43-4051.00 Bright OutlookApprenticeship

Customer Service Representatives

Interact with customers to provide basic or scripted information in response to routine inquiries about products and services. May handle and resolve general complaints. Excludes individuals whose duties are primarily installation, sales, repair, and technical support.

Career Cluster:Marketing & Sales
Job Family:Office and Administrative Support
Job Zone:Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Industry:Administrative and Support Services
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Technology Tools

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Key Tasks

  • Confer with customers by telephone or in person to provide information about products or services, take or enter orders, cancel accounts, or obtain details of complaints.
  • Keep records of customer interactions or transactions, recording details of inquiries, complaints, or comments, as well as actions taken.
  • Check to ensure that appropriate changes were made to resolve customers' problems.
  • Contact customers to respond to inquiries or to notify them of claim investigation results or any planned adjustments.
  • Determine charges for services requested, collect deposits or payments, or arrange for billing.
  • Resolve customers' service or billing complaints by performing activities such as exchanging merchandise, refunding money, or adjusting bills.
  • Complete contract forms, prepare change of address records, or issue service discontinuance orders, using computers.
  • Refer unresolved customer grievances to designated departments for further investigation.
  • Review insurance policy terms to determine whether a particular loss is covered by insurance.
  • Solicit sales of new or additional services or products.
  • Compare disputed merchandise with original requisitions and information from invoices and prepare invoices for returned goods.
  • Obtain and examine all relevant information to assess validity of complaints and to determine possible causes, such as extreme weather conditions that could increase utility bills.
  • Recommend improvements in products, packaging, shipping, service, or billing methods and procedures to prevent future problems.

Skills

Active Listening
75%
Service Orientation
75%
Speaking
72%
Reading Comprehension
60%
Critical Thinking
56%
Time Management
53%
Complex Problem Solving
53%
Negotiation
50%
Persuasion
50%
Social Perceptiveness
50%
Writing
50%
Monitoring
50%
Coordination
47%
Active Learning
47%
Judgment and Decision Making
47%
Instructing
44%
Learning Strategies
41%
Management of Personnel Resources
35%
Mathematics
31%
Systems Analysis
31%
Systems Evaluation
31%
Technology Design
22%
Operations Monitoring
19%
Operations Analysis
16%
Programming
13%
Management of Material Resources
10%
Management of Financial Resources
10%
Quality Control Analysis
3%
Repairing
0%
Science
0%
Operation and Control
0%
Troubleshooting
0%
Installation
0%
Equipment Selection
0%
Equipment Maintenance
0%

Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service
93%
English Language
73%
Administration and Management
63%
Sales and Marketing
61%
Mathematics
59%
Administrative
57%
Computers and Electronics
57%
Economics and Accounting
48%
Public Safety and Security
46%
Education and Training
39%
Personnel and Human Resources
37%
Telecommunications
35%
Psychology
31%
Communications and Media
28%
Transportation
28%
Law and Government
25%
Production and Processing
25%
Sociology and Anthropology
19%
Medicine and Dentistry
17%
Geography
16%
Engineering and Technology
15%
Therapy and Counseling
15%
Philosophy and Theology
11%
Foreign Language
11%
Mechanical
9%
Building and Construction
8%
Chemistry
8%
Design
7%
Physics
7%
Biology
6%
Food Production
4%
History and Archeology
2%
Fine Arts
2%

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Abilities

Oral Expression
78%
Oral Comprehension
78%
Speech Clarity
75%
Speech Recognition
75%
Problem Sensitivity
72%
Near Vision
66%
Written Expression
66%
Written Comprehension
60%
Deductive Reasoning
56%
Inductive Reasoning
53%
Information Ordering
53%
Selective Attention
47%
Category Flexibility
44%
Fluency of Ideas
44%
Mathematical Reasoning
44%
Flexibility of Closure
44%
Originality
44%
Memorization
38%
Perceptual Speed
35%
Finger Dexterity
35%
Speed of Closure
35%
Number Facility
35%
Auditory Attention
31%
Far Vision
31%
Time Sharing
31%
Visualization
28%
Hearing Sensitivity
25%
Arm-Hand Steadiness
25%
Manual Dexterity
25%
Visual Color Discrimination
25%
Control Precision
22%
Wrist-Finger Speed
13%
Extent Flexibility
10%
Static Strength
10%
Dynamic Strength
10%
Trunk Strength
10%
Stamina
6%
Depth Perception
6%
Explosive Strength
6%
Multilimb Coordination
6%
Gross Body Coordination
6%
Gross Body Equilibrium
3%
Reaction Time
0%
Night Vision
0%
Sound Localization
0%
Peripheral Vision
0%
Spatial Orientation
0%
Speed of Limb Movement
0%
Glare Sensitivity
0%
Rate Control
0%
Dynamic Flexibility
0%
Response Orientation
0%

