Three Winning Traits for Customer Service Pros

Posted by in Customer Service


Corporate meetings can offer a pleasant escape from the monotony of the office to exotic, exciting places. While organizations expect to get something accomplished, many participants endure the long meetings inside windowless conference rooms while their minds are out on the beach, on the ski slopes or in the casino.

 

Now, take that corporate meeting and put it on a cruise ship and you’ve got the formula for excitement, adventure and fun. You can start your meetings in the morning in one exotic location and be in another by the end of the last afternoon meeting. Rest breaks and lunch take on a new meaning when the scenery outside changes by the second. PowerPoint presentations pale next to an ocean sunrise or sunset. 

 

Joyce Landry and Josephine King have been taking corporate meetings to the high seas for the past 30 years. In a recent article in Forbes, "Thee Keys to a Winning Service Attitude in the Service Industry," George Bradt shared three key attitudes that have made them successful. One of the keys is an “elegantly flexible culture.” While the other two are important, Bradt asserts that culture is the only sustainable competitive advantage.

 

He goes on to state that what gives Landry and King this competitive advantage is their passion, experience and confidence. For a job seeker looking to make a career in hospitality or customer service, these three traits could give a competitive advantage over other applicants. Experience is the only one of the three defined on a resume, yet most job seekers rely on the resume to make them stand out from the crowd. Passion and confidence, then, must be evident in the cover letter.

 

  1. Passion. Cover letters can be predictable and a little boring. “I saw your job posting…I am interested in the position…here are my top qualifications…blah, blah." What was it about the job that prompted you to apply? The saying goes, “do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” Let a prospective employer know why you are drawn to the job, profession or industry. How will you make a difference?
     
  2. Experience. This is the meat of your resume. Instead of just listing your job duties for each position, include bullet points highlighting how you went above and beyond. List specific results, especially if you were instrumental in saving the company time or money, improved productivity, won an award, or landed a big client. 
     
  3. Confidence. Take a tip from Toastmasters and take the “uhms” and “aahs” out of your speech. Hesitation makes you appear uncertain, timid or less than truthful. Eliminate the “…I think” or “…I feel,” and just say what you have to say with confidence. Some people don’t like to talk about themselves or their accomplishments. An interview is not the time to be shy. If you don’t sing your praises, no one else will.

 

These three keys can make a business, employee or job seeker successful. They also let customers know they are in the hands of confident, qualified and experienced service professionals who are interested in serving their needs.

 

Photo Source:  Freedigitalphotos.com

Comment

Become a member to take advantage of more features, like commenting and voting.

  • Alejandra G
    Alejandra G
    Very interesting, we have to Start thinking outside the box and try new ways to comunicate and sell our positive points, what's that NEW that we are desperate and willing to share!
  • Gloria B
    Gloria B
    I found the article to be very interestinng.
  • Silvia P
    Silvia P
    I liked the article.  It was simple and right to the point - passion, experience and confidence.
  • Yvette W
    Yvette W
    These are very important tips to know.I'm sure once I apply these skills to the job I'm going after with confidence. I would get notice just by my resume alone
  • Wasinetta h
    Wasinetta h
    I appreciate the advice.
  • Angel F
    Angel F
    I've done most of the techniques you have mentioned and still I cannot get a job. I don't put I'm partially disabled nor my age, but to no avail. I do change some parts at times, but to no avail.Can you help?
  • Sara T
    Sara T
    Very true!  
  • Pamela B
    Pamela B
    Thank you for the article. I totally agree with the three elements one should obtain in search of a position in the service industry. Many times you would find employees who would just say "It is just a job". There is no drive in that person, the willingness to go beyond and above for total customer satisfaction does not exist. Inter-personal skills does not exist. One who choose such positions, most of the time is the first  virtual contact to customers, should have in mind these 3 key points to perform their tasks efficiently. I definitely will keep that in mind at all times. Thank you again.
  • John k
    John k
    I have fun meeting and greeting people, i know no strangers but getting the chance for fulltime jobs has been unsuccessful. I would like to get a chance working in auto sales with an established dealer, but have yet to find it. Customer service is something that has been showing a lot more of importance in the last several years.
  • Marguerite B
    Marguerite B
    This article is very informative.  Some of the things I used to do on interviews were written here.  However, I am a confident job seeker and was informed I sounded cocky. I know I am very passionate about my work, and have many years of experience in my field.   All in all I will definitely pass the tips on to current job seekers.
  • Tina C
    Tina C
    Geat points and ideas!!!
  • Paula s
    Paula s
    Very informative and a different approach I had not thought of.
  • Tonya b
    Tonya b
    Thank you all so much. These tIps are very helpful. Entry level persons submitting resumes need experIenced professional assistance with written and verbal points.
  • Evelyn s
    Evelyn s
    I agree with the suggestion and I appreciate the advise .

Jobs to Watch