Customer Service Representatives
Did You Know:*
- Customer service representatives held about 2.3 million jobs in 2008, ranking among the largest occupations.
- Most companies require a high school diploma and will provide job training.
- Employment is projected to grow faster than average, and job prospects should be good.
Industry Areas
- Business Support Services
- Insurance Carriers
- Depository Credit Intermediation
Day-to-Day 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.
Overall Kind of Work*
Customer service representatives provide a valuable link between customers and the companies who produce the products they buy and the services they use. They are responsible for responding to cus...
Work Environment*
Civilian
Although customer service representatives work in a variety of settings, most work in areas that are clean and well lit. Those who work in call centers generally have their own workstations or cub...
Workweek Breakdown
The hours worked per week by people currently pursuing this career.
- 8.15% (0-20 Hours)
- 13.33% (21-34 Hours)
- 8.11% (35-39 Hours)
- 62.84% (40 Hours)
- 3.33% (41-49 Hours)
- 4.24% (Over 50 Hours)
This data also pertains to Customer service representatives (43-4051)
Type of Work
The level of day-to-day involvement with data, people or things.
Data: 
People: 
Things: 
Skills at a Glance
The levels of different skills helpful in this career.
Verbal skills:
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving:
Equipment Operation & Maintenance:
Math & Science Skills:
Technology Design & Control:
Leadership:
Workplace at a Glance
The level of different environmental factors you would experience on the job.
Responsibility:
Exposure to Job Hazards:
Physical Activity:
Decision Making:
Repetitiveness:
Level of Competition:
Time Pressure:
Business Breakdown
The different sectors people in this career currently work in.
- 90.23% (Private For-Profit)
- 3.32% (Private Not For-Profit)
- 3.54% (State and Local Govt)
- 1.76% (Federal Government)
- 1.14% (Self-Employed)