If you have decided that working in a call center is the
right career path for you, you should realize that you are
not alone. The U.S. Department of Labor reported in 2006
that more than 385,000 workers across America find
employment in call centers. How can you stand out from the
crowd and secure the job of your choosing?
The first step of landing your dream job is to build a
great customer service resume. A well-written resume is a
golden ticket to an interview. It forms a favorable
impression of you in the minds of your future employers
before you ever meet face-to-face. Resume writing is not
rocket science, but surprisingly few spend the time or
energy to make their resumes stand out. Sadly, many
otherwise young and bright individuals fall into traps that
lead straight to the rejection pile. The following pointers
will guide you around these pitfalls and into the
employer’s office.
As you draw up an outline of your work history, look for
the skills you have acquired that relate to your desired
position. In the meantime, research the companies you
intend to interview for. (Most companies have a website you
can visit for basic information, and some have pamphlets in
their reception offices. It is also a good idea to
familiarize yourself with the products and services offered
by the company.) You will want to tailor your resume to
highlight your skills relative to the job requirements of
your desired position.
As you detail your past performance in the Work History
section of your resume, resist the temptation to exaggerate
or lie. A customer service employee is one of trust. Even
if you score an interview using a dishonest resume, you
will surely be revealed when talking to experts. Do not
omit on your resume jobs you have held but which did not
work out ideally, as these will likely show up if the
employer runs a background check on you. At the very least
this will raise questions about your background. At most,
you can be fired for withholding the information after you
are hired.
After you have written up your resume, it is essential to
go back over it with a black marker. Eliminate all the
fluff and busy words. On average, a recruiter will spend
ten seconds or less looking at your resume. It should be no
longer than one page. Keep your information concise and to
the point. From arm’s length it should look neat,
with a balance between space and text. Process your resume
on a computer, laser printed on good quality white paper.
(Resist the urge to fancy it up!) Ask someone who is
detail-oriented to go over the document, checking your
spelling and grammar. Read it aloud once just paying
attention to the verb tense, and make sure it is consistent
throughout. Make an inspection at close range, watching for
consistent punctuation and capitalization. Finally, use a
basic font between size 10-12, and use italics instead of
quotation marks.
Last of all, create a cover letter introducing yourself and
your resume. In the letter, point out what qualifies you
for the job opening and give your contact information. Keep
the letter to no more than two paragraphs. Deliver the
letter and resume in person, if at all possible,
remembering to look the part even on this small errand.
Your attention to every small detail will pay off on this
path to landing the job!
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Rob Daniels comments on Call Centers at Call Center Depot
http://www.call-center-depot.com and develops content for
Call Center Tools http://www.call-center-tools.com
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