Most jobs require at least a high school diploma. Employers provide training to workers before they begin serving customers.
Most customer service representative jobs require a high school diploma. However, because employers are demanding a more skilled work force, some customer service jobs now require associate or bachelor's degrees. High school and college level courses in computers, English or business are helpful in preparing for a job in customer service.
Training requirements vary by industry. Almost all customer service representatives are provided with some training prior to beginning work. This training generally focuses on the company and its products, the most commonly asked questions, the computer and telephone systems they will be using and basic people skills. Length of training varies, but often lasts several weeks. Some customer service representatives are expected to update their training regularly. This is particularly true of workers in industries such as banking, in which regulations and products are continually changing.