Is consumer services a good career path? This is something a lot of students ask before starting off their first career. As it does not require any particular qualification, a lot of students who want early exposure to the industry do this job in their college years.
If you ask me, I genuinely think that consumer services are certainly a good career path. But the situation always depends on your preferences and your future goals.
So before finalizing your decision, you should have proper knowledge about what you are heading towards. You would not like a boring job, right?
Those who don’t know about what consumer service is, have you heard of customer service? Yes, it is the same thing.
Consumer services do not have a separate company. Companies have their consumer services department.
Amazon, for example, has its own separate consumer services where people are recruited to help the customers with their purchases or any inconvenience they might have after the purchase.
Some companies work on behalf of these bigger companies and provide them with consumer services.
Nope! Sitting and talking is not enough. The job might not be as easy as it seems. However, you will be given proper training before your real interactions with the customers.
That being said, let’s know more about it.
What is Consumer Service?
Consumer service is a work process through which all the needs of customers are taken care of. There are various types of it, like chat support or the usual call support.
Furthermore, if you are working in consumer service, you are supposed to interact with customers and listen to their needs or queries and provide them with the most suitable solutions.
No need to panic. In situations where you don’t know the answer or solution to the problem, you might have to ask your seniors. Therefore, you need to keep them on hold.
Yes, you need to be a little bit patient. I know we are the ones who behave pretty rudely with these people because of the problems we suffer from. But consumer service people have nothing to do with the problem.
They are actually a medium between the customer and the company they have purchased something from.
Is it a good job? Well, I think it is a pretty good job. Not just because of the money but the exposure it gives you.
If you are working in a company that is working with several clients, you have better chances of desirable exposure, and you might end up in a more high-paying job.
But don’t let your expectations fly too high. If you are a teenager, you might not get a high paid position. You need experience and good performance history to climb the ladder and end up in a valuable position.
I will suggest that before walking into the interview, you practice your communication skills a little bit.
I have already told you that no specific education is required. A high school diploma is enough. If you have gotten more, it’s a good thing!
Remember, consumer services hire those people who are good at communicating. If you know how to initiate a conversation and solve problems, you are perfect.
I know you are an introvert and don’t like to talk much. But professional talking is a bit different. You might feel shy for a week, but slowly you will gain confidence and will be able to handle the same pretty smoothly.
Moreover, if you want to avoid talking anyways, you can always switch to the chat process.
Consumer Services – Every Aspect
Okay, so I hope that you have understood what consumer services are all about. But there are still a lot of things to know about it. Therefore, I’m going to provide you with each needed detail about how the entire process works and what your role would be as a fresher.
Suppose, there is a company that works with several companies like Apple, Amazon, Walmart, Dyson, etc. Now, your company provides customer and consumer services on their behalf.
It generally happens to international or global companies. If you are living in Korea and you have purchased something from Amazon, which is basically an American company, it wouldn’t be possible for you to contact them.
Yes, you can send them an email, but it also wouldn’t be possible for them to reply. And even if they do, it might take too much time.
So, they either establish their own services to that particular country or take the help of other ones.
If you are planning to join as a fresher, your role would be to reply to these emails or calls or any kind of chat request.
Your role would be divided according to the process. If you are good at phone conversations, you can choose the call option.
If you are more comfortable in chat, you can opt for that. Your salary will always depend on the company you are working for.
If it is a big, reputed company, the chances of being well-paid are higher. Moreover, the chances of promotions are also good.
You might start your journey at $30,000, which may reach up to $46-50,000. If you want to become a manager, then you might have to acquire some good experience and a degree.
You can ask your company about the same. If you are just doing it to earn and pursue your actual career, there is no need to focus on being a manager.
But this is what you want to do; then you keep on upgrading yourself.
It might happen that they will not tell you directly to upgrade yourself, but you have to. Otherwise, you might be replaced by someone.
These companies hire students or working professionals on a larger scale, and if you don’t upgrade according to their requirements, you might be replaced.
No need to be afraid. Just learn what they teach you, and you are good to go.
Is it a Good Career Path?
Yes, it is. But again, if you are one of those students who want to build a career based on their education, you might have to change your decision. Consumer services have nothing to do with your education or degree.