Work Activities

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
90%
Working with Computers
89%
Communicating with People Outside the Organization
88%
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
84%
Processing Information
83%
Getting Information
80%
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
79%
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
76%
Training and Teaching Others
76%
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
75%
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
75%
Performing Administrative Activities
74%
Documenting/Recording Information
73%
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
72%
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
70%
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
67%
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
66%
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
66%
Analyzing Data or Information
62%
Scheduling Work and Activities
56%
Developing and Building Teams
53%
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
52%
Thinking Creatively
49%
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
49%
Developing Objectives and Strategies
45%
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
45%
Coaching and Developing Others
44%
Selling or Influencing Others
44%
Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
43%
Handling and Moving Objects
42%
Monitoring and Controlling Resources
42%
Performing General Physical Activities
39%
Staffing Organizational Units
39%
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
37%
Assisting and Caring for Others
36%
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
34%
Controlling Machines and Processes
32%
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
23%
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
21%
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
18%
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
12%

Work Context

Telephone Conversations

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

100%

Contact With Others

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

96%

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?

96%

Deal With External Customers or the Public in General

How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?

95%

Time Pressure

How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?

89%

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

88%

Importance of Repeating Same Tasks

How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?

86%

E-Mail

How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?

83%

Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People

How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?

80%

Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions

How much does this job require making repetitive motions?

80%

Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?

76%

Spend Time Sitting

How much does this job require sitting?

75%

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?

75%

Frequency of Decision Making

How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

72%

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results

What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?

72%

Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities

How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?

65%

Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?

65%

Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals

How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?

59%

Conflict Situations

How frequently are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?

58%

Physical Proximity

To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?

56%

Spend Time Standing

How much does this job require standing?

56%

Freedom to Make Decisions

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

51%

Duration of Typical Work Week

Number of hours typically worked in one week.

50%

Level of Competition

To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?

48%

Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers

How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?

48%

Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable

How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?

41%

Written Letters and Memos

How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?

39%

Health and Safety of Other Workers

How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?

34%

Degree of Automation

How automated is the job?

32%

Consequence of Error

How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?

29%

Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body

How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?

28%

Spend Time Walking or Running

How much does this job require walking or running?

24%

Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People

How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?

18%

Exposed to Disease or Infections

How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?

17%

Public Speaking

How frequently does your job require public speaking (one speaker with an audience)?

16%

Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling

How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?

13%

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?

12%

Exposed to Contaminants

How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?

11%

Exposed to High Places

How often does this job require exposure to high places?

11%

Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment

How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)

10%

Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings

How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?

7%

Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions

How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?

7%

Exposed to Hazardous Conditions

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?

6%

Work Schedules

How regular are the work schedules for this job?

6%

Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures

How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?

5%

Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?

5%

Exposed to Hazardous Equipment

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?

4%

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment

How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?

4%

Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions

How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?

3%

In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment

How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or operating equipment (like a tractor)?

3%

Outdoors, Under Cover

How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?

3%

Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance

How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?

3%

Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions

How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?

2%

Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles

How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?

2%

Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection

How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?

2%

Exposed to Whole Body Vibration

How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (like operating a jackhammer or earth moving equipment)?

1%

Exposed to Radiation

How often does this job require exposure to radiation?

0%

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

55%

Some college, no degree

17%

Associate's degree

14%

Interests

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or hum

86

Enterprising

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertis

69

Social

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

47

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, t

18

Investigative

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the f

10

Artistic

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts,

0

Work Styles

Dependability
80%
Self-Control
79%
Cooperation
78%
Social Orientation
75%
Empathy
71%
Optimism
69%
Attention to Detail
62%
Stress Tolerance
60%
Integrity
57%
Sincerity
53%
Perseverance
45%
Humility
42%
Adaptability
38%
Self-Confidence
35%
Achievement Orientation
27%
Cautiousness
26%
Initiative
18%
Tolerance for Ambiguity
9%

Work Values

Relationships
83%
Support
56%
Independence
45%
Achievement
33%
Recognition
33%
Working Conditions
31%

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