7 customer service resume examples & writing tips for 2023

Customer service agents are often the first (and sometimes only) people a consumer interacts with when contacting a business. So in many ways, a good customer experience depends almost entirely on a company’s support team.

Does that challenge sound invigorating? If so, consider a career in customer service. Now’s a good time to do it, as more companies are investing in customer service to set themselves apart from the competition.

But before you can solve any customer issues, you need to get the job—starting with a customer service resume that stands out.

Customer service resume examples

Wondering what an effective resume looks like? Here are some customer service resume samples and templates from our friends at Resume Genius that fit everything a hiring manager needs to know onto one page.

Customer service representative resume example

Have you ever heard the phrase “show, don’t tell?” When you include metrics in your resume, you better illustrate your performance. Hard numbers will show the hiring manager not only where you’ve succeeded in the past but also what you might be able to take on in the future.

In the resume example above, the rep says they “handle 90+ calls daily,” which sounds more impressive than simply saying they “handle a high volume of calls.” The specific number makes their experience more concrete.

Call center representative resume example

It’s important to tailor your resume for each job posting. For example, if the company is seeking a customer service rep who’s fluent in Spanish, you’d want to put that near the top (as the applicant does in the sample resume above).

It’s okay if you don’t check every box or have a long list of professional accomplishments—focus on the most important activities and attributes that connect back to the job description. Explain the work experience you do have in detail, and highlight the transferable skills you’ve honed (such as problem-solving, communication, and agility). This will help a potential employer see how your experience and skillset might translate to a new job.

Hospitality resume example

Hiring managers are busy and may only have a few seconds to scan your resume before deciding whether it’s worth a closer look. So, you want to make sure your relevant skills and experience stand out. The hospitality example sample above accomplishes that with eye-catching green bubbles that represent the applicant’s level of expertise in key skills.

If you’re applying for a supervisory position like the above applicant, your customer service manager resume should highlight your leadership experience and dedication to customer satisfaction.

Cashier resume example

When you’re looking to take the next step in your career, your resume should demonstrate growth and professional development. In this tidy, easy-to-read resume sample, the applicant’s progression from cashier to head cashier illustrates the initiative and the ability to take on increased responsibility.

Including hard numbers—such as “92 transactions on average daily”—gives a potential employer a good idea of what you’re capable of.

Retail sales associate resume example

The ability to turn new customers into repeat customers is an important skill in retail, and the resume above shows the applicant has accomplished exactly that in their previous roles. This should immediately catch the hiring manager’s eye.

Another way to grab a hiring manager’s attention is to highlight ways you’ve helped other employers increase sales or save money (as the applicant does in the resume sample above)—especially if you have metrics to back up your claims.

Technical support resume example

If you’re seeking a leadership role, you need to show the hiring manager that you have experience doing so, as this applicant does. It’s also important to include the software applications you’ve used so the potential employer knows you can hit the ground running and won’t need a lot of technical training.

Waiter/waitress resume example

A good resume (like the one above) begins with the most relevant information, as it’s likely to capture a hiring manager’s attention quickly. For example, you may have graduated from a top-tier university, but if it’s not what makes you qualified for the job, the education section should be low on the page (and you don’t need to include your GPA).

Focusing on your relevant skills and experience not only shows the hiring manager that you’re a worthy candidate but also that you respect their time.

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7 tips for writing a professional customer service resume

It’s tempting to include every one of your past jobs and all your skills in your customer service resume, but it’s not necessary. It might even do more harm than good—for instance, if you have to use a tiny font to fit everything onto one page, no one will be able to read it. Follow these resume best practices to increase your chances of making the first cut (and eventually landing an interview).

1. Keep it short

   Unless you have decades of experience in the customer service industry, your relevant work history should fit on a single page. Leave out any job that’s more than 10 years old to save space.

2. Make it easy to read

   You have only a few seconds to catch the eye of a busy recruiter, so use section headings (such as professional experience, relevant skills, education, and certifications) to ensure your resume is easy to read. And instead of writing long paragraphs, use bullet points with short descriptions to make it scannable.

3. Include a customer service resume summary

   While customer service resume objective statements have gone out the window, a resume summary can help an employer quickly see what you have to offer. Highlight your interpersonal skills and transferable skills if you don’t have customer service experience.

4. Use keywords

   Today’s hiring managers often use applicant tracking system (ATS) software to screen candidates before they look at resumes. This tool scans for keywords that match the skills necessary for the role, so your resume could be eliminated before a human even sees it if it doesn’t have the right words. Be sure to include some key terms listed in the job description throughout your resume.

