In many sectors, a combination of education, skills, and work experience are the main qualities employers look for when hiring new talent. However, this may not be the only requirement for job seekers in the customer service sector. If you are thinking education or work experience alone is enough to land a customer service job or get promoted – think again! Hiring managers also look at whether candidates have earned any certifications. If you are wondering if certification is really necessary – or worth the time and expense – let’s explore how customer service training would help your career.
What is Customer Service Certification?
Customer service certification is a credential that is awarded to course participants who successfully complete the course and pass the assessments. Certifications are typically awarded by a professional organization that offers recognized training and certification programs. In some cases, a course mentor or assessor provides one-on-one guidance as part of the course offering.
Obtaining certification verifies the participant’s knowledge of customer service best practices and the skills and abilities needed to be successful in their role. After earning a certification, you can use the designation after your name. For example, if you earn the Certified Customer Service Manager designation you can begin using “CCSM” after your name. Many certifications have ongoing requirements – such as the completion of professional development units – to maintain that designation. These requirements are often fulfilled by attending customer service webinars, writing articles, or taking refresher courses.
Why Get Certified?
How do you know if getting certified is worth the time, effort, and money? Before pursuing certification, you could ask yourself the following questions:
- Are Others in the Customer Service Industry Getting Certifications? – One good way of finding out if certification is worthwhile is by looking at others in your industry. If they have current customer service training and certification on their resume or Linkedin profile and have a designation after their name, then the company they work for values their certification.
- Will I Gain More Knowledge? – You may think your education and/or work experience is all you need to do well in your career. However, in this ever-changing, almost entirely digital business landscape, customers’ needs and expectations also continue to evolve and change. So, the knowledge and tools needed to perform your job will continue to change as well. Getting certified ensures that you have the most up-to-date understanding of customer service best practices.
Now that you know why getting certified is important, let’s look at some other benefits.
Additional Benefits of Certification
There are numerous benefits to getting certified. We’ll highlight some of the main reasons certification is beneficial for anyone pursuing a career in customer service. By getting certified you will:
- Gain Industry Knowledge – Getting the certification is a vital part of keeping in touch with current trends and best practices.
- Demonstrate Commitment – Obtaining recognized certification demonstrates to your employer and your customers that you are committed to service excellence by mastering skills and gaining knowledge in your field.
- Experience Greater Fulfillment – When you are knowledgeable and confident about your work, you experience greater personal and professional fulfillment.
- Gain Recognition – While a piece of paper is not all you need to gain respect and recognition at work, it boosts one’s morale to have qualifications and designations that reinforce your role and responsibilities.
- Improve Your Chances of Getting Hired or Promoted – In this competitive market, getting certified will help you stand out from other job candidates and improve your chances of getting that job promotion you’ve been hoping for!
- Receive Higher Pay – Having a higher level of training and certification makes you more desirable to a company, so it qualifies you for a higher salary range.
- Expand Your Professional Network – Getting certified helps you connect with a broader community of customer service professionals with similar designations.
To sum it up, certifications are definitely a worthwhile investment because of the many advantages they can provide you throughout your entire career. As you continue to develop and advance in your profession, be sure to keep your certification(s) current so you can continue to use your designation and reap its many benefits. Also, be sure to share your certifications on your resume as well as your LinkedIn and any other online profiles.
Additional Resources:
The Benefits of a Training Coach Coupled with Online Training
5 Ways a Customer Service Training Course can Elevate your Career
