Charliene McWeeny
Staff Writer

In a single hour one could meet 20 new people and in a week they could meet hundreds. The same thing applies to customer service representatives. As the times change, people change with it, and in today’s world there’s change that causes an instant attitude perspective on what just happened.

A customer service consultant’s job is to tend to the questions and concerns at hand by a customer. In just about every job position people will probably have a moment when they are asked for help by a customer or at least be around and in the presence of customers.

In any case, their first priority is the customer. The first thing they notice is appearance and facial expressions. So when people look like they have poor hygiene or glare at a customer, whether on purpose or because they don’t want to put up with them at the moment and in a rush.

They react to that, or in a better understanding they’ll judge them for that. The easiest ways to keep this from happening is:

• Look professional or excuse yourself for your appearance
• Smile
• Help or try to answer the question
• Politely tell them you’re in the middle of something and redirect them to someone else (when busy)
• And always look them in the eyes while listening or speaking to them

People tend to see this as polite and will be more patient and understanding with them, when people take the time to acknowledge the customers or take time away from what they were doing to help. There’s a greater chance that they will leave a compliment with the manager and look forward to the next time they come into that business.

Although when employees act in other ways such as:

• Look sloppy or unkempt
• Frown or glare
• Answer the customers questions quick and in annoyance
• Reply with, “I can help you,” or “that’s not my job.”
• Don’t take the time to look up stuff

Customers see this as unprofessional and rude. These are the times when customers might come back at employees with attitude. In some cases maybe even yelling because that’s how they feel like they’re being treated and in a sense “return the favor.” It’s even more likely they write a complaint about the worker and refuse to return for further business with them.