How to Cope in a High Pressure Customer Service Job

High pressure jobs are not for everyone. One such job is being a customer service representative. It can often get difficult to cope with irate customers, and there are days when you might feel like walking away from the job. However, there are some things you can do to help you cope with a high pressure customer service job.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Show empathy for irate customers. Explain that you understand their position and that you are willing to do whatever it takes to satisfy them. Be courteous and don't get angry even when the customer is being less than polite.

2. Pass tough calls to a supervisor. Some customers will simply be too hard to deal with on the level of a customer service representative. Send an overly demanding or rude customer on to a supervisor.

3. Take frequent breaks. Walk away from your desk a few times each day. Let your voicemail take a few calls, if necessary, or get a co-worker to cover the phone for you. Take a ten-minute walk or go do some deep-breathing exercises or other relaxation techniques.

4. Focus on the good things about being in a customer service job. Not every phone call or day will go bad. Think about the non-stressful elements of the job. Concentrating only on the negative will bring you down mentally and physically.

5. Look to your co-workers for support. Remember, there are others in the customer service department going through the same things you are experiencing--band together to cope with the pressure of the job.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to laugh about a particularly stressful experience after it happens.
• Surround yourself with pictures and other items that make you feel better.
• Don't internalize whatever an irate customer might say to you.
• Don't take the job home with you.
• Don't let the complaints and problems of other customer service representatives wear you down.