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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist customers via phone, webchat, email, and social media in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join Maidstone Borough Council, dedicated to delivering high-quality services.
- Benefits: Full-time role with training, support, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by helping the community and developing your communication skills.
- Qualifications: GCSEs in English and Maths, plus 6 months of customer service experience.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with a focus on innovation and improvement.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
Are you a great team player and confident communicator? If so, we want to hear from you! We have an exciting opportunity for a Customer Service Advisor to join our team, helping the people of Maidstone access the services we deliver. We do this over the phone, through promotion of our online services, webchat, emails, social media, and face-to-face.
About the Role
You will be working in a busy and challenging environment answering customer enquiries across a range of contact methods. It is a fast-paced department where no two days are the same, so you will need to be resilient and open to learning something new every day. With supporting customers at the heart of the job, you will be polite and empathetic to the people who contact us. Through the use of positive language, you will also need to be firm and not afraid to challenge difficult behaviours at times. This is a full time role working 37 hours per week on a fixed term contract for a period of 12 months.
About You
- Educated to GCSE standard (or equivalent, including English & Maths at a grade 4 or above)
- Relevant experience in a customer service environment (a minimum of 6 months in a contact centre or dealing with challenging customers over the telephone)
- The ability to work on various computer systems at the same time. You will need accurate keyboard skills with the ability to talk and type at the same time (a quick typing speed would be ideal)
- Excellent communication skills, including listening and using simple language with the ability to remain calm and professional at all times
- The ability to converse at ease with customers adapting communication style to suit differing audiences and provide advice in accurate spoken English is fundamental to the role.
About Maidstone Borough Council
Maidstone Borough Council is a confident organisation with ambition and aspirations to deliver high quality services to our residents and local businesses. We strive to make the borough an attractive place for all and secure a successful economy. We continue to build on our strengths - assets, knowledge and expertise and our track record for innovation and improvement to create a financially sustainable future so that we can continue with our undiminished plans. We will only achieve the results we are aiming for through the talents and hard work of all our people. You are encouraged to become part of our vision and in return you can expect support, training, and fair reward from us. We will give you the opportunity to develop the skills to do your job well and create a positive working environment where your ideas about improving how we do things are valued and we manage the changes needed for new ways of working well.
Selection Process
Following the submission of your application form, it will be reviewed by the recruiting manager. You will initially be invited for a telephone interview and then those that are successful in securing a face to face interview can expect job specific interview assessment, and an opportunity to shadow with one of the team.
Maidstone Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. The Council considers that the successful applicant will have access to the Government’s secure network and will need to have a Baseline Personnel Security Standard check completed. In addition to the normal pre-employment checks this requires a criminal record check for unspent convictions and verification of employment history for the preceding 3 years. Where the 3 years of employment history cannot be verified through the most recent employment reference, you will need to provide a copy of your HMRC PAYE record for the 3-year period and will need to explain the reasons for any gaps in employment.
If you would like to discuss this position, please contact Louise Goodsell, Customer Services Manager on 01622 602655.
Customer Service Advisor in Maidstone employer: Maidstone Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Maidstone Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Customer Service Advisor in Maidstone
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Maidstone Borough Council. Understand their values and services so you can show how you align with their mission during your chat.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Try role-playing common customer service scenarios with a friend. This will help you feel more confident when handling tricky questions or challenging behaviours during the interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Be yourself! When you're in the interview, let your personality shine through. Show them your communication skills and empathy, as these are key for a Customer Service Advisor role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Maidstone Borough Council.
We think you need these skills to ace Customer Service Advisor in Maidstone
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Customer Service Skills: Make sure to highlight your experience in customer service, especially if you've dealt with challenging customers. We want to see how you’ve handled tough situations and what you learned from them!
Be Clear and Concise: When filling out your application, use simple language and get straight to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and keep your sentences short and sweet.
Tailor Your Application: Take a moment to read through the job description and align your skills and experiences with what we’re looking for. Personalising your application shows us that you’re genuinely interested in the role!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Maidstone Borough Council
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the Customer Service Advisor role. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities and the skills required, especially around communication and resilience. This will help you tailor your answers to show how you fit perfectly into the team.
✨Practice Active Listening
During the interview, demonstrate your excellent communication skills by practising active listening. Make sure to listen carefully to the interviewer's questions and respond thoughtfully. This shows that you can engage with customers effectively, which is crucial for the role.
✨Showcase Your Empathy
Since the job involves dealing with challenging customers, be prepared to share examples of how you've handled difficult situations in the past. Highlight your ability to remain calm and professional while using positive language, as this is key to providing great customer service.
✨Be Ready for Role-Play Scenarios
Expect to encounter role-play scenarios during the interview process. These are designed to assess your problem-solving skills and how you handle real-life customer interactions. Practise responding to various customer enquiries and think about how you would adapt your communication style to suit different audiences.
