Career Guidance for the High School Graduate Want a Job in Customer Service and Beyond?: Heartfelt Lessons to Empower You

© 2023 Yvonne Mitchell. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 01/04/2023

ISBN: 978-1-6655-7898-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6655-7897-4 (e)

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CONTENTS

Introduction

What is Customer Service?

Fast Growing Segment of the Job Market

Learn What High School Didn’t Teach You

Extrovert vs Introvert

Best Your Best You

Smiling is Not a Weakness

Job Announcement

The Employment Application

Job Search Resources

The Power of Your Smile

The Interview

In-Person Interview

Telephone Interview

Virtual Interview

Your One-Minute Commercial

Interview Questions

Sample Interview Questions

Questions and Answers (Q&A)

Business Appearance (I Want to be Me)

Work Ethic

Socialization, Not Gossip

Meanness, the Snark

Focus on the Job

Telephone Voice

The Word Track, The Script

Identify Yourself

The Surname

Thank You for Calling

Thank You for Holding

Have a Great Day

Your Attitude

Politeness & Courtesy

Power of Thank You

No Judgment Zone

Self-Evaluation: You According to You

Conclusion

INTRODUCTION

Sometime ago, I asked two impressionable teenagers, What do you want out of life? Their answer, I want a future.

Yes, you want a future. But how can you create a path towards a future of promise without knowing where to start the journey for what you want? What are the steps to take? How do you evolve into adulthood with limited, if any, knowledge, resources and support? Is it attainable?

The so-called rite of passage moment is near beginning for many teenagers to claim a space in the adult world. A scary place in the real world in which you are expected to be a productive adult, get a job, and earn your way through. These new responsibilities can sometimes come without receiving much guidance from your so-called support network, if there was one.

You may be expected to continue your education after high school by attending a university, community college, or trade school. If furthering your education is not in your plans, then it is expected for you to secure a job to support yourself. If living under the roof of your guardian(s) or parent(s), you may have to move out on your own or contribute to the family budget.

Moving on as an adult after high school with minimal skills is challenging to most. The big unknown may cloud your thinking. Where do I start without anyone showing me how to do it? We all need guidance, a mentor, in our life somewhere along the way to help pave a path to a promising future.

First, you must start by finding a job after high school to earn money, have purchasing power. At your high school, there may not have been a class offered in career guidance. During my high school years, there were classes available to students interested in the trades, including courses and workshops in cosmetology, auto mechanics, hospitality and so on. These courses were for those who wanted to pursue a career