Graduate Management Trainee - Gloucester / Cheltenham
Enterprise Mobility
Competitive
South West, Gloucester
As of December 2024 the average starting salary for Customer Service graduates is £27648. The average graduate starting salary in the UK in 2024 is £29678.
The latest graduate salary analysis 2024
During the past 12 months (2024), the most number of graduate jobs in the Customer Service sector were posted during March and December, so these may be the most strategic months to apply.
Based on our data, graduate-jobs.com would suggest that it's "challenging" to get a graduate job in the Customer Service sector compared to some other industry sectors - December 2024.
The Customer Service sector does not appear in our Top 10 most popular sectors list for UK graduates. We don't consider it a popular career choice for graduates in the UK .
Which are the most popular industry sectors for graduates today?
Customer Service offers many excellent and fast-moving careers, and most graduates leave university with all the skills needed to excel. The Customer Service sector crosses over with other sectors such as Sales, Retail and Management.
Management schemes in Customer Service are popular and widely available for graduates from an array of degree backgrounds. Specific degrees are often not required, as employers value the intelligence and commitment necessary to complete a degree more than specialist knowledge. However, a relevant degree may be an advantage for certain positions.
Each customer and position is different, and there is no set routine for dealing with customers or clients. The best Customer Service workers understand how to approach different people and meet a variety of needs.
Certain skills will set candidates ahead:
Many part-time jobs held by graduates while at university will have equipped them with the skills required for Customer Service. Bar or restaurant work, work in a retail shop, hospitality and many more positions are relevant to the Customer Service industry. Candidates should make sure to clearly note any work experience in applications and demonstrate how they can apply the skills learned across different fields within Customer Service.
Understanding the customer involves understanding the brand and what the company can offer. For example, a company like Majestic Wine manages wholesale wine shops which require expert insight into their products. The typical Majestic Wine customer might be buying wine for an event or occasion, or looking to try a wine they don't know much about. A candidate should aim to show employers that they understand the specific needs of the customer, and how those needs relate to the brand.
Sales and Retail are the two most common areas in the Customer Service sector. An understanding of the processes and functions behind Sales and Retail will help a candidate get noticed and onto the fast-track for a Managerial role. Candidates should be sure to highlight any previous experience in these areas.
Dealing with customers requires many types of communication, including face-to-face, over the phone, over email and other written channels. Candidates should maintain a friendly, helpful and knowledgeable demeanour and show employers that they are able to communicate confidently about products and services. Clarity of expression, an appropriate tone and a sensitive approach are all key to good Customer Service.
It is important that candidates are able to build and maintain relationships with customers and clients. Many Customer Service roles require establishing long-term relationships, and graduates should show employers that they are capable of tailoring the service they offer in order to meet the specific needs and interests of the customers.