You just learn things there which you perform at the later stages. So, people who don’t have a particular niche choose these jobs.
Moreover, if you are running short of money and want to spend your extra time on something, this is a good option.
I’m not saying that dumb people end up in these kinds of jobs. They are pretty talented and intelligent.
Handling thousands of customers of various clients is not an easy job. So, if you are not sure what career path you should choose, you can definitely start with this.
You will get early exposure to the market and will be able to know how the entire system actually works.
I have seen many people entering this industry just to explore things or because of money but end up liking their job and excelling in their careers.
I know you are more concerned about how well they pay their employees. The process works just like any other company.
If you are a fresher, you will start with a minimal salary. If you are an experienced candidate, they will pay you based on your previous experience and performance.
If you have an MBA degree, there are chances that you will end up in a higher position, like a manager or something. Not all companies require a marketing degree but in case.
As of now, I have only told you the good things about the job. There are also some shortcomings that come along with it, and you should be aware of that.
Things You Should be Prepared For
Though this job is pretty convenient and ideal for freshers. There are certain things that might disturb them at first.
So, it is better if they are aware of them beforehand. I have already told you that these jobs include client communications, meetings, and handling customers.
So, sometimes it gets hectic or overwhelming. You know, though we always separate our professional or personal affairs, both are actually dependent on each other.
There will be days when you will feel like not talking to anyone. But this is your work, and you have to do it no matter what.
Days like these come irrespective of your career. Moreover, handling customers is not an easy job. There are different kinds of people. Some are able to make you understand their problems, and some are not.
So, it is also your job to understand what they actually mean and provide them with the answers they want to hear. Moreover, you just cannot lose your cool.
I know there are consumers who do not behave well, but you need to handle the situation calmly.
In addition, the opportunity of taking leaves might be lesser, and sometimes the workload is more, so you need to prepare for such situations.
What Qualifications Needed?
Usually, a high school diploma is enough to apply for this job. But some companies require some specific qualifications. So, it is better to check what the market demands.
I have people with master’s degrees applying to these jobs. So, there are no specific criteria.
Moreover, some companies like to hire teenagers because of their unique working styles and the energy and enthusiasm they bring with them.
You will hardly find any older people working here. Yes, the scene might change if it’s a higher position, but in most cases, these jobs need energetic people who can execute things faster.
The best way to find the requirements is just to visit the official website or the hiring post of the company.
If you are still confused, just call them. Who knows, you might end up scheduling an interview with them.
Some companies also take exams, but those are very few in number. Remember, good English, good communication skills, the ability to meet deadlines, and patience are all you need. It is not needed for these kinds of jobs only but for any kind of career.
Is it a High Paying Job?
Whenever you ask someone, is consumer services a good career path? The answer is Yes, it is.
But only if you choose the right company. It always depends on the company and its turnover when it comes to how much it will be paying its employees.
If you are working for a start-up company, the pay scale might be average or below average.
But if you manage to secure a job in a reputed company, there are higher chances of being well-paid.
The yearly increments are there. Some also provide performance bonuses, and if you get promoted, then it’s all good and smooth. Managers usually get $90,000 and a director $120,000.
Being greedy? It’s good sometimes.
How to Get Started?
So, I think I was able to answer your question: is consumer services a good career path? It depends on your position and the company.
Now, if you have made up your mind about joining the industry, you need to get started now!
But how? I’m here to help you. All you need to do is just open your LinkedIn app and see whether any company is currently hiring.
If you are willing to relocate, then things might become easier for you. This way, you would be able to make yourself vulnerable to thousands of more opportunities.
Start applying. You need to spend a considerable amount of time on LinkedIn. Soon, you will be asked to appear for interviews, and if you can crack the interview, you are welcome.
If possible, try practicing communication skills through YouTube. It will help you a lot.
Wrapping Up
So, have you made up your mind? What do you think? Is consumer services a good career path for you?
Listen, I know, you are confused. The best way to get out of that confusion is just to try it. Once you experience it, everything will be crystal clear, and it might make you more confident about your next destination.
You need to start somewhere to become unstoppable. Isn’t it? Even the most popular anchors have started somewhere. Now, It’s your turn.
