At a Glance
- Tasks: Support customers at the service desk and assist the Garden Centre Manager.
- Company: Join a family-owned garden centre group focused on employee happiness.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, generous holiday, bonuses, and a pension plan.
- Other info: Opportunities for learning and development in a supportive team.
- Why this job: Be the friendly face of customer service in a vibrant environment.
- Qualifications: Great communication skills and a passion for helping others.
The predicted salary is between 18900 - 23100 £ per year.
Your primary responsibility will be to provide professional support to the Customer Service Desk. Working closely with the Garden Centre Manager to help the department succeed.
Rota: Every Monday and Friday 09:00-18:00, alternate Tuesdays and Thursdays 09:00-18:00 with alternate weekends Saturday 09:00-18:00 and Sunday 09:00-17:30
Main duties and responsibilities:
- Manning the customer service desk
- Dealing with customers as first point of contact
- Telephone management
- Providing advice to customers
- Supporting the customer service desk supervisor in day-to-day running of the desk
To be successful in this role, we are looking for people who embody our ethos of friendliness, helpfulness, and good customer service.
Rewards & Benefits:
- Employee Discount: 50% in Restaurants and 20% in Garden Centre on joining, increasing to 25% after 2 years’ service and 30% after 5 years’ service.
- Holiday: 5.6 weeks on joining increasing to 6.2 weeks after 2 years’ service and 6.6 weeks after 5 years’ service.
- Bonus: Non-contractual bonus at Christmas, based on the profit of the company in any financial year.
- Pension: Defined Contribution Pension Plan available to new employees.
- Attendance: After one year's service, if you have 100% attendance, one day holiday (pro-rata) will be added to your holiday grant as a 'Thank you'.
- Made A Difference Scheme (M.A.D): A reward scheme for team members who make a difference through outstanding customer service.
- Learning & Development: Opportunities to enhance and develop skills and confidence.
- Birthday: After 6 months service, if your birthday falls on your contracted day to work, you can leave work early. If you have 2 years service on your birthday, you will receive a £25 Squires gift voucher.
- Cycle2work scheme: After 1 year's service, offers a saving on new cycling equipment.
- Child's first day at school: After 1 year's service, come in late and go home early on your child's first day of school.
- RHS Membership or a Tree / Shrub: After 1 year's service, choose either one tree or shrub to plant each year or £50 towards RHS annual membership.
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP): After 2 years service, access to a range of wellbeing resources.
- Retirement: After 15 years service, contracted hours will be reduced by a fifth but pay will remain the same for final 3 months.
- Free Parking: Available to all employees in designated parking areas.
Customer Service Desk - Assistant in Thames Ditton employer: Squire's Garden Centres
Squires Garden Centres in Wokingham is an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture where customer service excellence is at the heart of everything we do. With flexible part-time hours and a focus on employee growth, we provide opportunities for staff to develop their skills in a supportive environment, making it a rewarding place to work for those passionate about enhancing guest experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Customer Service Desk - Assistant in Thames Ditton
✨Get to Know the Company Culture
Before jumping into applications, it’s super helpful to understand the vibe at Squire's Garden Centres. 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 Squire's Garden Centres 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 Desk - Assistant in Thames Ditton
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 Squire's Garden Centres:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Tell us why you want to work at Squire's Garden Centres 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 Squire's Garden Centres!
How to prepare for a job interview at Squire's Garden Centres
✨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.