5. Tailor your customer service resume for each position

   When you customize your resume to the specific position you’re applying for, it tells the hiring manager that you’ve done your homework—which increases the likelihood of landing an interview. Try to match the language used in the job posting (which will also help you hit those important keywords), and only list the skills that are relevant to that particular role.

6. Know what to leave out

   Less is often more in resume writing. Don’t distract a potential employer with outdated information or personal details that have nothing to do with why they should want to hire you. Other things to exclude are your professional headshot and salary expectations (which could land your resume in the rejection pile).

7. Proofread it

   You might be eager to submit your resume, but taking a few extra minutes to double-check your spelling is time well spent. Proofread your resume before you apply—or better yet, ask someone else to proofread it (ideally, someone with strong grammar skills).

   Whether you have years of experience or are seeking an entry-level position, a customer service professional needs to pay attention to details. Typos and grammatical errors can make you look careless or unprepared.

What customer service skills to include on your resume

Beyond the basics, your resume should also show a hiring manager that you have the interpersonal skills needed to deliver an excellent customer experience. Here are some of the top customer service skills, qualities, and experiences employers want to see in a support agent or manager.

Customer-centricity

Building great customer relationships is key to a company’s success, and customer service representatives are key to building great customer relationships. Customer-centricity is all about putting the customer at the center of everything you do.

Today the bar is set high, thanks to companies like online retailer Zappos that have made customer-centricity a core value. While customer service agents at some companies are evaluated on speed, Zappos lets its reps take as long as they need on a call—the record for the longest Zappos customer service call is 10 hours and 51 minutes.

The idea of customer-centricity runs deep at Zendesk, too. “I have to have somebody smart and technical—that’s a given,” says Jonathan Brummel, director of enterprise support at Zendesk. “But I’m not hiring them for the deep technical bench and talent. What I’m hiring for is heart, soul, passion, fire, integrity, self-management, leadership, communication ability, a hunger to learn, and a deep desire to serve.”

Hiring managers are looking for agents who are driven to help others and want to deliver fantastic service. So, be sure to include examples of when you went above and beyond for a customer or a colleague in your cover letter or in the experience section of your resume.

Career progression

Aside from basics like your contact information and education, your work experience is one of the most important things to include in your professional resume. Start with the most recent position and work backward, making sure to list any customer-facing roles you’ve held.

• If you’re an experienced customer service representative, the hiring manager will want to see specifics: industry experience, your ability to deliver support over different channels (text, chat, email, and phone), technical skills (like proficiency in Microsoft Office or other software applications), and performance metrics (such as CSAT score).
• If you haven’t worked in customer support specifically, think about what you’ve done in other roles that demonstrate your abilities. Ideas for your skills section include: answering phone calls, responding to client emails, collaborating with colleagues, or volunteering with a school group.

Coachability

Coachability is the ability to absorb and act on constructive criticism and feedback. It’s a crucial skill because no one is perfect. Your employers know you’ll make mistakes, but more importantly, they want to know how you’ll respond when they happen.

Brummel says, “I tell our team, ‘Look, I screw stuff up every seven minutes, and you’re going to screw stuff up, too. Making a mistake is okay.’ So, let’s learn from this and bring it to the team as a source of strength. It’s our job to figure out what happened and enable the team to avoid the problem next time.”

While coachability will be something you dig into during your interview, you should keep it in mind when writing your resume and cover letter. Sharing a learning experience or explaining how you improved your job performance is a great place to start.

Excellent communication skills

A good customer service experience doesn’t just entail answering questions. It also requires the ability to communicate effectively so a customer feels heard. Show hiring managers that you can connect with customers by highlighting these valuable skills:

• Listening. Active listening is the essential first step to problem-solving. It helps you identify the root of a customer’s concerns so you can address them the right way.
• Multichannel communication. Phone and video calls are one thing, but talking to customers through email and text can be tricky because it’s often hard to decipher the tone.
• Empathy. The ability to step into another person’s shoes is critical to building rapport, anticipating customer needs, and delivering a superior experience.

These soft skills can go a long way toward turning a negative experience into a positive one, so they’re key to cultivating customer loyalty—and earning a customer service job.

Take time to craft your resume

Creating a resume that stands out takes time and effort, but it’s an important part of your journey to success. Bring your experiences to life with tangible metrics, engaging bullet points, and the right keywords to land a job interview.