Your Dream Client Job: Tips for Aspiring Client Services Professional

Client Relations teams are at the core of any organization. In fact , the quality of client service relations can be a make or break factor in the success of any business. As the  face of any business, client service professionals  play a critical role in fostering trust with clients and building robust business relationships. In order to succeed as a client service professional, a number of hard and soft skills are needed to provide effective support to clients. Let’s explore the factors that are required to get started with a career in the dynamic field of client relations. 

1 Client Relations: Is It Right for You?

Before setting out to explore the terrain of client relations or considering a job opening, you would do well to evaluate yourself and your motivations. SInce it is a client-centered job, a preliminary question that arises is whether you are a people person and enjoy a dynamic, fast-paced work setting involving continuous interactions vai call, email or in-person. Job postings give you an overview of what is required for a job in terms of skills and qualifications but having a first -hand account of the nature of the job can be truly insightful.Try reaching out to a client service professional in your network or even cold email someone working in a similar capacity. By asking a number of relevant questions related to their professional journey and the ins and outs of their job, you will have greater clarity as to whether you are cut out for a long-term career in client services. 

2 Building Your Client Relations Resume: Beyond Experience

What sets a  candidate apart is his past job experience and academic credentials and in this case having prior experience in the domain of customer service, support, sales or other public-facing positions is a plus factor. Prospective employers will be looking out for candidates  who have a proven ability to integrate business objectives with customer satisfaction as well as deliver in real-time and under pressure. Don’t be discouraged if your current job profile or studies are not in tune with client relations per se, as there are alternative ways to build your resume. You can opt for  the asynchronous courses offered by online learning platforms edX or Coursera where you can find a reservoir of lectures or assignments in related disciplines like sales , marketing or business development. On the other hand, you can search for any opportunity to work as a volunteer in customer service, sponsorship development or fund-raising so as to gain practical exposure of working in the field.

3. Look out for client-facing job opportunities

The term client relations is quite generic as you are likely to find different names for client facing jobs.  A  variety of client relations jobs have come to assume a number  of iterations based on differing business objectives although the skills set and qualifications remain pretty much the same. A particular job title may refer to specific goals or targets but there are certain core skills in client management that are a prerequisite no matter what the job title including written and verbal communication, quick problem-solving, time management, cross-departmental collaboration, and customer relations management (CRM). In the course of your job search, go for a broad range of job positions like account coordinator, client service, customer specialist, client success, and occasionally customer support. 

4 Fast Track Your Career: Client Relations New Grad Program

For those eager to embark on a career in client relations, there are a number of companies offering accelerated programs for new graduates. These structured rotational programs aim at recruiting candidates as amateurs and provide them with intensive training to prepare them for senior-level roles. Through these programs, individuals gain an in-depth perspective on business operations along with learning from collaborating  with other colleagues on the same journey. Serving as a client serving associate will enable you to expand your skill set that is required to be successful in the workplace. Having acquired the clients service skills including both hard and soft skills, you have a greater chance of progressing to a managerial position in an year or two with ever-increasing possibilities of going up the corporate ladder as a client service professional. 

5 Beyond Client Service: How Your Skills Can Take You Anywhere 

It’s for a fact that there are some individuals who are intrinsically talented to be in client relations while others would have to work to undertake a new career path. Some may be led by interest while others are driven by specific organizational circumstances after having climbed the professional ladder. Working closely with clients won’t restrict you to a client or customer specific field although this constitutes a major advantage if you are keen to advance in this direction. In terms of service delivery, certain skills like problem solving , clear communications, exceptional client relationships,  cash or account management, expertise in creating personalized investment  portfolios augur well for an internal role transfer or an external career transition. Furthermore, a managerial business competence involving organizational skills, math skills, interpersonal skills or people management are viable for across the board hiring in different departments or fields. 

Conclusion 

With these five tips in mind, you are well-equipped to take the initial steps or make that leap in your client services journey. In face of a fast globalizing business environment, a career in client services is set for tremendous growth as virtually every business revolves around some kind of client or customer interaction to boost its competitive potential in the market. Are you looking to launch your client service career in the dynamic city of San Francisco whether as an aspirant or professional ? Get ready to embrace a multitude of possibilities by opting for a well-recognised  staffing agency specializing in jobs hiring San Francisco to secure a rewarding career path in the field of client services.