If you are also asking, ‘Is consumer services a good career path,’ then you are not alone. With diverse career paths available today to youths and prospective job seekers, asking this kind of question is not uncommon.
But if you are the type that enjoys helping and meeting new people, then you might find it interesting picking a career path in consumer services. The field is majorly about providing assistance and support to consumers. Because of the important role this industry plays, they are often considered the life wire of any business.
Working in the industry means you can work in a variety of settings, including banks, hospitals, retail stores, schools, and many other types of businesses. If you have been struggling with making a decision whether to pick a career path in consumer services or don’t even know what consumer services is all about in the first place, this post will help.
The post will show you some perks of working in the field, as well as some of its downsides. You will also see the requirements for getting a job here and what the job outlook for the industry looks like.
First, What Are Consumer Services?
Consumer services is an industry that involves helping people with product or service-related issues. The field is often the life wire of most businesses. Consumer service can include everything from answering customers’ questions to meeting new customers and knowing how best to satisfy them.
Whether working in the customer service representative department, in retail stores, or in other sectors of a business, someone working in the industry is always focused on improving customer experience.
That means a worker in the field needs interpersonal skills, such as strong communication and problem-solving skills, to succeed in the industry. They also need to be calm and know how to handle difficult customer situations.
Is Consumer Services A Good Career Path?
The short answer is yes! Consumer services is a lucrative industry for anyone to pursue a career path. The industry has so many flexible options that allow you to work wherever you want and according to your schedule. It is super easy to enter the industry, and pay is really encouraging.
While some people use customer service jobs to springboard into different careers, others just simply enjoy working in the industry, helping people, and promoting businesses. There are many career opportunities there, many of which will allow you to work from anywhere and on your own schedule.
So, if you enjoy working with people – meeting new people and helping them solve their different problems. A job in the consumer services industry will be a perfect place to pick a career.
How Many Jobs Are Available In Consumer Services?
Before jumping into any industry to pick a career path, you will need to consider the job outlook of such an industry. The consumer services industry is not an exception. However, the job outlook for consumer services is really positive, with many jobs projected to be added in the coming years.
Jobs in the industry are projected to grow by 11% between 2018 and 2028. Now that more and more businesses are springing up and many are moving online, the demand for customer service representatives will definitely increase over the coming years.
Also, as the economy continues to improve, businesses will need more employees to handle customers to increase sales and drive revenue up. That means salesperson jobs are also expected to increase. So, it is safe to say the job outlook for the consumer services industry is very positive, with strong growth expected in many different positions.
Career Opportunities in Consumer Services
There are many different career opportunities in the consumer services industry. Some of these careers may include working in customer service, sales, marketing, or even management. With the right skills and experience, you can find a great job in this field that offers good pay and benefits.
1. Customer service representative
One of the most common career paths in consumer services is working in customer service. This can involve working in a call center, retail store, or online. Customer service representatives help customers with their questions or concerns. They may also process orders and returns or provide information about products and services.
2. Sales representative
Sales representatives work with customers to sell products or services. They may work in a retail store, call center, or online. They may also work for a company that provides services, such as home security or cell phone service.
3. Customer service engineer
If you’re looking for a career in consumer services, this might be the job for you. Customer service engineers are responsible for providing support to customers who have questions or problems with a product or service. They also help solve problems related to billing, payment processing, and other areas of business operations.
Customer Service Engineers typically work in call centers where they receive calls from customers and provide information about products or services offered by companies like banks or insurance providers.
4. Account manager
The account manager is responsible for managing the relationship between the company and its customers. This person is in charge of keeping track of sales, maintaining customer relations, and ensuring that you are doing what you need to do to stay competitive.
In other words, an account manager is considered a people manager because he or she must be able to manage multiple aspects of his or her job (management skills).
5. Guest service agent
A guest service agent is a person who helps guests with their travel needs. They can be found in airports, hotels, or other businesses such as restaurants and movie theaters. Guest service agents are trained to understand customer needs and provide them with the information they need in order to make good decisions about their next trip or event.
