At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide exceptional customer support and assist in student recruitment activities.
- Company: Join Barnsley College, a vibrant and welcoming educational institution.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible working hours, and personal development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for career growth and community engagement.
- Why this job: Be the first point of contact and make a positive impact on prospective learners.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a passion for helping others.
Barnsley College is seeking a friendly, professional and customer-focused Customer Adviser (Receptionist/Administrator) to join our Student Recruitment team. This is an exciting opportunity to be at the heart of the College’s front-facing services, providing exceptional customer support and helping prospective learners begin their journey with us.
As one of the first points of contact for visitors, learners, parents, employers and partners, you will play a key role in creating a positive and welcoming experience across the College. Working within a busy and dynamic environment, you will support both reception and student recruitment activities, helping to ensure high standards of customer service and administrative support are consistently delivered. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working with people, thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about providing outstanding customer experiences.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Provide a professional and informative reception service, handling face-to-face, telephone and electronic enquiries while ensuring all visitors receive a warm and positive experience.
- Operate the College switchboard, directing enquiries appropriately and always maintaining a high standard of customer service.
- Support admissions and student recruitment activity, helping to coordinate recruitment events, process enrolment invitations and follow up with applicants as part of the College’s student recruitment strategy.
- Contribute to achieving recruitment targets while providing accurate information and guidance to prospective learners.
- Manage digital visitor systems, support the collection and analysis of customer feedback and assist in the preparation of reports that monitor service performance and customer satisfaction.
- Help maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with college procedures, safeguarding requirements and data protection regulations.
- Represent the College at internal and external events, supporting Information, Advice and Guidance activity and promoting the College positively within the community.
- Work flexibly across multiple College sites and may be required to work occasional evenings and weekends to support recruitment events and departmental activities.
About You
With excellent communication and interpersonal skills, you will be able to build positive relationships with learners, visitors, colleagues and external partners. You will be comfortable working with a wide range of people and can deal tactfully and effectively with challenging situations when required. You will be highly organised and able to manage your workload effectively, balancing multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail. Confident using a variety of IT systems, you will be able to record and maintain accurate information and produce reports where required. You will enjoy working both independently and as part of a team, demonstrating flexibility, adaptability and a proactive approach to delivering excellent service. Above all, you will take pride in providing a welcoming and professional experience that reflects the values of Barnsley College.
The Barnsley College Advantage
When you join us, you can expect to benefit from The Barnsley College Advantage. This is the advantage of:
- Being supported to achieve your personal and professional goals
- A range of flexible working opportunities
- Autonomy, Empowerment and Accountability
- Short- and Long-Term development commitments
- Access to experiencing work in a range of areas
- Working in a Value and Behaviour led organisation
- Reward and Recognition
- Having your voice heard at every level
- Comprehensive Wellbeing Support
Closing date for applications is Wednesday 5th August 2026. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early depending on the level of interest. Barnsley College is committed to creating a dynamic and diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all candidates regardless of their gender, disability, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or faith. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview. The College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure from DBS.
Please be aware that it is a Criminal offence to apply for this post if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity in connection to children. We are committed to sustainability, embedding environmentally responsible practices across everything we do and preparing our learners for a low-carbon future.
Customer Adviser employer: Barnsley College
Barnsley College is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and empowering work environment where educators can thrive. With a commitment to professional development, flexible working opportunities, and a focus on wellbeing, you will have the chance to make a meaningful impact on the next generation of construction professionals while enjoying a collaborative and inclusive culture at our state-of-the-art CUBE centre.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Customer Adviser
✨Connect with the Community
Get involved in customer support communities online! Platforms like Reddit and specific Facebook groups can be goldmines for sharing opportunities and tips. You can find out about part-time roles that might not even be advertised yet — it's all about who you know!
✨Attend Local Job Fairs
Job fairs are perfect for snagging part-time gigs! Keep an eye out for local hiring events and career expos in your area. It’s a brilliant chance to meet representatives from companies like Barnsley College and show off your personality in person.
✨Boost Your Visibility
Showcase your skills in online customer support forums or by offering help on platforms like Zendesk Community. A strong online presence can catch the eyes of recruiters and hiring managers looking for genuinely passionate candidates.
✨Apply Directly Through Us!
Don’t forget, applying through our website is one of the best ways to catch our attention. Tailor your application for the part-time customer support role at Barnsley College and let us see your personality shine through!
We think you need these skills to ace Customer Adviser
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Communication Skills:In customer support, communication is key! Make sure your CV and cover letter highlight your ability to clearly convey information and resolve issues. Use examples that illustrate how you've helped customers or colleagues in the past.
Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Abilities:Employers want to see how you tackle challenges. Include specific instances where you resolved a tough issue for a customer or improved a process. Real life scenarios are a great way to showcase your critical thinking and adaptability.
Tailor Your Application to Part-Time Work:Since this is a part-time role, be upfront about your availability in your cover letter. Highlight how you can balance work with your other commitments. It shows you're organised and committed to making the role work for both you and Barnsley College.
Get Familiar with Our Brand:Before applying, take some time to learn about Barnsley College and our approach to customer support. Mention in your cover letter why you're excited about supporting our customers specifically. It’ll show your enthusiasm and that you've done your homework!
How to prepare for a job interview at Barnsley College
✨Show Off Your Communication Skills
In customer support, being able to communicate clearly and effectively is key. During the interview, make sure to demonstrate your listening skills and your ability to explain solutions simply. Use examples from past experiences where you resolved customer issues successfully.
✨Know the Tools of the Trade
Familiarise yourself with common customer support tools like ticketing systems (think Zendesk or Freshdesk) and chat software. If you’ve used any of these in previous roles or during your studies, be ready to chat about your experiences. Showing you can hit the ground running with these tools will impress Barnsley College.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility
Since this is a part-time role, emphasise your ability to adapt to different shifts and your willingness to handle varying customer volumes. Share any experiences where you thrived in a fast-paced environment or juggled multiple tasks, which can highlight your time management skills.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Interviewers often love scenario-based questions in customer support roles. Be ready to tackle common customer situations, like how you'd handle an unhappy customer. Practising responses to these scenarios will showcase your problem-solving ability and customer service mindset, which Barnsley College will surely appreciate.
