Customer service is an important role within a company, and if you want to further your customer service career, you need to know how to position yourself as the best candidate when interviewing. Before you enter that first interview, you should have some idea of who you are as a candidate and what you bring to the table.
Here are some techniques you can use to sell yourself as the ideal customer service candidate in an interview.
- Define the ideal candidate. Put yourself in the shoes of the hiring manager. Review the job description and write out the skills and abilities the ideal candidate should have for this job. For example, they may say certain skills are preferred, which probably means they would hire someone with that experience over someone else. This would be an ideal candidate.
- Determine how you are ideal. What skills do you bring to the table? What additional experience can you offer? You must be able to effectively communicate how you are the ideal candidate for the company.
- Fit your accomplishments into the requirements. If they are looking for someone to lead their customer service team, tell them about how your experience as a team lead led to your previous company saving a certain amount of money. Or, if customer satisfaction is a primary concern, discuss how you were rewarded for exceptional customer service 10 times in one year, more than the average employee was recognized.
- Determine your story. Storytelling connects the listener to the speaker. You can use this technique to your advantage in an interview. When talking about your experience or accomplishments, discuss them in a story form. Tell them about specific times when you’ve gone above and beyond your employer’s expectations. Keep them engaged in the story.
- Create an online presence. Of course, another great way to ensure that you are the ideal candidate is to position yourself as an expert in the field of customer service. Create a website and a blog where you can share your experiences and tips. Promote blog posts on social media, especially LinkedIn.
Are you looking for a customer service position in Southeast Michigan? Harvard Resource Solutions is now hiring for customer service jobs in Troy, MI, so call us today!