They must be able to work well under pressure because there may be high levels of traffic during busy periods, such as holidays. It’s important for guest service agents to have strong communication skills, especially when dealing with difficult customers who have been difficult from the start!
6. Bank teller
A bank teller is a person who assists customers with their banking needs. Bank tellers may also be responsible for helping customers with such things as opening and closing accounts and transferring money between accounts.
7. Hotel concierge
A hotel concierge is a person who works at the front desk at a hotel to help guests with their needs. Hotel concierges are responsible for helping guests with all aspects of their stay, including checking in and out, answering questions, and providing directions.
They may also be responsible for booking spa appointments, arranging airport transfers, or solving other problems that arise during a guest’s stay.
8. Flight attendant
Flight attendants are employed by airlines and provide food, drink, and other amenities to passengers on their flights. They also ensure that the safety of passengers is their priority in all situations.
9. Receptionist
If you are working as a receptionist, you are responsible for welcoming and greeting customers, answering their questions, and directing them to the right person. Your job also involves maintaining relationships with your clients through email communication or phone calls. It’s important that you maintain good customer relations so they’ll keep coming back!
What Is the Average Salary of a Worker In Consumer Services?
If you are asking if you should go into consumer services, we believe one of the major determinants will be pay. Interestingly, jobs in the field pay well. You can make a decent earning working in the consumer industry even with enough time to focus on other things aside from work. In 2017, the average salary of a consumer services professional was $40,000, which was above the national average of $33,590. And BLS already predicted that by 2024, the average salary of a worker in this field would be around $48,500.
Although salary will depend on the job title and what you do, you can expect to earn a decent salary working in this industry because the demand for more personalized service by businesses and consumers will continue to increase. Additionally, many Consumer Services jobs require little or no experience, so you can easily get started on your career journey if you are interested in this field.
What Is the Education Requirement for a Career There?
Well, if you are asking to know what the education requirement for getting a job in consumer services is, then you should know that it varies from one job to another. The requirement will greatly depend on the specific industry you are interested in. However, many consumer services careers generally require a college education.
There are many entry-level positions there that may not require a degree. But some of them will require that you have a bachelor’s degree or higher. However, you can also get an associate’s degree in consumer services or a vocational training program to land yourself a job in the industry.
Additionally, you will also need some additional training and experience to make yourself a better fit for jobs in the industry. Many entry-level positions will only require basic skills and knowledge, but many positions will require you to have prior customer service experience, especially ones where you will need to be working with customers face-to-face.
How to Choose the Right Consumer Services Career?
If you’re interested in the consumer services career path, you already know that there are many different options. But what’s the best one for you?
Think about what interests you
The first step is to think about what interests you. If you love working with people, you might consider being a social worker or a counselor. If you enjoy working with numbers, consider becoming an accountant or financial analyst.
Consider your skills and abilities
Are you good at writing? Can you type fast or take detailed notes? Are your organizational skills up to par? Do you have good communication skills? What about problem-solving skills? Can you deal with clients who are difficult or upset?
Determine what type of consumer services career is right for you
Not everyone wants to work in retail stores or restaurants or even be a cashier! Some people want careers that focus on serving customers at home, like home health aides or personal care aides (PCAs). Others prefer jobs where they can help people with disabilities get around using wheelchairs or walkers – like physical therapists and occupational therapists (OTs). And there are plenty of other possibilities!
Seeks out advice from professionals, family, and friends.
It’s also helpful to ask friends and family members what they think about certain careers before making decisions based on their advice alone. They may have unique insights into their own experiences that can help guide yours!
Final Note
The short answer is yes! Consumer services is a great career path for you if:
- You want to work with people and help them achieve their goals.
- You have a passion for helping people get what they want, and you enjoy helping them learn how to do it themselves.
- You’re not afraid of hard work and long hours.
The long answer is that consumer services can be really rewarding, but it’s also challenging, and it takes time to build up your skills and reputation among others in the industry. If you’re looking for a career that will give you experience working with other people on a daily basis, this is definitely a good place to start.
