How to hire a customer support professional

How to hire a customer support professional, step by step

Here's a step-by-step customer support professional hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a customer support professional job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new customer support professional
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a customer support professional, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a customer support professional to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a customer support professional that fits the bill.

   This list presents customer support professional salaries for various positions.

   Type of Customer Support Professional	Description	Hourly rate
   Customer Support Professional	Customer service representatives interact with customers to handle complaints, process orders, and provide information about an organization’s products and services.	$9-29
   Support	A support employee is responsible for assisting the business operations and responding to customers' inquiries and concerns regarding its goods and services. Support logs all customers' interaction and escalates potential complaints to the appropriate department... Show more	$11-25
   Customer Leader	A customer leader is responsible for providing the highest customer service by addressing customers' inquiries and concerns and resolving complaints timely and efficiently. Customer leaders handle a team of customer service staff, requiring them to monitor their performance and maximize their productivity by organizing training to improve customer service skills... Show more	$38-77

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Calls
   • Inbound Calls
   • Chat Support
   • Computer Software
   • Customer Inquiries
   • Desk Support
   • Customer Satisfaction
   • Technical Support
   • Customer Interaction
   • Troubleshoot
   • Outbound Calls
   • Technical Troubleshooting
   • Customer Issues
   • Windows

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage high volume weekly consultant payroll using PeopleSoft.
   • Collaborate with customers by phones and onsite to troubleshoot applications and document solutions for development of complex system requirements.
   • Support an inventory logistics application develop by the company and used by various companies to track inventory in warehouses.
   • Check the cell phone throughout the shift for voice messages when acting as a CSR.
   • Support large business customers by resolving issues with phones, modems, direct connect devices, and mobile broadband components.
   • Monitor complaint database assign customers grievances to designate department or CSR for further investigation and resolution.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your customer support professional job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A customer support professional salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, customer support professionals' average salary in mississippi is 55% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level customer support professionals earn 67% less than senior-level customer support professionals.
   • Certifications. A customer support professional with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a customer support professional's salary.

   Average customer support professional salary

   $35,003yearly

   $16.83 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level customer support professional salary

   $20,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 16, 2026

4. Writing a customer support professional job description

   A good customer support professional job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a customer support professional job description:

   Customer support professional job description example

   2-3 years of experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities preferred; at least one year planning, coordinating, and implementing activities

   Position is conditional on possessing /obtaining a Broker Authorization Number from New York State (Broker training may be provided post hire)

   KNOWLEDGE and SKILLS

   Ability to work both independently or as part of a team

   Sound decision making skills and judgment; ability to perform job tasks as required with minimal supervision

   Good verbal communication skills and ability to adapt communication style to meet the needs of individuals served

   Good written communication skills and efficient use of technology

   Ability to use Microsoft Office Suite, (specifically EXCEL), and other software platforms, as required by Fiscal Intermediary

   Ability to learn and understand all services provided through OPWDD, as they may relate to Self-Direction budgets and advocacy for individuals served.

   Compassionate and caring

   Ability to lift, push, pull and move at least 50 lbs.

   OTHER REQUIREMENTS

   Requires a valid NYS Driver’s License that meets Company standards; requires proof of NYS minimum insurance coverage.

   Requires clearance through a Background Check process that will include, but is not limited to, clearance through the NYS Justice Center, the Office of People with Development Disabilities (OPWDD), the NYS Office of Child and Family Services, and the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles.

   WORKING CONDITIONS

   Job assignments may take place indoors and outdoors and require travel to various community locations, in various environmental conditions including rain, snow and cold weather.

   PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

   Job-related physical abilities an individual must possess in order to perform the job in a satisfactory manner. In some cases accommodations may be made in accordance with JM Murray policy and with our mission.

   0-24 %

   25 -49 %

   50 -74 %

   75 –100 %

   Standing/Walking/Mobility: Must be able to stand to operate equipment; mobility to embark and disembark from equipment.

   X

   Environmental Conditions: Must be able to work in an environment that includes, but is not limited to noise, cold, heat and odors.

   X

   External Conditions: Must be able to work in a position requiring exposure to the weather conditions.

   X

   Lifting: Must be able to lift unaided, at least 10lbs

   X

   Must be able to lift unaided, from 11-30lbs

   X

   Must be able to lift unaided, from 31-70lbs

   X

   Must be able to lift unaided, from 71-100lbs

   Must be able to lift unaided, over 100lbs

   Manipulating /Grasping/Feeling: Must be able to write, type, and use office and/or other equipment and handle materials.

   X

   I have reviewed this job description and I am able to perform the essential functions as outlined. I have discussed any questions I may have about this job description prior to signing this document.

   ___________________________________________________________

   PRINT NAME

   ___________________________________________________________ _______________________

   SIGNATURE DATE

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right customer support professional for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your customer support professional job on Zippia to find and recruit customer support professional candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit customer support professionals, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new customer support professional

   Once you've selected the best customer support professional candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new customer support professional. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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