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

Deepanwita Dey

Deepanwita is a seasoned practitioner of ‘jumping the ship’. She started out her journey with literature and now holds a double graduation degree, one of which is in psychology. As a result, she is now using this skill to help confused job seekers to pick a direction. Given her academic background, her writing is laden with analytical analogies and deep research. As one of Content Rally’s most regular contributors, readers can find a sense of confidence in her writing.

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How To Become A Radiology Tech? – Skills, Qualifications, Education, And More

How to become a radiology tech? You can start your career by getting an associate degree in radiology. However, if you get an advanced degree, you can qualify for leadership roles. Then, you must consider specializing in a radiology area. Moreover, you must earn a certification from ARRT if you want to get a state license. In this article, you will learn about how to become a radiology tech and pursue a career in the field. This article also guides you through the factors you must consider as you prepare to become a radiology tech. Finally, you will get a step-by-step guide on pursuing a career as a radiology tech. Hence, to learn more, read on to the end of the article. How to Become a Radiology Tech? – A General Overview Generally, a radiology tech performs important diagnostic imaging procedures. Also, they perform scans to get a better idea of a patient’s health condition. This helps radiologists and physicians better. If this job seems interesting to you, you must consider pursuing a career as a radiology tech. However, you must understand the different requirements for becoming a radiology tech. This can help you successfully land a job at a reputed place. A radiology tech is a healthcare professional who helps in finding out health issues with patients. If you become a radiology tech, you have to operate X-rays and other medical imaging tech to find out problems. Moreover, you will have other duties as well. For instance, you might need to explain radiology procedures to patients and handle complex imaging machines. Moreover, you also need to ensure the compliance of safety protocols. According to the US Bureau of Labor Survey, the average radiology tech salary is $73,410 (2023 data). Moreover, you will have better-earning potential with some radiology tech specializations like MRI scanning, nuclear medicine, radiation therapists, etc. Radiology Tech Specializations Once you pursue a career as a radiology tech, you must have one or more specializations. Some specializations include: Medical Imaging like X-rays, CT Scans, MRI, and mammography Nuclear Medicine To become a radiologist technician, you must complete a high school diploma and then pursue a radiology program. Then, after you choose your specialization, you must get a radiographer certification. After that, you can prepare your resume and then apply for jobs. How To Become A Radiology Tech? – Factors To Consider If you want a service in the healthcare industry and also want plenty of contact with patients, you will enjoy a career as a radiology tech. In fact, to start working, you just need an associate degree in radiology or a similar field. However, if you want early success in this career, you must have an eye for detail. Also, having good math and technical skills will help you grow a lot. Apart from that, you need to show a compassionate outlook. On the other hand, this is actually a physically demanding job. Apart from that, this field is constantly evolving. Hence, if you have more stamina than others and you can adapt to different conditions, you can succeed in this job. The following are the major factors you must consider if you want to know how to become a radiology tech: Radiology Tech Job Description As a radiographer, you might practice radiography or specialize in different medical imaging techniques. Actually, you have to work with doctors and radiologists to produce images of patients’s organs. The following are some of the major tasks you will need to do as a radiology tech: Prepare patients for radiology tests. Also, you must explain the procedure to them and make them remove metal objects from their body. Perform tests like X-ray exams, mammograms, MRI scans, etc. Sometimes, you must review patient histories, doctor reports, charts, etc. Position patients and align them with machines. Additionally, you must calibrate machines to accurately produce images. Moreover, you must follow safety protocols and shielding devices. This way, you can save yourself, patients, and other coworkers from harmful radiation. You must check the clarity of images and explain them to doctors in your team. Since you know the correct procedure to use equipment, you need to sterilize and store imaging equipment accordingly. You must control radiology tech equipment in such a way as to produce accurate images with enough density and detail. Stay updated about radiation equipment and its safety measures. Also, you must learn how to use protection devices. You