Customer Service Representatives
Description OES Code: 55335
Interview applicants for water, gas, electric, or telephone service. Talk with customer by phone or in person and receive orders for installation, turn-on, discontinuance, or change in services.

Wages, California
Entry-Level Hourly Wage $9.87
25th Percentile $10.99
50th Percentile $13.70
75th Percentile $17.98

Wages, San Joaquin County
Entry-Level Hourly Wage $8.72
25th Percentile $9.47
50th Percentile $11.55
75th Percentile $16.37

Wages by California County
• OES Survey
• CCOIS Survey

Employment Trends, California
Employment 1998 22,800
Projected Employment 2008 27,000
Percent Change 1998-2008 18.4%
Separations 1998-2008 5,900

Employment Trends, San Joaquin County
Employment 1999 500
Projected Employment 2006 600
Percent Change 1999-2006 20%
Separations 1999-2006 90

Employment Trends by California County

Getting the Job & Other Information
Industries in which customer service representatives may find employment opportunities include the following: Trucking And Warehousing, Trucking & Courier Services, Ex. Air, Communications, Telephone Communication, Cable And Other "Pay TV" Services, Electric, Gas, And Sanitary Services, Electric Services, Gas Production And Distribution, Combination Utility Services, Sanitary Services, Executive, Legislative, And General, and Executive And Legislative Combined.

Education and Training
You may be required to have moderate term on-the-job training to obtain employment in this field. Relevant coursework may include a training program titled Receptionist: An instructional program that prepares individuals to perform public relations duties for a business, organization, or answering service. Includes instruction in telephone answering techniques, responding to information requests, keeping caller and/or visitor records, placing business calls, operating telephone switchboards and/or other communications equipment, relaying incoming and interoffice calls, schedule maintenance, and public relations skills.

For a list of current job listing, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank.

Skills & Other Requirements
Skills and abilities important for customer service representatives include the following: Apply Collection Processes, Apply Industry Terms/Concepts, Apply Intermediate Business Math (Bookkeeping & Budgeting),Determine Special Program Eligibility, Follow/Give Instructions, Interpret/Explain Government/Organization Rules/Policies, Interpret/Relate Regulations, Interview Customers, Keep Records & Maintain Files, Make Appointments, Operate Business Machines, Organize & Work With Detailed Office Or Warehouse Records, Prepare Business Correspondence, Process/Prepare Business/Government Forms, Provide Customer Service, Receive Payments & Make Change, Resolve Conflicts, Use Computer, Use Computer Keyboard, Use Computers To Enter, Access & Retrieve Client Data, Use Correct Grammar, Punctuation & Spelling, Use Word Processing Software, and Work As A Team Member

References
Oregon Labor Market Information System Occupational Information Center

Related Occupations: Order Clerks, Court Clerks, Real Estate Clerks

Training: California Training and Education Providers (CTEP)