As consumers, we rely on a lot of things to fulfill our needs and wants like technological items such as cell phones and computers, or mechanical items such as vacuum cleaners and cars. Unfortunately, there is always the possibility that these items, and many more, will eventually break down and stop working. Never fear however, as Minnesota is ripe with Customer Service Representatives. In fact, there are over 60,000 people employed as Customer Service Representatives throughout the state, with a majority (73.2%) working in the 7-County Metro Area. These jobs are always in high demand, but during this COVID-19 pandemic, one realm of Customer Service Representatives were of even more critical importance – the representatives that helped individuals with their unemployment benefits.
Customer Service Representatives have a bright job outlook, meaning that the occupation is expected to grow rapidly in the years ahead. While we might think of Customer Service Representatives as simply someone we call and ask questions looking for answers, there is a lot more required of representatives. They also have to keep records of customer interactions, requiring high attention to detail, refer unresolved complaints to designated departments, require a good working knowledge of the organization for which they work, and can also be required to attempt to solicit sales of new or additional services and/or products. A successful Customer Service Representative will have strong interpersonal and communication skills, as well as skills in conflict resolution, decision-making, and problem sensitivity.
Customer Service Representatives are ranked 20th in DEED’s Occupations in Demand data, with median wages around $19.00 per hour. Half of Customer Service Representatives earn between $15.71 and $24.03 per hour. There are also promotional opportunities to move into a supervisory role at some point if that is the career path one chooses.
Demand for Customer Service Representatives is also evident based on DEED’s Job Vacancy data. As of the 4th Quarter of 2019, there were just over 2,900 job vacancies for Customer Service Representatives, which was by far the largest number of vacancies for an occupation falling under the Office and Administrative Support occupational group. However, the median wage offer for those vacancies rested at just $13.94.
One of the appealing characteristics of this occupation is that it is a great option for individuals who are looking for a part-time job. Of the job vacancies mentioned above, 41% of them were part-time in nature. This job is also ideal for people looking to earn a secondary income, as some jobs may be available for evening and weekend hours. And for those who choose not to pursue post-secondary education, this may be a great fit as a majority of these jobs require a high school diploma or less according to DEED’s Educational Requirements for Occupations data.
If you are interested in more information about opportunities as a Customer Service Representative, check out Jobs in Demand here on the CareerForceMN.com website for wage ranges, educational and training requirements, current open positions in Minnesota and more.
Need help developing your job search strategy, updating your resume or preparing for interviews? Contact staff at a CareerForce location near you!
