the service industry.

What are the requirements to complete a Customer Service Certification?

In order to enroll in an advanced customer service certificate course, students are expected to have a relevant degree or work experience in the service industry. The classes cover aspects of customer service, marketing & sales, cross-selling and customer relationship life cycle. Students enrolled in the program are expected to take part in group activities and real world exercises. Advanced certificate courses require students to complete up to 260 study hours.

How much can I make after completing a Customer Service Certification?

If you are passionate about a long term career in customer services, then certifications could help you move up the corporate ladder. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual median pay of Customer Service Representatives was $33,750 in 2018. The number of jobs in this field in 2016 was 2,784,500. Also, the employment of customer representatives is predicted to grow by 5%, which is as fast as the average rate for all other professions.