must have basic information about state and federal regulations and the policies of medical institutions. This way, you can ensure compliance with those regulations and policies. Radiology Technician (Xray Tech) Specializations Here are the major specializations of a radiology tech out of which you need to choose yours: X-rays Computed tomography (CT) Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Sonography Bone densitometry Nuclear medicine Vascular interventional radiography Mammography Cardiac-interventional radiography Essential Qualifications And Education To become a radiology tech, you can take different educational approaches. This is because there are several pathways to explore. The following are some of the most popular options to consider: 🎓LXMO Certificates You need almost a year to complete LXMO certificates. Basically, with the help of these certifications, you can quickly become a radiology tech. However, there are some drawbacks to consider. For instance, if you have something less than an associate degree, you cannot earn an ARRT certificate. As a result, you will not qualify for a radiology tech license in some states. 🎓Associate Degrees Generally, associate programs are for two years. Once you complete them, you can get a good exposure to radiology technology. Apart from that, these programs also include hands-on clinical experience and general education classes. 🎓Practitioner Certificates A degree course takes a lot of time and effort. Hence, radiology tech expands their qualification by earning certificates with specializations. However, these certificates are for practicing individuals and not starters in the field. 🎓Bachelor’s Degree A four-year degree in radiology technology will give you a deep dive into medical imaging. Also, you can develop a big picture in the radiology field. Also, you will gain various communication and analytical skills. Hence, you will be ready for managerial and supervisory roles. 🎓Master’s Degree If you want to pursue further studies in the field of radiology technology, a Master’s Degree is the way forward. This will prepare you to pursue extensive knowledge in the subject. Also, you can be prepared for leadership and advanced practice. Moreover, you will have a chance to become a registered radiologist assistant. How To Become A Radiology Tech? – Steps To Follow To become a radiology tech, follow the steps below: 1. Pass a Diploma or an Equivalent Program Here, you just need to earn a high school diploma or the GED test. Moreover, you will benefit from taking classes in the PCMB (Physics, Chemistry, Math, and Biology). Once you have a solid background in these subjects, you will have a better understanding of radiology and its technologies. Moreover, you can consider volunteering at a healthcare center. This will help you understand the work environment. 2. Complete an Accredited Radiology Program Many medical facilities and employers look for radiology tech with formal education and certification. Hence, you must pursue a hospital-based or college-based program with JRCERT accreditation. Hence, you must consider getting a two-year associate degree in radiology tech. This will ensure you an entry-level position. However, for supervisory and administrative roles, you might need a Bachelor’s or a Master’s Degree. After getting your specialization, you must complete your clinical training at a major hospital or a diagnostic center. This will help you to get placements after you complete your training. 3. Earn A Certification To start working, you have to show a state board license along with an ARRT certification. However, to get this certification, you must have a Bachelor’s degree. Also, you must meet the ethical requirements of this certification. Moreover, to maintain your certification, you must complete various continuing education courses in radiology and radiography. Furthermore, you can also choose advanced training as you complete the former. 4. Prepare Your Resume And Apply For Jobs With the help of an effective resume, you can improve your chances of securing an interview. However, make sure you get tips on your resume from a professional. Additionally, ensure your resume is concise and has a professional summary of why you are the right person for the job. Apart from that, your resume must also contain brief details about your skills, experience, and educational background. Moreover, you must also ensure that your resume is tailored to your job requirements. Land Your Radiology Tech Job Now You now know how to become a radiology tech. You have seen that these professionals perform multiple medical imaging procedures, CT scans, and X-rays. However, as a radiology tech, you will be working with medical teams consisting of doctors, registered nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Hence, consider working on your communication skills. Do you have more suggestions on how to become a radiology tech? Please share your ideas and opinions in the comments section below. Read Also: Copywriting Jobs 101: Essential Steps To Become A Copywriter In Demand Jobs 2024: 11 Roles That Are Skyrocketing In The Job Market

