At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide excellent customer service and handle enquiries about Council services.
- Company: Harborough District Council, a supportive and community-focused employer.
- Benefits: Part-time hours, flexible working, and a chance to make a difference.
- Other info: Fixed-term role with potential for growth in a busy environment.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and enhance your communication skills while helping the community.
- Qualifications: Experience in customer service and strong interpersonal skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Employer: Harborough District Council
Location: Market Harborough, Leicestershire
Contract: Temporary
Working Pattern: Part Time
Hours: 15 hours per week. Monday to Friday 11am to 2pm.
DBS Check: Yes
Closing Date: 03/08/2026 at 09:00
Reference: HBC/26/
As a member of the Customer Services Team, dealing with a range of enquiries about Council services, you will play a key role within the team in providing excellent customer service to our customers. Our Customer Services Team provides the important front line “one stop” service through various channels of communication such as contact centre telephony, meeting with customers through pre-booked appointments and other face to face interactions, engaging with customers through website/webchats, emails and social media.
If you are someone who enjoys working with people, who is enthusiastic, has excellent interpersonal and communication skills (both written and verbal), along with the desire to work within a busy and challenging work environment to deliver an outstanding customer experience, please join our Customer Services Team.
Applicants must have experience of working within a customer service environment, have excellent customer service skills including interpersonal, numeracy and literacy. It is essential that you are able to be flexible to ensure we continue to meet the needs of our customers.
This post is based at The Symington Building in Market Harborough and is fixed term to cover maternity leave. Your hours of work are part-time 15 hours per week on a pre agreed rota basis to meet the needs of the business. Rotas are subject to review and can be varied with reasonable notice. The service operates Monday to Friday.
Applicants must have:
- The commitment to delivery high quality customer services
- Experience of working in a customer focused environment
- The ability to multi-task and prioritise workloads
- Experience of working with computerised systems
The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 9am on Monday 3rd August 2026, with interviews to be held week commencing 10th August 2026.
Customer Services Advisor (part time - maternity cover) employer: Harborough District Council
Harborough District Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional development. With flexible working arrangements and a commitment to health and safety, employees can thrive in a role that not only contributes to the community but also fosters personal growth through training and advisory opportunities.
Contact Details:
Harborough District Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Customer Services Advisor (part time - maternity cover)
✨Get Social with Customer Support Communities
Join customer support groups on platforms like Facebook or Reddit. They often share job openings or temp opportunities. Engaging with these communities can help you learn more about the specific skills and experiences employers are looking for, plus you'll meet folks who might know about openings at companies like Harborough District Council.
✨Leverage Seasonal Hiring Trends
Since customer support roles can spike during busy seasons (think holidays and sales periods), keep an eye out for timelines when companies ramp up hiring. Make sure to apply early and stay active; sending a quick follow-up a week after applying can show your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Flex Your Communication Skills
In customer support, communication is key! Prepare for hypothetical scenarios that test your problem-solving and customer interaction skills. Practising answers to common role-play questions can really help you shine in interviews—trust us, it makes a difference!
✨Make the Most of Job Boards
Use industry-specific job boards like Glassdoor or Indeed to find temporary roles. Don’t forget to set up alerts for customer support positions at companies like Harborough District Council. The earlier you apply, the better your chances, so keep your finger on the pulse!
We think you need these skills to ace Customer Services Advisor (part time - maternity cover)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Communication Skills:In customer support, top-notch communication is key. Make sure your CV showcases any previous experience where you’ve had to clearly convey information or resolve issues. If you’ve handled customer queries via email or chat, mention it! Let’s see those strong verbal and written skills shine through.
Showcase Problem-Solving Experience:Employers love to see how you've handled tricky situations. Include examples in your application where you’ve tackled customer concerns or had to think on your feet. It's all about proving you can keep cool under pressure and find solutions—something super important in a temporary customer support role!
Tailor Your Approach for Temporary Roles:Since this is a temporary gig, make sure your cover letter emphasises your flexibility and eagerness to dive right in. Mention that you're ready to hit the ground running and are adaptable to new tools or systems—this shows that you understand the urgency often needed in temporary positions.
Proof of Customer Satisfaction:If you’ve got any quantifiable achievements from past customer support roles, like improved customer satisfaction scores or successful project completions, make sure to include them. Numbers speak volumes! This not only shows your capability but also gives us a reason to believe you'll bring that same success to Harborough District Council.
How to prepare for a job interview at Harborough District Council
✨Master the Customer Interaction Game
In customer support, we need to showcase our people skills. Prepare for role-playing scenarios where you'll demonstrate how to handle difficult customers or resolve complaints. Think about the types of issues common in Harborough District Council's industry and how you can respond empathetically and effectively!
✨Know Your Products Inside Out
For a temporary role, it's crucial to familiarize yourself with the products or services Harborough District Council offers. Brush up on key features, common issues, and FAQs. This knowledge will enable you to respond quickly and confidently to customer queries, showing you’re ready to jump in at a moment’s notice!
✨Flexibility is Key - Emphasise Your Adaptability!
Since this is a temporary role, we're looking to convey how quickly we can adapt to new systems or processes. Be ready to share examples of how you've quickly learned new tools or adjusted to changing environments in past roles. Show them you're the go-to person when the pressure's on!
✨Prepare for Quick Conversational Q&A
You might face a rapid-fire round of questions about customer service principles or how you'd handle specific situations. To ace this, think through different customer scenarios ahead of time, and practice your responses to ensure they're concise and impactful. The aim is to demonstrate your quick thinking and problem-solving skills!
