At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide excellent visitor experiences and assist with bookings, events, and enquiries.
- Company: Join a vibrant team in amazing museums and heritage buildings.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, competitive pay, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Fixed term contract with varied shifts, including weekends and evenings.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic environment and engage with diverse visitors.
- Qualifications: Customer-focused attitude and great communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 25000 £ per year.
The Role and Department
This is a great opportunity to work in our amazing museums and heritage buildings.
Our Visitor Services Assistants are essential to providing our visitors with an excellent, memorable visitor experience.
You will be customer focused and confident speaking with people, sharing information and answering enquiries.
You will proactively greet visitors and support them in making the most of their visit.
This could include supporting visitors making bookings, (online and in-person) using the self-service cafe, making purchases from our shop, finding their way around our galleries and providing introductory information about exhibitions.
You will assist in the safety and security of our visitors, collections and our buildings in which we work.
You will support events such as exhibition openings, school visits and community engagement activities, as well as assist in data collection and social media content.
The post is based at our reception desks and gallery spaces, and you will work across our venues, primarily at the Oriental Museum and Palace Green Library, which is home to the World Heritage Site visitor centre, Cosin's Library, the Museum of Archaeology and the Castle.
You will be part of the Customer Services team within the University Library and Collections (ULC) department, leading on customer experience across our libraries and visitor attractions.
ULC provide spaces, collections, expertise and services (in person and online) supporting education, research, the wider student experience and cultural and educational outreach.
This is a fixed term contract until 1st September 2027 for 15.5 hours a week
Shifts are variable and will be discussed and agreed in advance.
Weekend working is required.
Flexibility to work evenings to support one day a week late night opening and exhibition openings is required.
You will be required to work some Bank Holidays, for which additional pay is made.
Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.
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Visitor Services Assistant employer: Durham University
Durham University is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant academic environment that fosters collaboration and innovation. As a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Anthropology, you will benefit from extensive professional development opportunities, a supportive work culture, and the chance to contribute to impactful research that shapes understanding of diverse cultures. Located in a historic city, the university provides a unique setting for both personal and professional growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Visitor Services Assistant
✨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 Durham University 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 Durham University and let us see your personality shine through!
We think you need these skills to ace Visitor Services Assistant
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 Durham University.
Get Familiar with Our Brand:Before applying, take some time to learn about Durham University 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 Durham University
✨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 Durham University.
✨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 Durham University will surely appreciate.
