If you want to build a perfect career, consider one of these best paying jobs in the consumer services sector. This industry encompasses jobs that deal with everything related to consumers. Here is everything you need to know about working in this sector.
The consumer services sector is growing rapidly and poised for even more explosive growth in the future. Jobs in this field offer excellent pay and benefits, as well as a variety of opportunities for growth and advancement.
A career in consumer services can involve various roles and responsibilities, such as customer service, marketing, or sales. These professionals are responsible for providing high-quality customer service by addressing customers' needs across various channels.
Your competitiveness in this industry will largely depend on your interpersonal skills and ability to multitask. You should also be able to think critically and solve problems quickly when confronted with challenging situations.
In this post, we'll explore different consumer services jobs in detail and reveal all the requirements and skills needed to work in this field. So whether you're new to the idea of working in consumer services or you're already considering a career change, read on to learn everything you need to know.
Table of Contents
What is the Consumer Services Industry?
What is the consumer services sector, you ask? It's a field that encompasses various jobs that directly deal with customers. Workers in this sector offer consumer services support, answer questions, handle customer complaints, and process orders, among other services. Some of the best jobs in this sector include cashier, hedge fund manager, telemarketer, loan officer, or salesperson.
Requirements and Skills You Need to Work In Consumer Services
To work in the consumer services sector, you must have excellent customer service skills. Some of the outstanding customer service skills are:
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Empathy
- Patience
- Adaptability
- Self-control
- persuading skills
- Ability to stay calm in pressing moments
- Positive attitude
- strong problem-solving skills
- Ability to work long hours
- Being flexible with your schedule
- And the ability to provide excellent customer relations service.
Possessing these skills can land you a lucrative customer service job. Whether you want to become a customer service manager, call center employee, or business manager – customer service skills are essential. With that, you'll be able to address all the customers' issues efficiently and promptly.
See Related: Best Service Business Examples: Make Money Providing your Skills
7 Best Paying Jobs in Consumer Services
Here are some of the best consumer service Jobs:
1. Technical Support Representative
Offering technical support is one of the best-paying jobs in consumer services. According to builtin, the average annual pay of technical support staff in the US is $75,846.
This is one of the customer service representatives positions that require a high level of education. To work as a technical support representative, you must have a computer and software engineering master's, bachelor's, or associate degree. A small percentage have been hired even with a high-school diploma.
Technical support representatives help troubleshoot and resolve computer hardware and software-related issues. Also, they provide field support chat, calls, emails, and other communication on user inquiries regarding software programming and connectivity.
Technical support also collaborates with other employees to find and resolve computer issues. Finally, technical support is also responsible for maintaining technology trends and innovation.
If you have in-depth knowledge of computers and excellent customer service skills, consider a career as a technical support staff. It's a well-paying career worth pursuing.
2. Flight Attendant
If you're looking for a career in customer service that offers excellent pay and challenging work, a flight attendant may be the perfect field. In fact, according to The World Bank, flight attendants can earn up to $40,000 annually.
As front-line customer service representatives, flight attendants are responsible for providing a smooth journey experience to all passengers. That's because flight attendants conduct safety checks before flights. Also, they guide and help passengers find their seats and even offer help to special needs passengers. Additionally, they take and handle passenger drinks and food orders.
One crucial element of flight attendants is that they must be able to handle difficult situations calmly and efficiently, whether it is dealing with disruptive passengers or an emergency. They are critical in providing comfort to passengers on board an airplane.
3. Front Desk Clerk
This is another of the best-paying jobs in consumer services. It can be found in call centers or retail locations such as department stores or supermarkets.
The front desk officer is a job that is in high demand and offers excellent pay and benefits. The average salary for a front desk clerk ranges from $18-$28 per hour.
Front desk clerks are often required to remain calm under pressure and possess a lot of patience โ all qualities that make them perfect for this career field. Their work is to do administrative and clerical tasks in organizations and stores.
One of their primary roles is to greet and help customers navigate through the store or office. They may also offer refreshments to customers as they wait at the reception area.
The front desk clerks or receptionists also answer all incoming calls and take and relay messages as required to their bosses and other employees. In some organizations, the front desk clerks are also responsible for distributing incoming and outgoing mail. This is an entry-level career position worth pursuing.
4. Retail Customer Support
Retail customer service is one of the most important jobs in any industry. The job of a retail customer service representative encompasses dealing with customers who have issues with products or services they have bought. This can be difficult, but customer reps need to be able to handle difficult situations calmly and effectively.
It's also important that customer service representatives are knowledgeable about the products they're selling and know how best to help customers use them. They need to be able to take calls from anyone at any time and deal with complaints swiftly and efficiently so that the customer experience isn't hindered in any way. The retail customer support staff also take orders and process returns.
The education level required to work in retail customer support is a high-school diploma or a college degree in marketing or equivalent. It is an excellent job for anyone that wants to build a career in the retail industry.
5. Teller
A teller may be the perfect career if you're looking for an exciting, high-energy job with a lot of flexibility and customer service skills. Tellers work in a financial institution, and their role is to help customers complete day-to-day financial and account transactions, including deposits and withdrawals.
Also, they help manage customers' financial records and reports. Plus, they resolve customer complaints.
