Looking for the best work from home customer service jobs? Here is an in-depth guide to all you need to know to get started and find opportunities.
Are you looking to begin or restart your career working remotely in customer service but just don't know where to start?
It can be confusing to figure things out, given the sheer number of options available.
This guide will help you learn everything you need to know about work from home customer service jobs, from the skills needed to finding the right job opportunities.
Typical customer service jobs require you to be the point of contact for customers for a particular company and sort out their queries.
The advantage now is that customer support teams don't need to report for work as the job can be performed from the comfort of one's home.
These kinds of jobs will need you to be thorough with the functionality and the extent of the company's products so that you can help customers with any issues they may be facing.
Potential buyers may also reach out to customer service representatives to gather more information and get doubts solved about the products or services.
Customer service jobs also require the worker to perform data-entry tasks based on their experiences on a day-to-day basis.
They may also be tasked with updating the company's self-service pages on their websites so that customers can quickly solve their problems without having to wait to speak to a representative.
In some cases, the rep may also be responsible for directing the customers to the various departments of the company, such as product or engineering teams, to meet specific requirements.
The landscape of customer service roles has undergone a significant shift, with digital channels being used almost exclusively now.
This includes chat, e-mail, or even social media inquiries through direct messages.
You should consider customer service jobs if you're someone that loves to help other people solve problems.
This means you need to have certain technical skills to help customers deal with usage issues.
You must also be open to spending a significant portion of your day on calls with customers, which can be difficult to manage if you're an introvert.
Here are the different kinds of work from home customer service jobs that are available:
Here are the best places where you can find work from home customer service jobs:
A tried and tested route is to be vigilant for openings on LinkedIn. It is the place to be for all companies regardless of size, and aspirants can find abundant opportunities through this popular site.
WeWorkRemotely is the place to go for exclusively remote job opportunities, making it easy to find work from home opportunities.
A membership-based site that sources freelance, remote jobs for its members, FlexJobs offers jobs in over 30,000 categories, including customer service.
As the name suggests, Remote.co is primarily used by companies to hire remote workers. It also offers a number of tools and resources for job seekers to enhance their profiles.
Upwork is one of the most popular freelancing websites, with regular postings about new opportunities.
Every application will cost credits based on the duration and skill level required.
Here is a brief list of the things you will need to work a remote customer service job:
Here are some important tips to find and succeed in a customer service career:
The tonality of speech
The tone of voice is often overlooked by customer support workers. By sounding natural, like you're not reciting a memorized script, you can gain the edge over other customer service reps.
The ability to stay calm
Being able to stay calm in a stressful situation is vital to have a career in customer service.
Several people will be quite vocal about their dissatisfaction with the product or service, and it is essential that customer service workers can keep a level head to diffuse the situation and handle it appropriately.
Empathy and comprehension
Patience, attentiveness, and being able to understand the customer's problem are crucial for this role.
Making the customer feel heard and understood can go a long way in solving their problem swiftly.
Sales and closing skills
Customer service reps will often be approached by potential customers who are on the fence about a product or service.
And in such a scenario, they should be skilled enough to persuade the enquirer to try out the service and close the deal over the phone or email if needed.
Time management skills
Being able to manage a hectic schedule is essential to work a customer service role.
Subtly limiting the time spent with each customer is vital to ensure that all the people that reach out get the assistance that they need or that they are pointed in the right direction.
Here are some similar jobs that you might want to check out:
Yes, it is beneficial to have customer sales associates trained in sales and closing to increase conversions on inquiry calls.
Having exceptional communication skills, being a good listener, troubleshooting, and being level-headed in tense situations are some of the non-negotiable skills for customer service roles.
A high school degree is the bare minimum requirement to become a customer service representative. But, having a bachelor's or master's degree will boost your chances of entering the field in a higher role.
Working a customer service job remotely can be a great option for people-persons that are more comfortable not commuting on a daily basis.
For reliable job listings, you can't go wrong with LinkedIn.
If you don't mind paying a small fee, you may also choose Remote.co for their verified and exclusively remote opportunities.
Similarly, freelancers may choose to go with Upwork or WeWorkRemotely.
Use the tips above to get a head-start on your job search and find a suitable opportunity online.