If you want to become a chat support agent, there are a few options available to you. You can look for opportunities in the company you like, or you can look for a job on job sites. This can be a good place to start if you’ve never worked in chat support before.
Work-from-home options
There are many work-from-home options to break into the chat support industry. Depending on your level of experience, you can choose from a wide range of industries, such as tech support, medical support, and customer service. Some companies prefer applicants with a background in customer support, and you may want to consider this job opportunity if you have this background. You may be required to make frequent phone calls, but your key responsibilities will revolve around chat support. Work from home positions in chat support are available at companies like TeleTech, which offer flexible schedules and a competitive hourly rate.
Many companies hire online chat agents to help improve the experience of their customers. Some positions can be part-time, but you may also need to work on-site. A successful chat agent is able to multitask and keep up with a fast-paced environment. Often, the amount of requests you complete per shift determines your rating and compensation. Many companies seek out chat agents who have good written communication skills.
Another option is to start a freelance chat support company. This online chat support company will allow you to communicate with customers and bill them for your services. You will be paid per task and can earn anywhere from $50 to $100 a day. The benefits of this work-from-home option are flexible schedules, 100% healthcare coverage, and stock options.
OutPLEX is another company that hires chat agents. The company has locations throughout the U.S., but you must be a US citizen to qualify for a position. OutPLEX positions can be chat-only, or can also include phone support. Another company, TeleTech, also hires Home Associates. Applicants must have a headset and be able to answer phone calls. The company then matches your hours to the company’s needs.
FlexJobs is another great work-from-home option. You can search for part-time and full-time jobs in chat support on the site. Some of the positions may require you to travel to the company’s offices one day a week. Some companies also offer remote positions through sites like Upwork.
Skills needed
There are many skills that are essential to be successful in chat support, from being able to prioritize multiple chats to tackling difficult issues. Successful agents need to be able to research customer accounts, troubleshoot issues, and provide helpful documentation. These skills are especially important when dealing with multiple customers at the same time. Fortunately, there are many chat platforms that offer automated workflows to help agents handle multiple chats.
Good communication skills and the ability to listen are essential for chat support agents. They must be able to convey their messages to the customer in a clear and concise manner. They must also be able to understand the customer’s questions and concerns in a timely manner. It’s important to have excellent communication skills, as a poor first impression of a company can impact business.
Good typing skills are also necessary for chat support agents. This will allow them to respond quickly and avoid errors. A knowledge of keyboard shortcuts is also essential. Agents must also be familiar with the platform and customer database system. While this doesn’t require a high level of computer expertise, it’s helpful to be computer literate. There are training sessions available to assist agents in learning how to use the helpdesk software.
The ability to multitask is another skill that helps chat support agents. They must be able to prioritize multiple requests, extract critical information from chats, and investigate relevant files. They must also navigate different software, adhere to proper protocol, and deliver well-formulated responses. Having this ability will help chat support agents achieve higher customer satisfaction rates and make them more productive.
Good communication skills are another skill that is essential for chat support agents. Being able to write well will allow agents to communicate with customers more effectively. Agents must be able to understand the emotions of their customers and respond appropriately. If agents are unable to recognize emotions of customers, they may end up wasting valuable time and not providing adequate customer service.
An effective live chat support agent must have the ability to empathize with their customers and find the source of their concerns. This emotional sensitivity will help them stay calm and professional while also avoiding getting overwhelmed with problems.
Qualifications
Being personable is a must in chat support roles. This can be achieved through vocal inflection and tonality. This type of job requires people with good communication skills and a positive attitude. Other skills necessary for this job include excellent typing skills and good grammar. In addition, you must be able to understand the customer’s question and respond accordingly. If you’re not able to communicate clearly, this can have a negative impact on the company’s business.
Computer skills are also important. Being able to type quickly and accurately is important for success. You should also be quick to multi-task and be able to assess the situation. It’s a good idea to use templates and shortcuts for your job. This way, you can keep your resources organized.
Good memory is also a must. Live chat operators must remember details of previous conversations and recent messages. If you can remember recent conversations, it’ll be easier for you to respond to conversations. Otherwise, you’ll have to re-read the same conversation over again. Having a good memory also helps you follow protocols better.
Customers prefer brands with good customer support. In fact, 51% of consumers are more likely to purchase from a company that offers live chat support. For these reasons, chat support agents are crucial to the success of your business. Furthermore, trained chat agents can provide added value to your chats and ensure the efficiency of your chat software.
Pay
Using a chat support tool can be a great way to provide live support to your customers. However, you must consider the price of the tool when choosing a provider. You may want to go for an all-in-one solution that includes chat as well as other customer engagement needs. These types of solutions may cost a bit more, but they can offer better value. For example, a chat support tool may be cheaper than using email support.