Customer Service Representative CV Example & Writing Guide

At the heart of any successful business or organisation are happy customers. That's where customer service representatives come in! If you’re a customer service representative, you play an essential role in managing the day-to-day needs of customers, ensuring they have a smooth and positive experience. Communication is a vital component of this role, and as a customer service representative, it's important to illustrate your communication skills to potential employers. Our cvapp.nz guide is geared towards helping you showcase your professional profile and helping you put your best foot forward. 

Personal Statements: First impressions count!

Think of your personal statement section like your first impression: this is where employers learn more about you, and positioned right at the top of your CV, it’s often the first section employers read when determining if you’re the right candidate for the role. It’s like a short and snappy summary of your professional profile – you’ll want to briefly mention any outstanding achievements or qualifications relevant to the role and make sure that there’s no errors or typos. With our handy spell-checker, we take care of this for you, however, it’s always a good idea to read over this section a couple times and make sure you’re happy with it – first impressions count!

Employment History: Paint your professional picture

Previous employment positions should go in this section. However, if you haven't had many job opportunities yet, don't stress! There are a few strategies you can use to effectively showcase your skills, experience, and enthusiasm for future employment.

One approach is to highlight your existing skill set by emphasising relevant experiences from volunteering or any extracurricular activities you may have participated in. This will demonstrate to potential employers that you have developed unique and valuable abilities even if you haven't held a traditional job yet.

Another effective tactic is to mention in your cover letter that you are just starting out in your career and are eager to gain more experience and knowledge through your work. This will demonstrate your willingness to learn and grow quickly, which is often a highly desirable quality in job applicants.

If you do have previous employment experiences, you should list your job title, the name of the company you worked for, the amount of time you worked in that position and the location, and the key roles and responsibilities you performed during your time in that position. 

By making the most out of the experiences you have had so far and positioning yourself as an enthusiastic and dedicated learner, you can increase your chances of landing the job role. Need some inspiration? Check out the example below!

Skills for your CV: reveal your skillset 

To catch the attention of potential employers, showcasing both soft and hard skills is key. Take some time to go through the job description and weave in relevant keywords from the description into your CV. Additionally, consider highlighting some of the skills listed in the job description in your skills section (if you genuinely possess them!). This way, hiring managers and potential employers will have a clear sense of your capabilities and qualifications.

While it depends on your industry, customer service representatives should have strong communication skills and problem-solving skills. Hard skills focus on more technical capabilities, such as proficiency in CRM software or social media management skills. Soft skills including effective time management and attentive listening are also essential to provide the best possible customer service experience. Try to include a range of both hard and soft skills! 

Education: emphasise your education 

The education section of your CV should show all relevant educational experiences, beginning from the most recent and down to the least recent. For example, if you're a high school graduate, you would list your NCEA Level 3 qualifications first, followed by your NCEA Level 2 and NCEA Level 1 qualifications. While listing your education, prioritise including the highest levels of education you have earned over less relevant educational experiences. You can also include any qualifications or scholarships you have received, particularly if you are applying for entry-level positions and have limited work experience.