Frustrated in my job search since I am told I have no recent front facing customer service skills.....
Hi Folks, I am looking for good old fashioned advice. I have a great deal of experience in the mortgage business. I have been on both sides of the business-both support and direct sales/origination. My most recent background was in operations, not front facing production. For the last 4 years of my time at BB & T, I was actually working in loss mitigation/servicing. Thus, not really recent front facing customer service experience. I do have 12 years of non profit leadership from 2006-present time-all non paid. For 10 years, I was on the board of directors of this non profit, was the treasurer of the group, worked with inside folks and cultivated relationships with our external partners as well-large donors, puppy sponsors (non profit service dog training agency). I have also been a liaision/point of contact with our partner in a joint dog training venture-the Federal Bureau of Prisons. I ran the program for three years, have been a dog trainer with this program since 2006. All of this is front facing interaction with our external partners/relationships/clients/the media/outside presentations/large donors, etc.
How do I parlay this into showing I have recent front facing customer service skills? Been denied several good jobs for that reason. Help!
Believing it is plain old age discrimination at work....
Jane Is it possible to seek a position with one of the organizations that are familiar with your work? It seems all the time and energy you spent working with those organizations should equate to proof of your level of talent. Im not so sure that you shouldn't be looking for a position in upper management seeing as you have the experience described in your post. I would suggest rethink your resume and incorporate any major accomplishments from the previous duties and seek executive positions. Sounds like your selling yourself short.
Im having same problem and i have 17 years customer service experience and cashier experience and 3 years housekeeping experience
I'm not buying the weak excuse they gave provide you. From what you have said about yourself I would hire you for a sales job, You have a great customer facing background. I have a friend who works in the mortgage sales department of a bank in Washington. It's a tuff business. If you have your mortgage license have you tried being a mortgage broker? Review your Resume, Focus it on your strong experience. If you want out of the Mortage business. Have you looked a Wounded Warriors? It may be a good fit.
Hi Jane Harford - that's a great question. I'm surprised that they aren't counting those relationships you fostered at the nonprofit and in the dog training venture as customer service skills. The main thing needed in customer service abilities is being able to understand the needs of the customer, and being friendly and personable. If you were able to work with a range of personalities and cultivate relationships with many stockholders with different needs, I have no doubt you would have excellent customer service skills.
At the end of the day, it's all about being able to talk to people. You've proven through your experience that you can do that, and do that in a way that benefits both your interests and theirs. That's customer service.
I hope this helps!
Hi Jane Harford ! I think the most important thing you can do when addressing a customer service role and the skills you have gained, is showcasing how you helped customers, ensured their satisfaction, etc. The employer wants to make sure you can repeat what you did as well as provide examples of how you ensured great customer service! The key is to know what the employer is looking for. Check out [this article] (https://www.thebalancecareers.com/customer-service-skills-list-2062380) that may help steer you in the right direction! Let me know if you have any questions Jane : )
A magnetic sign? Sure. Decals/stickers...NO WAY!!!