What Should I Expect in a Part Time Customer Service Role?

23 September 2024

Whether you are a broke college kid or looking for something to get some quick cash, part time customer service jobs are what we look for!

Although there are a few disadvantages to working in the customer service realm, it is a good temporary fix!

Especially if getting a full-time job is not your current priority!

However, preparing for such jobs is also important, especially if you want to ace that retail job interview or do well on your part time customer service hotline.

Did you know you could earn incentives if you are a good employee?

If this part time job is just for quick cash, why not take every opportunity to earn a little more?

What Skills are Needed for Part-Time Customer Service Jobs?

To succeed in customer service, you need a particular skill set. These positions are all about communicating and problem-solving. So, here are some key skills to highlight:

Your Communication Skills

Communicating clearly and effectively is the most important of all customer service skills.

For example, communicating over the phone with a customer differs from face-to-face communication with a customer in a store.

Problem-Solving (& Quick!)

Customers will often come to you with a problem they need quick fixing!

It is key to be able to think quickly on your feet and find a solution!

You must listen to the customer’s issue, assess it, and then provide the best solution.

Multi-Tasking in Must

Most customer service jobs do not limit themselves to one or two customers.

You may have to juggle multiple customers, especially in online or phone support. Switching from one task to another while still providing good service will be essential. So, not getting overwhelmed is one of them!

Resilience & Calm

This is one of the reasons why part time customer service jobs could be difficult for some people!

Not every customer is going to be pleasant.

Therefore, empathy and patience when dealing with difficult or upset customers will help maintain professionalism.

Tech Savviness

In today’s day and age of online customer service jobs, “I cannot use technology” cannot be an excuse. It would rather be a quick way to get disqualified in the first round.

A lot of jobs in the customer service field require you to use basic to medium digital technology.

These include software that may be used to track customers interactions, manage tickets, or handle general tech issues.

Computer literacy and basic knowledge about Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems can go a long way.

Advantages of Part Time Job

The advantages of part-time customer service work are evident if you need flexibility in your work schedule. Some of the key benefits include:

Many part time customer service jobs also offer the ability to work mornings, afternoons, evenings, or weekends – essentially, you can choose which hours of the day you want to work.

Learn (& Use) Your Soft Skills: Incredibly useful soft skills! You’ll learn important transferable career skills such as communication, problem-solving, and time management. In many ways, this can help you prepare for your future jobs!
Work-Life Balance: Part time hours mean can work around other commitments like school, family or another job.
Entry into New Fields: Customer service is a great steppingstone to moving into other areas such as sales, marketing, or even management! Plus, your experience in these part-time customer service jobs will be counted on when you apply for a full-time job!
Potential for Career Growth: Many customer service representatives move into full-time roles or advance to team leads and managers over time.

Coming to the Part Time Customer Service Jobs!

The customer service realm provides many job opportunities, each with different environments and responsibilities. Some of the most popular part time positions include:

Retail Customer Service

Retail workers are the first link to customers, engaging with them one-on-one in stores or over the phone. If you like being around people and can be patient—this job could appeal to you.

At the same time, you should remember that some customers will inevitably have difficulty!

It is all about how you handle them!

Call Center Support

Another popular part-time job in the customer service sector is working as a call center support!

Call center agents answer phone calls, troubleshoot issues, and provide information to customers. These roles are often remote-friendly, allowing you to work from home.

Yes, this could be a tedious job since you might have to deal with a few

However, call center scams are at an all-time high. Therefore, do not jump at any job offer you get. Do your research well before joining!

Online Customer Service

E-commerce has become a norm, so many companies need online customer support via email, chat, or social media. If you prefer to work behind the scenes, these are the jobs for you.

You’ll know that tech support is very important if you have any technical background or knowledge.

You can help troubleshoot technical issues for customers—whether it’s over the phone, through a chat function, or via email.

How to Apply for Part Time Customer Service Jobs

Applying for part time customer service jobs is not as tough as it may seem. The following are a few things you can do to increase your chances of success:

Tailor Your Resume

A great resume tip is to tailor them to the job you’re applying for. That is the best way to make your resume stand out!

You’ll want to highlight skills such as communication and problem-solving and any customer service experience you have, too.

Show your would-be employer why you’re the best candidate for the job by tweaking that resume.

Soft Skills are Important

Customer service is a people business. If you have experience in soft conceptual skills such as patience, teamwork, or empathy, include them on your resume.

They are the make-or-break deal breakers when it comes to part time customer service jobs.

Prepare for the Interview

Better prepare yourself by going through likely support center interview questions like –

“Describe a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer,” and

“Tell me about a time when you had to think on your feet to resolve an issue.”

