One of the most accessible remote job options right now is customer service. 

You don’t need to have a fancy degree or equipment to start. 

If you can communicate clearly, stay calm under pressure and be empathetic, you’re halfway there already. 

For many Nigerians, the idea of working from home never seemed feasible. Now, more and more Nigerians are slowly leaning towards remote opportunities. 

In this post, we’ll look at what remote customer service jobs are, why they’re worth exploring, where you can find them and how to position yourself properly to land one. 

Let’s get started. 

What Is A Remote Customer Service Job?

First of all, let’s look at the term “customer service”. 

Customer service is the assistance and support you offer to your customers before, during and after they purchase a product or service. This assistance helps to improve customer experience and satisfaction. When done right, customer service can be the key to retaining and attracting customers to your business. 

In essence, a remote customer service job is a role where an individual helps customers solve their problems, answer their questions and guide them through the buying journey, all from the comfort of their home. 

Many business owners need people who can handle customer inquiries with patience and professionalism. As long as you’re great on the job, your location doesn’t matter. 

Benefits Of Remote Customer Service Jobs

Flexible working hours. 

Working from home makes it easier to balance work and family without burning out. Moreover, many remote customer service roles come with shifts that create room for personal growth. 

Opportunities beyond Nigeria. 

Working remotely as a customer service agent means that you’re not just limited to jobs within the country. You can apply for jobs outside Nigeria and get paid in foreign currency. 

Low barrier entry. 

Starting out as a customer service agent is great if you’re looking to become a full-time remote worker. It helps you build certain soft skills such as communication, problem-solving and people skills. 

Skills You Need To Become A Remote Service Customer Agent

Becoming a customer service agent requires certain soft skills that will help you navigate your role properly and help you become one of the best in the field. Let’s look at a few of those skills.

Empathy 

Your ability to put yourself in the customer’s shoes is a skill most people strive to learn. This one skill is what separates an average agent from an excellent one. 

Good communication/ listening skills

This one is a non-negotiable skill. As a customer service agent, you need to be able to speak clearly and listen attentively. Customers want to feel heard and understood, and your ability to do both sets you apart. 

Patience 

Working a remote customer service job means that you’ll meet all kinds of people. Both the easy-going ones and the ones that will test your patience. Your ability to stay calm under pressure is an essential part of the job. 

Time management skills

As a customer service agent, time should be your best friend. Whether it’s responding to customers’ queries, answering emails or resolving complaints, your ability to be prompt and meet deadlines can help the company retain customers. 

Basic tech skills. 

Take courses on platforms like YouTube. Get conversant with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools such as Zendesk and Freshdesk. 

A willingness to learn. 

Be adaptable and flexible. Have an open mind to learning and grow with any organization you work with. 

Where To Find Remote Customer Service Jobs As A Nigerian

We’ve looked at what remote customer service jobs are, their benefits and the skills required to be excellent at one. One very important question remains: “Where do I find these remote jobs”? Let’s look at some platforms where you can find legit remote customer service roles.

LinkedIn- Remote customer service jobs

This is not just a social media platform. It’s a professional platform that connects both B2B and B2C marketers all around the world. In addition, this platform can also be used to network and find jobs. Use the search bar to find and apply for jobs that suit your role. 

Pro tip: Optimize your profile as a customer service agent, connect with industry experts and potential clients on the platform. Also, share your journey as this helps to build trust and authority. 

Upwork

One of the most popular freelancing platforms where clients post remote jobs daily. Set up your profile showing what you do and how you do it. Look out for jobs on your feed or search for them using the search bar. Send personalized proposals and wait for feedback. 

Indeed

This is another job board that connects freelancers with clients. As a customer service agent, you can set up an account on this platform and be on the lookout for jobs. 

NOTE: There are many freelancing platforms out there, but one very important key to getting hired is being loud about what you do. In essence, let everyone around you—family, friends, colleagues. Let them know what you do. More than that, take professional courses and become an expert in your field. 

Tips To Help You Get Hired For Remote Customer Service Jobs. 

Take free online courses. 

You can utilize LinkedIn learning, Hubspot or Allison for this. Take courses and get comfortable with basic customer service tools. 

Apply for internships 

 Source for internships or volunteer roles that will help you gain hands-on experience. Work for a friend or source out for people to work for on platforms like LinkedIn. 

Build a strong CV. 

Create a CV dedicated to your role as a customer service agent. Include your experience in your CV to increase your chances of getting hired. 

Build a portfolio. 

Using the experience you’ve gotten, build a portfolio that sets you apart as an expert in your field. 

Conclusion- Remote Customer Service Jobs

Remote jobs have moved from being a dream to becoming a reality. However, the key to a remote customer service job that pays well is consistency, persistence and a willingness to become the best. 

Bookmark this post and share it with your friends or colleagues who are interested in becoming customer service agents.

Drop your questions or comments in the comment section.