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What is a customer relations representative and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Sally Hiott B.S. MBA, DBA
introduction image

A customer relations representative is someone who interacts with customers to address their concerns, resolve issues, and maintain positive relationships. They act as the primary point of contact for customers and are responsible for ensuring their satisfaction with a product or service. Customer relations representatives are skilled in communication and conflict resolution. They work in various industries, including retail, healthcare, and hospitality. Customer relations representatives play a crucial role in building brand loyalty and maintaining customer satisfaction.

What general advice would you give to a customer relations representative?

Sally Hiott B.S. MBA, DBA

Assistant Professor of Marketing, Charleston Southern University

Show employers how you would not only fill an open position regarding the work at hand, but show them how you would be an asset to their team. We are in very team driven work environments currently, and hiring managers want to know what you can bring to the table. Filling a void is great for the workload, but enhancing a team culture makes them not want to work without you!
ScoreCustomer Relations RepresentativeUS Average
Salary
3.0

Avg. Salary $38,632

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
5.9

Growth rate -4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
9.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.74%

Asian 6.27%

Black or African American 11.46%

Hispanic or Latino 20.28%

Unknown 5.44%

White 55.81%

Gender

female 70.23%

male 29.77%

Age - 39
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39
Stress level
5.9

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
6.6

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.5

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a customer relations representative?

Pros

  • Opportunity to help and make a difference for customers

  • Opportunities for bonuses and incentives based on performance

  • Access to company resources and information

  • Flexibility in scheduling and work hours

  • Exposure to a diverse range of customers and situations

Cons

  • Constant pressure to meet performance metrics and quotas

  • Difficult conversations with angry or upset customers

  • Potential for burnout and emotional exhaustion

  • Need to maintain a professional demeanor at all times

  • Limited control over company policies or procedures

Customer relations representative career paths

Key steps to become a customer relations representative

  1. Explore customer relations representative education requirements

    Most common customer relations representative degrees

    Bachelor's

    51.1 %

    Associate

    20.1 %

    High School Diploma

    17.4 %
  2. Start to develop specific customer relations representative skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Customer Relations10.03%
    Customer Complaints7.81%
    Team-Oriented Environment6.96%
    Propane5.55%
    Customer Retention5.51%
  3. Complete relevant customer relations representative training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New customer relations representatives learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a customer relations representative based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real customer relations representative resumes.
  4. Research customer relations representative duties and responsibilities

    • Lead upselling program initiatives that elevate company revenue.
    • Manage software maintenance renewal partner and assist with upselling additional and higher functionality licenses to increase revenue.
    • Monitor and coach CRA'S on calls to meet the clients expectations.
    • Demonstrate superb organizational and multitasking abilities
  5. Prepare your customer relations representative resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your customer relations representative resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a customer relations representative resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable customer relations representative resume templates

    Build a professional customer relations representative resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your customer relations representative resume.
    Customer Relations Representative Resume
    Customer Relations Representative Resume
    Customer Relations Representative Resume
    Customer Relations Representative Resume
    Customer Relations Representative Resume
    Customer Relations Representative Resume
    Customer Relations Representative Resume
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    Customer Relations Representative Resume
    Customer Relations Representative Resume
    Customer Relations Representative Resume
    Customer Relations Representative Resume
    Customer Relations Representative Resume
    Customer Relations Representative Resume
    Customer Relations Representative Resume
    Customer Relations Representative Resume
  6. Apply for customer relations representative jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a customer relations representative job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first customer relations representative job

Zippi

Are you a customer relations representative?

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Average customer relations representative salary

The average customer relations representative salary in the United States is $38,632 per year or $19 per hour. Customer relations representative salaries range between $29,000 and $50,000 per year.

Average customer relations representative salary
$38,632 Yearly
$18.57 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do customer relations representatives rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Customer relations representative reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2024
Pros

remote job, more schedule flexibility

Cons

very low salary, no career growth, very stressful and not rewarding


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A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2022
Pros

I resolved consumer and retailer questions. That is gratifying.

Cons

I don't like when a rep or a consumer are not interested in a solution, but are only interested in venting. Although, venting maybe just what the consumer needed.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2020
Pros

Caring to the customer issues is what I do like first and the other thing it is a job that show determination level on the duty.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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