Do Your Homework

Employers & recruiters like candidates who are knowledgeable about the company.

So, spend some time on the internet researching the company so you can understand its culture and customer service philosophy.

This will also allow you to ask intelligent questions during your interview.

Challenges are Common

Challenges are part and parcel of any customer service job.

However, the satisfaction you get out of helping someone outweighs everything else. Here are a few challenges to get you started –

Angry Customers!

Dealing with upset or angry customers is one of the hardest things you’ll have to do.

The trick is to stay calm, be empathetic, and solve their problem as quickly as possible.

Practice active listening and provide solutions that address their specific issue.

Queries Overwhelming You

Do not stress!

You may need to handle multiple queries at one time. But in any case, the idea is not to stress.

Take breaks if required, learn to manage your time, and do not hesitate to ask for assistance from your teammates.

Staying Positive

It’s easy to get down in the dumps when dealing with complaints all day.

But if you focus on the positive results, like making a customer happy, it will be easier to keep your spirits up.

The Best Part Time Jobs to Get Without a College Degree

What is the best part about some part time customer service jobs?

You don’t need a college degree!

Many part time customer service jobs and some of the highest paying part time jobs don’t require a degree in higher education. Here are some of the best bets!

Virtual Assistant

Virtual assistants perform a wide range of administrative tasks from their home office!

These include email correspondence, making travel arrangements, paying bills, managing expense reimbursements, writing or editing blog posts, and much more.

No formal training is required!

Freelance Customer Support

Many small businesses or startups hire freelance customer support agents to handle inquiries. This job offers great flexibility and doesn’t need formal education.

Delivery Driver

Not the typical customer service role if you are looking for a remote job!

However, delivery drivers do have a lot of customer contact. You will need no degree, and part-time hours are also available.

Remote Customer Support

A lot of companies have remote customer service representatives these days so it’s perfect if you want to work from home.

With the right training, most jobs don’t require a degree.

So, are you ready to dive into part-time customer service?

Happy job hunting!

Read Also:

