THE soaring cost of living has sparked a customer service recruitment crisis, with almost 75,000 vacancies throughout the UK.
As more of us turn to companies for help, firms are scrambling to take on extra staff to deal with enquiries.
The cost of living crisis has led to an increase in call centre vacancies
Ashley Osman switched careers to customer service
Jobs are available at all levels from part-time starter roles to customer service directors on six-figure salaries.
Janine Hunt, client partnership director at the UK’s largest customer service outsourcer, Kura, says: “Demand for customer service advisors is going to go through the roof.
“Companies are seeing an enormous increase in contact from worried and frustrated customers, and they’re suddenly finding themselves short-staffed.
“Businesses have to be ready to support consumers through this difficult time and must ensure they are offering the right benefits to attract top talent.”
With rising pay rates and many jobs offering flexible hours, the sector is becoming more attractive — including for those keen to switch careers such as Ashley Osman.
The 28-year-old studied a care qualification at college but now works for Kura as a customer service advisor.
She said: “You need excellent customer service skills as well as a good level of patience and being able to handle, at times, stressful situations. Verbal communication also needs to be strong.
“However the incentives are great, you work as part of a fantastic team and there is the opportunity to progress.
“It’s a really positive work environment with a competitive salary.”
Companies from airlines to energy firms and banks are now recruiting.
Roles can be in-store, online and by phone, with some firms promoting working from home.
Salaries average £24,000 for a junior full-time role and £36,000 for a first management role.
Apply direct to a company or try specialist recruiters and job sites.
- See: wearekura.com/careers, retailchoice.com/jobs/ customer-service, timewisejobs.co.uk/jobs/ customer-services.
Tomatoes a plum job
ARE you the cream of the crop? Then pick up a job as a tomato grower.
British tomato season is in full swing and there are dozens of jobs for specialist staff including trimmers, crop supervisors and groundworkers.
Growing tomatoes can be a great way to make the most of the season
Duncan Toms, general manager at The Green House Growers, which has farms in Sussex and Norfolk, says: “We employ people who share our values and care about the environment, sustainability, and quality of produce. The ideal candidate is a self-starter, self-motivated and would enjoy working with plants.
“Our working environment is peaceful, calm and enjoyable. We offer really flexible working hours, so if you have competing work or family commitments then we’re happy for you to work around those.”
Search for jobs near you at britishtomatoes.co.uk/meet-our-growers and thegreenhousegrowers.co.uk/jobs.
Get leg up as an intern
SCHOOL’S out for summer but the smartest students use the time to prepare for their future career by doing an internship.
Dr Holly Andrews, below, from the Henley Business School says: “Taking an internship is the best way to boost your employability.” Here she shares her tips for snaring one.
Dr Holly Andrews shares her top tips on getting an internship
1. FOCUS ON YOUR FUTURE: Picking a position that gives you experience in the sector and role you are interested in will provide you with the best chance of securing your dream role.
2. BE FLEXIBLE: Students who have rigid ideas regarding where they want to work often miss out on the best opportunities. Instead, widen your search to every kind of organisation in the field you are interested in.
3. THINK ABOUT FINANCES: Many large organisations who employ lots of interns will be able to help with accommodation and pay, but factor in other costs including travel, food and entertainment.
4. CONSIDER WHAT YOU ENJOY OUTSIDE WORK: Use your internship to broaden your network by joining local clubs or getting involved in local community activities to meet like-minded people.
5. COULD YOU GO FURTHER?: Working in another country can give you an edge compared to other graduates. If you speak another language this is an obvious option, but even if you don’t, many multinational corporations do business in English regardless of the company’s location.