How to write a customer service CV: A step-by-step guide

In a sector that’s all about communication and problem-solving, your customer service CV is the first document to prove your skills in those areas. Unlike in some fields, you won’t necessarily be showcasing a vast list of academic qualifications or lengthy work history, but rather your adaptable skills and personable strengths.

How can your customer service CV stand out? It needs to be clear, concise, and straight to the point.

Your goal should be to highlight your vital customer service experience, skills, and achievements, and demonstrate an understanding of the company’s needs and values.

Discover how you can tailor each CV for customer service to the specific job you’re after, ensuring it never gets lost in the shuffle.

Customer service is far-reaching and you could be applying your skills in any number of diverse roles. Here are some common job titles:

• Customer service assistant
• Customer service representative
• Customer service advisor
• Call handler
• Brand ambassador
• Customer service manager
• Support specialist
• Technical support representative
• Client success manager

…and many more!

Within these roles, your daily tasks may include managing customer inquiries, troubleshooting issues, and ensuring a high level of customer satisfaction. Much of your day will be spent interacting with clients, both through direct conversations and written communication.

Each job will have its own set of requirements, so be sure to tailor your CV accordingly. Use the listed skills and experiences in this guide as a base, but adjust them to highlight the ones that are most relevant for the specific role you’re applying for.

Customer service CV examples

Suffering from the blank page syndrome? Wondering how to write a CV that will land you a job interview? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

A great way to start is to look at multiple examples of customer service CVs to see what speaks to you. Find below, three examples of CV for customer service, written in different styles and structures.

Customer service advisor CV

This customer service CV example is thoughtfully tailored for individuals embarking on their careers in a call centre environment. The CV highlights a progressive climb within customer service roles, showcasing the candidate’s dedication to the field, even with limited experience.

CV for customer service assistant

This customer service CV example is designed for an experienced candidate seeking to advance their career in customer service. With key roles already held as a Customer Service Advisor, the document outlines a proven track record of improving call handling efficiency, developing helpful guides, and achieving high customer satisfaction scores.

Customer success manager CV

This customer service CV example of a seasoned professional with extensive experience in the tech industry is tailored for a role as a Customer Success Manager. Their career narrative is built on exceptional customer service expertise, particularly within tech-centric environments, highlighting their adeptness at navigating the unique challenges of customer service in this field.

How to write a customer service CV – step-by-step guide

Building your customer service CV is an important step in your job search process. Keep reading to discover how to write a customer service professional CV that ensures your professional story is told effectively and will catch the eye of UK recruiters.

Step 1: Understand the job requirements

Before you put pen to paper or fingertips to keyboard, take some time to fully understand the job you’re applying for. What is the company looking for? Carefully read the job description for specifics on the qualifications, experience, and personal attributes they seek. Use these details to shape your customer service CV.

Research the role and industry expectations

Ensure you have a solid understanding of the day-to-day responsibilities and potential challenges. The more you know, the better you can tailor your customer service CV to the specific demands of the job.

identify key skills and qualifications

Highlight the customer service skills that are most commonly requested, which typically include excellent communication skills, problem-solving ability, patience, and a customer-centric approach.

Step 2: Figure out the right CV format and structure

Your CV for customer service should be as clear as it is well-structured, making it easy for the reader to find the important information quickly. Remember, first impressions count, so ensure your document looks professional and tidy.

Choose a professional customer service CV template

Select a template that fits the level of formality common in your field, and be consistent in its use throughout the document.

Organise the main sections: Contact information, Summary/Objective, Work experience, Education, Skills

The order of the sections can vary depending on your specific strengths and the job you’re applying for. However, ensure the contact information is at the top and the most important details are presented first.

Should you add a photo to your customer service CV?

In the UK, it’s typically not required or recommended to include a photograph on your customer service CV, as hiring decisions should be based on skills and experience rather than appearance. Including a photo can inadvertently open doors to bias, and therefore it’s best to focus on presenting your professional qualifications and accomplishments.

