SingleMothers.us
Customer service jobs for single mothers
Help customers by phone, chat and email. Contact centers often run long hours, so there are shifts to fit many family schedules.
What the job is
Customer service representatives answer questions, sort out problems and take orders for a company’s customers, by phone, chat, email or social media. Most work in a queue, taking the next call or chat as it arrives, with targets for how quickly and how well each one is handled.
The best representatives stay calm with upset callers, explain things simply and keep clear notes, so the next person can pick up where they left off.
Pay
| Measure | Yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10 percent earned less than | $31,750 |
| Median | $44,770 |
| Highest 10 percent earned more than | $63,590 |
The median hourly wage was $21.53. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Training
BLS says customer service representatives typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, and usually receive short on-the-job training lasting 2 to 4 weeks, often alongside an experienced colleague. No license or certificate is usually required, though BLS notes that representatives who give information about finance and insurance may need a state license.
How we screen for customer service roles
How you sound
We talk with you by phone, which is the best test of how you come across on a call.
Systems and typing
We ask which customer systems you have used and, for chat roles, about your typing speed.
Shifts
We confirm the shifts you can keep, including any evenings and weekends, before we introduce you.
Home setup
For remote roles, we check you have a quiet room and the internet connection the employer requires.
Questions about customer service jobs
Do I need experience in customer service?
Not always. BLS says representatives usually get short training on the job, typically 2 to 4 weeks. Experience with customers in retail, food service or reception counts.
Can I take calls from home with my children in the house?
Phone work needs a quiet room for the whole shift, so you would need care in place during your hours. Chat and email roles are sometimes more flexible. We ask employers about their rules first.
Are the shifts the same every week?
It depends on the employer. Some offer fixed shifts, others change them with call volume. Tell us what you need and we look for fixed shifts first.
Tell us the shifts you can take
Send us the days and times you can work, whether you can work from home and your ZIP code. We look for customer service roles that fit.