Free Resume Builder For High School Students

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Phlebotomists, also known as phlebotomy technicians, use venous or skin punctures to draw blood. These specialists are essential to the healthcare industry, especially when it comes to the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses. Phlebotomy services can be used by patients to receive transfusions, donate blood or plasma, or test for medical conditions. In addition, phlebotomy technicians have strict guidelines to follow when labeling biological samples, handling needles and other tools, and entering patient data into databases. These workers must execute their duties carefully and safely since they deal with biological samples. Engaging with patients and making a difference in their care is a rewarding experience for many phlebotomists. Phlebotomists who are kind can ease patients' anxieties about having their blood drawn, as many patients find the procedure uncomfortable. 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Learn more about how to become a phlebotomist in this article, along with the procedures for obtaining national certification and education. Requirements on How to Become a Phlebotomist Before getting into the details of how to become a phlebotomist let us clear up the basics. Candidates must earn a GED or complete their high school education. It could be beneficial to take science and anatomy classes in high school. After that, people can enroll in phlebotomy programs, which typically leads to certification after 4–8 months of training. Community colleges, technical schools, and trade schools all offer these kinds of programs. To practice, phlebotomy graduates in California, Louisiana, Nevada, and Washington must obtain certification. To improve their chances of finding work, professionals in other states should still think about obtaining a postsecondary credential. 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Both laboratory experience and classroom instruction are prerequisites for certification programs. Topics including anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology, are typically covered in courses. Students may need to take prerequisite coursework if they are unable to demonstrate algebraic or mathematical proficiency at the high school level. While it's uncommon, some people with a high school or GED opt for on-the-job training rather than phlebotomy school. Phlebotomists are required by state regulations to follow certain guidelines regarding certification and ongoing education, regardless of their educational background. What Does a Phlebotomist Do? Before you want to know about how to become a phlebotomist, here is what you should know about what a phlebotomist does. A phlebotomist, another name for a phlebotomy technician, is a medical professional qualified to take blood samples from people. They might also help with blood drives and transfusions, depending on where they work. 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There is a $65 exam fee and a $35 membership fee for phlebotomy technicians. National Healthcare Association (NHA) NHA offers phlebotomy technicians immersive learning opportunities in addition to professional certification. Practice drills, interactive games, and quizzes are among the available resources intended for educators and students. For allied health professionals, NHA offers a job board, resume review services, and career planning guidance. By showcasing and improving your skills, obtaining a professional certification can increase your marketability even if your state or employer does not require it. Examine the prerequisites for the following three popular certifications. Technician in Phlebotomy (PBT) There are various ways to become certified in PBT offered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). Candidates must possess one year of full-time clinical experience or have finished an authorized phlebotomy program within the previous five years. Programs must fulfill minimum instruction requirements, be approved by the California Department of Public Health, or accredited by NAACLS. In addition to paying a $145 application fee, candidates must pass an 80-question exam. Certified Technician in Phlebotomy (CPT) Candidates must successfully finish a phlebotomy training program or one to two years of supervised phlebotomy technician experience to be eligible for the National Healthcareer Association's CPT distinction. Blood collection, patient preparation, and safety and compliance are all covered in the two-hour certification exam. The exam is $125, and you can buy a study guide or practice test to get ready. Every two years, CPTs need to renew their certification by paying $179 and completing continuing education requirements. Colleges That Offer Phlebotomy as a Course Since phlebotomy students must acquire practical skills in blood withdrawal and collection, phlebotomy programs are typically offered on campus at educational institutions. The programs that prospective phlebotomists can find in the United States are listed below. However, keep in mind that this is just a small selection of all the programs that are offered all over the country. When you want to know how to become a phlebotomist, the college you must go to is an equally important aspect to consider. Abrams College The didactic component of Abrams College's phlebotomy program is offered over two weeks, on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM in Modesto, California. This equates to 48 hours of classroom instruction. To proceed to the externship experience, students must pass all tests and complete all skill station requirements. The 40-hour externship takes place in a hospital or clinical laboratory. Students who complete the program receive a certificate and should be qualified to apply for both state and national licensure. Cuyahoga Community College Cleveland, Ohio's Cuyahoga Community College provides a short-term certificate program in laboratory phlebotomy. Students are trained in blood collection, specific blood collection techniques, medical terminology, ethics, and other related areas through a skills-based didactic curriculum. Students also need to finish an eight-week clinical externship at a hospital or clinic. Graduates of this NAACLS-accredited program have completed it with a 100% job placement rate and a cumulative 95% pass rate on certification exams over the last three years. Furthermore, transfer programs are offered to students who wish to graduate with a bachelor's degree from an institution in partnership. Iowa Western Community College The phlebotomy program at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs consists of 120 hours of clinical experience and 80 hours of classroom instruction. The students receive their clinical placement assignments during the sixth week of the program. After finishing, they ought to be qualified to take the American Society for Clinical Pathology national certification exam. Students must adhere to a rigorous professional dress code and present documentation of their vaccinations upon admission to the program. Santa Fe College Students can finish the two-semester phlebotomy certificate program at Santa Fe College in Gainesville, Florida. In the first semester, students attend 60 hours of classroom instruction, and in the second semester, they complete 105 hours of clinical phlebotomy rotations. Students must pass a background investigation and have all necessary vaccinations to be admitted. This course also includes instruction on bloodborne pathogens, HIPAA compliance, and CPR certification. The NAACLS is requesting approval for this program. South Arkansas Community College Students enrolled in the one-semester program at South Arkansas Community College in El Dorado, Arkansas, are prepared for careers in phlebotomy. Students can obtain their certification in phlebotomy by completing seven credit hours of coursework in phlebotomy, professionalism, patient relations, and medical technology. In addition to working at least 100 clinical hours in designated healthcare facilities, students must complete 100 successful unaided collections and maintain a grade of C or higher in all courses. The practicum is set up by the program director. This program is accredited by NAACLS, and there is a 14-student maximum per class. Cost of Courses in Phlebotomy Programs for phlebotomy are reasonably priced when compared to the potential earnings. The cost of a course can vary from $700 to $3,000, based on the training duration and school. Students who want certification also need to pay a test fee, which ranges from $90 to $200. States that demand licensing will also pay an additional $58 to $200. According to data from the BLS (May 2022), the average hourly wage in this field was $19.51, or $40,580 per year. Phlebotomists mean wages were higher in California, Massachusetts, Washington, D.C., New York, and California—all over $46,900. Wrapping Up It can take a year or less to become a phlebotomist, depending on the educational program and whether the student wants to pursue national certification. It could take longer in some states because of the various certification requirements for employment in those states. The duration of education programs varies based on the type of school and program students enroll in, ranging from eight weeks to less than a year. Programs at community colleges might require more time, while those at vocational schools might be quicker. To receive a certificate or diploma and land a job, completing the program's didactic and clinical hours is necessary. Although it's usually not necessary, national certification can be useful when applying for jobs. Depending on the student's exam preparation and certification motivation, this could take several months or longer to finish. Nonetheless, there are typically time constraints on when a learner can sit for national certification after completing a program. Few states require certification, so working as a phlebotomist can be accomplished in less than a year—especially if the student enrolls in one of the faster-paced programs. If you have thoughts to share or questions to ask about how to become a phlebotomist, please leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you! 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