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Customer Support · Entry level

Customer Service Representative job description

A Customer Service Representative is the front-line person who interacts with customers in real time and resolves their needs. On calls, chat or at a counter, they answer questions, complete requests, handle complaints, and aim to solve the issue at first contact. They represent the company to the customer. A good Customer Service Representative resolves customer needs quickly and correctly, communicates clearly and courteously, follows the process and compliance rules, records interactions accurately, and keeps customers satisfied while meeting their quality and resolution targets.

DetailFor this role
DepartmentCustomer Support
LevelEntry level
Reports toCustomer Service Manager
Direct reportsNone
ExperienceFresher or up to 2 years in customer service

Customer Service Representative job description template

Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.

Job title: Customer Service Representative

Department: Customer Support

Reports to: Customer Service Manager

Location: [City], [office, branch or site]

About the role

A Customer Service Representative is the front-line person who interacts with customers in real time and resolves their needs. On calls, chat or at a counter, they answer questions, complete requests, handle complaints, and aim to solve the issue at first contact. They represent the company to the customer. A good Customer Service Representative resolves customer needs quickly and correctly, communicates clearly and courteously, follows the process and compliance rules, records interactions accurately, and keeps customers satisfied while meeting their quality and resolution targets.

Key responsibilities

  • Interact with customers in real time on calls, chat or at the counter.
  • Answer questions and complete requests to resolve the customer's need.
  • Handle complaints and work towards first-contact resolution where possible.
  • Follow the process, script and compliance rules on every interaction.
  • Record each interaction and its outcome accurately in the system.
  • Escalate issues that need a specialist or higher authority correctly.
  • Keep product and process knowledge current to answer accurately.
  • Communicate clearly and courteously with every customer on every contact.
  • Meet quality, resolution and productivity targets for the role.
  • Share recurring customer issues with the team leader for fixes.

Requirements

  • Class 12 pass or a graduate
  • Clear and courteous communication
  • Basic computer skills
  • Fresher or up to 2 years in customer service

KRAs and KPIs for a Customer Service Representative

Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.

Key result areaHow to measure it
ResolutionFirst-contact resolution at or above the target
QualityQuality scores on audited interactions above the target
SatisfactionCustomer satisfaction on interactions above the target
ProductivityInteractions handled per shift at or above the standard
AccuracyInteraction records logged accurately for every contact

Skills and tools

Customer interactionCommunicationFirst-contact resolutionComplaint handlingSystem entryProduct knowledgeComposureActive listening

Tools used day to day: CRM, Telephony, Live chat platform, Knowledge base, MS Office basics.

Reporting line and career path

Customer ServiceManagerCustomer ServiceRepresentative

Interview questions for a Customer Service Representative

  1. How do you resolve a customer's need at first contact?
  2. How do you handle a complaint at the front line?
  3. How do you stay courteous with a difficult customer?
  4. What do you do when you cannot resolve an issue yourself?
  5. How do you keep your interaction records accurate?

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Frequently asked questions

What does a Customer Service Representative do?

A Customer Service Representative is the front-line person who interacts with customers in real time. On calls, chat or at a counter, they answer questions, complete requests, handle complaints, and aim to resolve the issue at first contact. They follow the process and compliance rules, record interactions accurately, and keep customers satisfied while meeting their targets.

What is the difference between a Customer Service Representative and Associate?

A Customer Service Representative focuses on real-time front-line interaction, resolving customer contacts as they come. A Customer Service Associate often focuses on processing service requests and completing actions, mixing front-line and back-office work. Titles vary by company, but the representative leans towards live interaction and the associate towards request processing.

Is Customer Service Representative a good career start?

Yes, it is a common and useful first job. It builds communication, patience and process discipline, and pays from day one. Freshers can join with a class 12 pass or a degree and clear speech. Strong representatives move up to senior executive, team leader, quality or training roles within a few years.