4 Key Etiquette Tips on How to Ask for Career Advice

It is common to ask for professional career advice in the modern job market. Many job seekers want to improve their positions during the job search. No matter what kind of work you are looking for: an online job, a startup, or a role in the writing business. Besides, many mentors want to share their earned experience and help applicants grow professionally. Such a request for help does not have any specific format. You may ask any kind of mentor: a hiring manager, a career advice expert, or just a professional with a rich Linkedin profile. When choosing a career advisor, do not limit yourself to a single option. Do not be afraid to ask as many people as you can reach. Besides, you may ask for advice from people from parallel industries. You may get unexpected insights about how your career field works and what goals you may approach. Several guidelines will help you politely ask required questions to your mentor for help and receive a positive answer. 4 Tips For Career Advice 1. Do Home Research Before asking a mentor for help, you need to make necessary preparations. One of the best ways to receive adequate consultation is to attach your resume to the introduction email. It will help your mentor understand what you are capable of and what kind of advice they can provide. You deserve a well-crafted resume, so contact ResumeService 24 to get satisfying results. This resume will not only help you attract your advisor's attention but also pass ATS bots. Modern resume-scanning software filters applicants according to certain criteria. Therefore, top professional resume writing services will help you match all your knowledge and experiences in an appropriate format. This bot-beating resume will aid you more than once in your career. Besides the resume, you will need to research the field you are going to ask for a bit of advice. A correctly formulated question is half of the answer. You need to know precisely what you are asking for and what you cannot find. You may consult with hiring managers or with people on career resources. Such clarification will help you to ask the question correctly. Another research that you should do is about your possible mentor. Visit their Linkedin profile, and learn the area of their expertise. The more you know about your future mentor, the more you will get in a minimum amount of time. Preliminary research will save you and your mentor a lot of time. 2. Do Not Be Afraid Asking for a piece of career advice may sound intimidating for some people. Taking someone’s time for your benefit and approaching high-rank professionals with this request may seem impolite. Remember that professional consultation is a common practice. Many people are ready to provide such advice. If you approach such a request politely and strictly to the point, you will receive immeasurable help. Competition in the modern job market is intense. You need any kind of help you can get. Job seekers who have gathered more information first-hand have an advantage over regular applicants. 3. Contact Via Email E-mail is one of the most popular means of contacting a career advice expert. Your email should be short but informative. Here your resume will be in handy. In your mail, briefly introduce yourself, state your question and provide the necessary information. It may include: Your experiences.A cover letter. Relevant accomplishments. Try to mention only important elements. You need to compress your correspondence into a page at max. People who deal with work email will likely answer a short e-mail than a lengthy essay. At the end of the letter, state how you will follow up and how you plan to stay in touch. Finally, proofread and edit your message. Sending a poor-written letter will not make a good impression. You may resolve your question with e-mail correspondence or set a personal meeting. 4. Personal Meeting Try to accommodate your mentor's schedule when you plan a personal meeting. You need to help them to help you. Choose a fitting date and suggest an audience. You want to keep it short. If you ask for twenty minutes, you will arrange a consultation more luckily. During the meeting, do not spend time on small talk. You have gathered to discuss business, and you should not take more time than necessary. Naturally, we do not exclude general politeness but try to keep the conversation in one direction. It would be nice to ask what you can do for your mentor afterward. Usually, professionals help you invest in your career without expecting something in return. Yet, it would be polite to offer your service or help to your advisor. Finally, do not forget to thank your career advisor. A short follow-up letter will be a proper courtesy from your side. Also, follow-up letters are a good communication point to continue your professional relationship. Final Tips Do not be discouraged if you do not get the professional help you want. Or if you received a decline to your request. It does not mean that you were impolite or violated any rules. There are many factors that you cannot control during career research. Therefore, try to acquire as much professional help as you can. Ask for help from different people and diverse resources. The more you practice receiving career advice, the more versed you will become in professional communication. Additionals: Fast-Track Your Career: 7 Things You Should Know About Executive CoachingIs Investment Managers A Good Career Path In 2021?Is Medical Assistant A Good Career Path In 2021?How to Start Your Career as a Financial Advisor?

Should You Be Friends With Your Co-Workers?