Step 3: Start with your personal information and contact details

This might seem simple, but it needs to be done right. Include:

• Your full name
• A professional email address
• A working phone number
• Relevant social media profiles (like LinkedIn), if they enhance your application

Customer service CV sample – contact information

Step 4: Write a personal statement

The purpose of the CV summary, profile or objective is to grab the recruiter’s attention and make a case for why you’re the best person for the job.

A generic statement won’t ever stand out in a stack of applications, so always tailor your summary to the job you’re applying for.

Additionally, use keywords from the job posting to ensure that your application gets through any potential ATS systems. This also allows you to connect more directly with the reader.

Customer service personal statement

Step 5: Describe your work experience

Your work experience will likely be the most substantial part of your customer service CV.

You will typically want to start with your most recent role and work backwards. Make sure company names, positions, and dates are clearly stated.

Instead of mere job functions, relate how you directly contributed to the company’s success and the customer’s happiness. Just listing job descriptions simply won’t cut it.

Whenever possible, use strong action verbs to make your experience sound more dynamic and engaging.

Customer service CV sample – work experience

Step 6: Highlight your education and certifications

The good news is that the “Education” section doesn’t have to be extensive on a customer service CV. What it should be, however, is relevant and genuine.

A word of caution: never fabricate or obscure any qualifications. It’s a small world, and industry contacts and references can easily verify qualifications.

Instead, make sure to highlight any professional development courses or customer service-specific training (live or online) you’ve undergone.

Customer service CV sample – education

Step 7: List your relevant skills

The skills section is where you’ll expand on your competence in multiple areas. When it comes to customer service, both technical skills and soft skills are equally important.

Think about what skills have served you well in previous roles, customer-service-related or not, and be honest about where you’re strongest.

Just like in the example below, use bullet points to keep your list concise and readable:

Here are some examples of key skills expected of UK customer service professionals:

• Communication skills: Articulate speaker and empathetic listener, excelling in both verbal and written communication.
• Problem-solving skills: Adept at resolving complex issues effectively by following customer service strategies and turning challenging situations into favourable outcomes.
• Teamwork and collaboration: Demonstrated ability to work cohesively with team members to achieve customer satisfaction goals.
• IT proficiency: Competent in CRM software tools such as Salesforce and Zendesk, alongside solid proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Adaptability: Quickly adjusts to new situations and processes, maintaining high-performance levels in dynamic work environments.
• Attention to detail: Diligently verifies information for accuracy and completeness to prevent errors and enhance service delivery.
• Patience: Maintains composure and customer focus while navigating slow resolution processes or dealing with difficult customers.
• Time management: Effective at managing time to handle high volumes of customer inquiries while maintaining quality service.

Customer service CV skills

Step 8: Additional sections (optional)

Depending on your experience and the job you’re applying for, you might want to include additional sections to highlight specific achievements or attributes.

Amongst the most popular sections included by customer service professionals figure:

• Awards and Achievements: To showcase any recognition received for exceptional customer service performance.
• Volunteer work: To display a commitment to community and strong interpersonal skills.
• Language proficiency: Especially useful in customer service roles that require bilingual or multilingual support.
• Training and Workshops: To highlight any extra training that specifically enhances customer service capabilities.
• Testimonials: Positive feedback from previous employers, co-workers, or customers that endorse your customer service skills.
• Professional memberships: Affiliation with professional bodies that reflect dedication to the customer service industry.

Write a cover letter to go with your customer service CV

Your cover letter is an opportunity to expand on your CV and tell your story. Use it as your canvas to explain why you want the job and what you can bring to it.

For many job seekers, crafting that perfect cover letter that complements your CV can be a daunting task. That’s where CVHelp’s cover letter builder comes in.

This intuitive tool guides you through the process of creating a personalized cover letter that accentuates your unique skills and experiences, matching the meticulousness of your customer service CV. Try it out and take the first step in making a remarkable impression.