While working in financial companies can be demanding at times, there are numerous advantages to working there. For one thing, the hours are typically quite flexible – meaning that you can take care of your personal life and still manage to get your job done.
Furthermore, being part of a team is hugely rewarding – helping customers with their finances or solving complex issues regarding their transactions.
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6. Online Chat Support Agent
Online chat support is one of the best ways to provide customer service. As a team player, you will need excellent problem-solving abilities and the ability to empathize with customers. There are currently many opportunities available in this growing field. And with good communication skills, you can be successful.
The role of an online chat support agent is to respond to customer inquiries through live chats and troubleshoot technical issues quickly. To work as an online chat agent, you need to be able to engage with customers proactively, promptly identify their pain points, ask direct relevant questions, and set ideal expectations.
Live chat agent salaries range between $2990 and $3517, according to Glassdoor. This perfect online side hustle can help you make good money remotely.
7. Concierge/ Guest Relations Manager
If you want to be in a job with good pay and excellent career prospects, then it might be best to consider becoming a Concierge. According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for a concierge in the US is $15.76 per hour.
Many jobs are available, so finding the right one should not be difficult. And if you have the right qualifications and experience, your chances of landing the position increase.
The qualification for most of these jobs is a high school diploma. But there are those companies that require you to have a college degree.
The role of a concierge is basically to do everything to keep guests happy. It can include services such as:
- Greeting and receiving customers and guests,
- Running errands for guests,
- Taking the guests' messages,
- Making dinner and events reservations for the guests,
- Managing guests' complaints,
- Scheduling their appointments,
- Managing their luggage and mail deliveries,
- Arranging excursions and transportation upon guest request.
This is one of the entry-level positions in the lodging and hospitality industry. If you want to start a career as a concierge, go for a hospitality assistant diploma. Over time, advance your education by pursuing a college degree in hospitality, hotel, or restaurant management. This way, you'll get an opportunity to quickly climb the career ladder in this industry.
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Where to Find the Best Paying Jobs in Consumer Services
Consider where your skills and talents lie when looking for the best-paying jobs. Check out online job postings and search for positions that match your interests and qualifications. Remember to apply confidently- many top employers are searching for talented and motivated individuals!
Here are some of the platforms where to find jobs:
FlexJobs
FlexJobs is certainly one of the best places to visit when looking for a job. With the platform posting multiple jobs in over 50 career options, you have a better chance to find your preferred service job here than on most other platforms.
The best thing about FlexJobs is that it offers a wide selection of jobs from all categories. Whether you are looking for a part-time, full-time, remote, or freelance job, it has you covered. Join FlexJobs today and discover just how easy it is to find consumer service jobs.
Glassdoor
If you're looking for consumer services jobs, Glassdoor is an excellent resource. It can help you research which jobs best suit you and offer insights into salaries, benefits, work culture, etc.
This American website allows current and former employees to review companies they work for or have worked in consecutively. Started in 2008, Glassdoor is based in San Francisco, California, and is one of the fastest-growing jobs and recruiting sites.
Glassdoor also has helped millions worldwide find suitable career opportunities across industries, including customer service positions. So if consumer services are your thing, it's worth checking out.
ZipRecruiter
ZipRecruiter is another employment marketplace that can help you land a job in the consumer service sector. The best part is that anyone with an internet connection can apply for a position on ZipRecruiter.
Based in Santa Monica, California, Zip Recruiter is a marketplace that helps match job seekers and employers. This is a perfect place to find a job in the consumer service industry.
Indeed
Indeed is an online job website that offers a comprehensive and up-to-date database of job opportunities in the consumer services industry. The site has information on job prospects and salaries and insights into the various customer service jobs available.
Indeed was launched in November 2004 by Paul Forster and Rony Kahan. Indeed helps job seekers from all corners of the world find their ideal job opportunity.
Other Freelance websites to find online opportunities in the consumer services field include:
- Fiverr
- Freelancer
- SolidGigs
- Guru
- Upwork
See Related: Upwork Alternatives for freelancers and businesses
Is Consumer Services a Good Career Path?
There are many excellent and high-paying jobs in the consumer services industry, and that's why it's a perfect choice for someone looking for a stable job. While it may not be as lucrative as some other industries, the pay and benefits are worth it.
This is your ideal career path if you're interested in working with people. The field is growing quickly, and there are always opportunities to learn and grow within the profession. So whatever your career goals may be, the consumer services industry is an excellent place to start.
There are many different types of jobs available in the consumer services industry, so be sure to research what kind of service you would like to offer. If you have the skills and qualifications, the consumer services industry is definitely for you!
See Related: Is Consumer Services a Good Career Path
FAQ
How challenging is it being a customer service representative?
This depends on the business where you're working as a customer rep. The types of customers and challenges they face differ. Some businesses may be more challenging and handling customers in such jobs is pretty hard, while others are not as hard. For example, working with patients in a hospital has different challenges than working as a call center agent.
What's the next career option after customer service?
Customer service is a good job with a clear growth path. After working as a customer service representative, you can pursue a more technical role, become a service or product expert, or select a higher leadership position like a customer service manager.
Can you make good cash in customer service?
Yes! Customer service representatives are one of the highest paid. The average salary of a customer support manager is around $55,000. This is a relatively good and decent income.