Customer service.. where to go now

[Beansprout30]

So I've basicallly only ever known customer service roles but I'd really like a change, unfortunately I don't have any qualifications and I just feed at a bit of a dead end. The longer I stay in my current job, the lower my confidence is falling.

I'm hoping to get pregnant so I can go on maternity leave again but after I'd really like to move on. Any advice on what I could move into with only customer service experience?

Is there scope to move to a different role within your area of work? For example, if you work in retail, could you look at applying for jobs as a buyer or some other head office role?

Could you afford to take online courses either now or during maternity leave?

Another option is to browse online job websites to see if anything takes your fancy. You might be surprised how many jobs you could do with your customer service experience. If not, it would at least give you an idea what you might like to do.

I guess I have admin and supervisory experience too, unfortunately there isn't much to move into at my current workplace other than account management and working to targets puts me off this.

You need to be prepared to reskill. Without some personal investment of time/effort, you can't expect to move into something different when you'll be up against candidates who already have knowledge and experience (and possibly formal qualifications).

Use the time you are on pg leave to explore job specs on sites like Indeed.com and when you find roles you like, think about how you can reshape your existing skills and work experience to be aligned to the new roles, using your CV as your marketing tool. Do some online courses, research what skills you need.

Registering with agencies a few months before you want to change gives some lead time to get interview practice (probably after having your baby?)

Hi Beansprout you are in a similar predicament to me. Customer service roles are all I've ever known. You seem to get that type of job and can't get out again. I'd been in customer service based jobs for over 20 years. I've been told that I'm good at it, which is nice to know, but it's something I just don't want to do any more. We moved to another part of the country last year so I left my job - and although I've pottered around doing warehouse work since moving (can be boring but the time goes quickly) it's ok as I'm learning to do something else myself (something I actually want to do) - and once I'm qualified that's what I'm going to do. I don't miss customer service work at all, and fully agree on retraining when you can. Good luck.

What kind of think do you fancy? Another office based role? Something else entirely?

THING^

Think about your skillset and what transferable skills you have. Dealing with the public is a skill you can take to any role as it shows people management skills, conflict resolution skills, being able to put on a smile when you're feeling unwell or upset about something etc.

Also have a look at Futurelearn, they do free online courses and you could eg do a management course on there.

Universities are increasingly hiring people with customer service experience to deal with students, and they often pay for people to do courses and qualifications whilst on the job. Have you thought about that?

have you thought about an operator for the emergency services? All my experience was in customer service and I got a job as a fire control operator taking emergency calls 15 years ago. Good salary and benefits but it's shifts. Would highly recommend it!

You could try the open university I'm currently doing a degree (with no entry requirements) to change careers. You can get a student loan to cover too

Thank you all for your replies, the trouble is, I just don't know what I'd like to do. I don't really like office work anymore, since having a baby of my own I like the idea of midwifery or health visitor but it just seems so far out of reach. I can't really afford to pay to retrain, let alone find the time especially as my husband works away during the week.

I hate to sound negative but I just don't really know where to start

I was exactly the same Beansprout , didn't want to stay in an office any more. Sometimes the grass isn't always greener unfortunately either. I have a friend who was an accounts' assistant and hated it. She had no luck with trying to find a new job and decided to become a carer (visiting the elderly in their own homes) and loves it. She fits it around her home life as she wants. I'm not saying you should do that, but it's very handy and inexpensive for a change of career.

That's true about the grass not always being greener. I did used to enjoy my job but since I returned from maternity leave and my cover has basically filled my shoes, I just feel irrelevant there now and losing confidence fast

@newbienetter what are you studying and retraining to be?

Have you considered looking into being a healthcare assistant or something similar? Lots of different departments need assistants, dont usually require high qualifications and you could get a feel for if nursing is the thing for you

Beansprout I understand how you feel about thinking you're irrelevant - I can assure you you're aren't though. What about a teaching assistant? You might need to volunteer a little bit at a school first(seems what some people do anyway), but with the people skills you'll have from your jobs and experience it gives you might be a great fit.