An average person spends about 90,000 hours at work. These hours are equivalent to one-third of a person’s life. During this time, there are higher chances that an individual will meet new people at work. There are also chances that an individual would want to make friends with their colleagues. Making or not making friends with co-workers can be an individual preference as both decisions come with an array of advantages and disadvantages. Being friends with your co-workers has been proven to help increase job success. At the same time, many strongly believe that people who work in a toxic environment should avoid making friends with colleagues. The question arises: should you be friends with your co-workers or not? If you want to know, read on. Job Satisfaction Undoubtedly, many people spend most of their time at work, which is tiring. That is why many people try to diversify the working process with friendly relations. Findings have shown that when people make friends with their co-workers, it helps increase job satisfaction. Moreover, it helps perform better at different designated tasks and can motivate people to want to take part in other projects. Making friends with co-workers can bring higher morale, so you are always motivated to perform at your best. You will want to show more commitment to your work and the organization as a whole. Your colleagues will always motivate you whenever you feel down or tired about a specific task. Even when you are off from work, they can always cover for you, especially when you have an unfinished project that is due. Mutual Trust, Care, And Respect Beyond discussing workplace-related matters, there is more to getting along with your co-workers. Think about a nice time after work hours. Spending some time at the cinema or doing outdoor activities at the weekend can positively impact your friendship. You can enjoy a better work relationship by asking each other questions freely, discussing ideas, and solving issues. Indeed, the friendship you build at your place of work can sometimes last for a lifetime whether you remain in the organization or not. A workplace friendship built this way will create more respect, trust, and care. You would always want to check and look after each other. According to the Australian Institute of Management's poll, good relationship with co-workers is an integral part of finding friends for a long time. Read Also: 7 Fun and Simple Outdoor Activities for Your Child Under Ten Employee Engagement Friendship with co-workers can be a great way to increase employee engagement. Seeing a close friend who is busy with tasks assigned to them can motivate you to engage more. This is backed up by a workplace study by Gallup in 2012 where employees who worked in the same place with their close friends admitted that seeing their best friends at their workplace helps them engage better in the working process. When workers became more professional at work, they ignored friendships. Psychological And Social Support Findings have shown that women are more enthusiastic about making friends at their workplaces to get emotional and social support whenever they are stressed. Men, on the other hand, want to make friends with co-workers that will benefit their careers. They also want to make friends to help them finish pending tasks or job duties whenever they arise. If you have friends at work, you feel happier and more supported which results in the improvement of your psychological state. You can always ask for help or advice, or just tell something that is bothering you. If you want to make friends at work but do not know how, find phone numbers or emails of people you work with. You can do it on Nuwber, BeenVerified, or AnyWho. Try to find their social media accounts and send them a nice message. Why Should You Not Make Friends With Your Co-Workers? Too many benefits lie in making friends at the workplace. However, you may also be doing more harm than good if you do not know how to handle being friends with people you work with. Here are some reasons why workplace friendship may not be good for you. 1. Fallout Can Be Unpleasant To be honest, if you prioritize socializing with your friends at the workplace over your office duties, your work process will suffer and may lead to unproductivity. You will make a smart move if you do not mix personal interests with office duties because when the friendship hits a rock, the outcome will be negative. What if you divulge career-related information to the wrong person? The outcome may be more terrible. It may take a toll on your emotional being and overall wellness. If you do not make friends with your co-workers, you will not have an emotional attachment to gossip at the workplace. You will not be concerned with unnecessary discussions or workplace politics. You can then focus better on assigned tasks. Do not forget that you can always enjoy your job even when you are not closely related to those you sit with within the cubicle. 2. Co-Workers Can Question Your Motives This is another reason why being friends with your colleagues is not worth it. In some cases, if you have a good rapport with your boss, co-workers may accuse you of being a favorite worker, especially if it is related to being promoted. This is why it is often better to remain neutral and not build strong friendships. Every step you take becomes suspicious and co-workers may use anything against you that may cost you your promotion, especially if you have gossiped about your boss in the past. 3. Jealousy May Set In There are chances that you will have one jealous person among your fellow employees. Take, for instance, if you are someone that loves nice wear. Others who have no taste in fashion may think you are trying to stand out. Even if this does not relate to the way you dress, jealous colleagues will not hesitate to hate you for anything when you are doing well. Conclusion Making friends with your colleagues can be good and at the same time something that should not be worth considering. In most cases, it is best to stay neutral. However, both decisions come with pros and cons. When you decide to think about whether to make friends at work or not, compare all the benefits with the drawbacks and make your choice. Additionals: Understanding How Employee Recognition Can Aid Your Consulting Firm Things to Consider When Sourcing Employees for Manufacturing Plants 5 ways employee perks can dramatically enhance your personal life