When applying for a customer service position, you’d want to let your recruiter know how much of a people-person you are. Identifying some people skills is vital to help you make the cut and eventually land the customer service position that you desire.

Being a customer service representative (CSR) requires patience and the basic product or service know-how. You have to patiently attend to your client’s concerns and must have the ability to answer questions about the brand you are representing.

If you plan to apply for this position, here is a list containing must-have skills of a model CSR.

Effective Communication Skills – An effective communicator should not only know how to talk and listen well. He should also be good at understanding and identifying his clients’ needs and wants. Your communication, be it verbal or written, should be professional as you are not just presenting yourself but also the entity of the company you will be working for.

Positive Attitude – A positive approach on any type of situation will help improve even the most difficult client’s scenario. A CSR’s job is to provide solutions and answers; thus, a positive attitude is a must.

Assertive Approach – Knowing how to be assertive without being too pushy or offensive gives you the capacity to take control of any situation between you and the clients you are helping.

Empathetic – Knowing how to empathize with a difficult client can help you relate to the situation and figure out the best and most convenient solution. Remember that clients will want someone who will understand what they are going through and be able to provide a solution to their problem.

Responsible – Taking ownership of a situation is what best shows how responsible a CSR is. As much as possible, a CSR must be able to resolve the problem at hand without the need of transferring the client to another person.

Solution-Oriented – This type of person will always be geared towards finding answers to a problem. In applying for a CSR post, you must be able to demonstrate this ability and explain how you are able to create and get a hold of solutions to other people’s difficulties.

Humorous – A little sense of humor can go a long way in improving the feel of a tensed situation with a client. If your customer calls in and is on the verge of being irate, some laughter can lighten the issue and improve the mood of the client.

If you try searching for an example of customer service resume online, you will find these skills listed. These items can help improve your chances in getting hired for a customer service position.