Lifetime skills people forget about

In my opinion, one of job seekers most significant mistakes is overlooking previous work experience and skills that might seem unrelated to their current role. While you don’t need to highlight every skill (like making the perfect sub-sandwich), you must not disregard the valuable customer service experience gained in those roles.

For example, my professional journey began at photo store Kodak ProFoto Center, where customer interactions shaped my skills and personality. To be an effective customer representative and salesperson requires active listening, empathy, and understanding of customer needs. Recognizing the root cause of customer concerns was essential for resolving their issues effectively.

This customer-focused approach has proven invaluable in my current role in Software Quality Assurance. It’s easy to become absorbed in the technical side of software when building/testing it, but stepping back to see the product from the customer’s perspective helps ensure it meets their needs.

Whether addressing a client issue or working through team challenges, viewing each interaction through a customer service lens improves problem resolution and strengthens communication.