At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide top-notch customer service for housing enquiries via phone, face-to-face, and online.
- Company: Join a supportive Housing Services team in Lyndhurst.
- Benefits: Earn £14.48 per hour with full-time hours and a friendly work environment.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and opportunities for personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by helping customers navigate housing services.
- Qualifications: Customer service experience and strong communication skills are essential.
Location: Lyndhurst
Salary: £14.48 per hour
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Visa Sponsorship: This role does not offer eligibility for visa sponsorship.
The standard working hours are:
- Monday to Thursday: 8:30am - 5:15pm
- Friday: 8:30am - 4:45pm
Shift patterns and flexibility will be discussed during the interview.
We are looking for a professional, friendly and customer-focused Customer Service Officer (Housing) to join the team in Lyndhurst. The successful candidate will be the first point of contact for customers accessing Housing Services, providing an efficient, high-quality and comprehensive information and advice service to members of the public, council employees and elected members. You will be responsible for handling a wide range of customer enquiries through various communication channels, including telephone, face-to-face and online/web-based services.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide a first-class customer service through a range of communication channels, including telephone, face-to-face and web-based enquiries.
- Provide accurate information, assistance and guidance to customers regarding housing enquiries, using your knowledge and experience and accessing relevant information when required.
- Process customer payments, including cash, credit and debit card transactions.
- Record and respond appropriately to customer comments, compliments and complaints in line with agreed procedures.
- Deal with transactions for internal customers, including bookings.
- Undertake daily reconciliation duties as appropriate.
- Provide cover and support for colleagues within the team when required.
- Monitor and be aware of service performance indicators.
- Identify personal training and development needs and make recommendations to your line manager.
- Contribute to the continuous development of the Customer Services Team and Business Support Hub by assisting with the review and development of procedures alongside senior colleagues.
- Adapt to new technology and changing ways of working to support the delivery of high-quality customer services.
- Undertake any other duties reasonably requested by the line manager, in line with the grade and responsibilities of the post.
Essential Skills and Experience
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Experience working in a customer service environment.
- A good general education, including GCSEs or equivalent in Maths and English at Grade C or above.
- The ability to deal confidently and effectively with a wide range of customer enquiries.
- A polite, friendly and professional approach, with the ability to remain firm and confident when required.
- Experience handling cash transactions and processing credit and debit card payments.
- Excellent typing and data entry skills, with the ability to input information quickly and accurately while taking details from customers over the telephone or face-to-face.
- The ability to adapt to changing technology and new systems.
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
- Experience of working effectively as part of a team.
- A flexible, supportive and positive approach to working with colleagues.
- The ability to maintain accuracy, confidentiality and professionalism when dealing with customer information.
Why Join Us?
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced customer service professional to join a busy Housing Services team and play an important role in supporting customers and delivering a high-quality service. If you are friendly, organised, confident and committed to providing excellent customer service, we would love to hear from you. Apply now to become a valued member of the Housing Services team in Lyndhurst.
Please note that no terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate on the grounds of a person's gender, marital status, race, religion, colour, age, disability or sexual orientation. Every candidate will be assessed only in accordance with their merits, qualifications and ability to perform the duties of the job.
Customer Service Officer (Housing) hybrid in Lyndhurst employer: Berry Recruitment
Berry Recruitment is an excellent employer that values reliability and teamwork, offering a supportive work culture where every team member plays a vital role in maintaining cleanliness and hygiene. With flexible morning shifts from 7am to 11am, employees enjoy a balanced work-life schedule while earning a competitive pay rate of £12.71 per hour. The company also prioritises employee growth and development, making it a rewarding place for those seeking meaningful employment in Reading.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Customer Service Officer (Housing) hybrid in Lyndhurst
✨Get to Know the Company Culture
Before jumping into applications, it’s super helpful to understand the vibe at Berry Recruitment. Check out their social media, read reviews on sites like Glassdoor, and see how they engage with customers. It'll give you clues on their values and help tailor your conversation during interviews.
✨Join Customer Support Communities
Dive into online communities like those on Reddit or LinkedIn where customer support pros hang out. Participating in discussions or asking questions can make you more visible to potential recruiters and help you learn about job openings at companies like Berry Recruitment before they even post them.
✨Attend Job Fairs or Networking Events
Look out for local job fairs or events specifically for customer support roles. This is your chance to meet hiring managers face-to-face, and you might even get the opportunity to interview on the spot!
✨Show Off Your Skills with Customer Interactions
In the customer support world, showcasing your communication skills is key. Consider creating a short video introducing yourself or even doing a mock call to showcase your abilities. It's a memorable way to stand out, especially if you can share this during your interview process!
We think you need these skills to ace Customer Service Officer (Housing) hybrid in Lyndhurst
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Communication Skills:In customer support, clear communication is key. Make sure your CV highlights any experience you've had in customer-facing roles and your ability to resolve issues. Don't shy away from including specific examples of how you've gone above and beyond to help customers – this really shows your potential in the role.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Berry Recruitment:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Tell us why you want to work at Berry Recruitment specifically. Mention any unique aspects of our company that resonate with you and how your skills can enhance our customer support. This personal touch will set your application apart from the rest!
Highlight Any Relevant Tools or Tech Skills:If you've used customer support software like Zendesk or Freshdesk or have experience with CRM systems, make sure to mention these in your application. Being familiar with industry-standard tools can be a big plus for us when we’re reviewing applications, as it shows you can hit the ground running!
Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills:Customer support roles often require a knack for problem-solving. In your application, share examples of past experiences where you've tackled tough situations or resolved conflicts effectively. This will give us a good sense of how you handle challenges—an essential skill for success at Berry Recruitment!
How to prepare for a job interview at Berry Recruitment
✨Show Off Your People Skills
In customer support, it's all about communicating effectively. Prepare to share instances from your past experiences where you handled difficult customers or resolved conflicts. We want to hear how you empathised and found the best solutions, so think of specific examples to back up your stories!
✨Know the Tools of the Trade
Familiarise yourself with common customer support tools like Zendesk or Freshdesk, and make sure to review how you’ve used any similar systems in the past. During the interview, being able to discuss your hands-on experience with software or ticketing systems can really set you apart from the competition, so don’t skip this prep!
✨Show Genuine Enthusiasm
As this is a full-time role, employers want someone who isn’t just looking for any job, but wants to grow within customer support. Make sure to express your enthusiasm for helping customers and your desire to develop your skills. Show them why you're passionate about this field!
✨Practice Common Scenarios
Be prepared for role-playing scenarios where you might have to reassess a solution with a frustrated customer or explain a complex process in simple terms. Practising these common scenarios can help us feel more confident and demonstrate our practical skills effectively during the interview.
