Do you enjoy dealing with customers and meeting customer expectations? If that’s the case, maybe a career in the consumer field will suit you. You can work as a cashier, flight attendant, customer service representative, project manager, insurance agent, and more. In February 2023, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) listed a 0.2 percent growth in consumer spending.
These numbers indicate that the industry is stabilizing, and job opportunities will increase over time. Knowing the best companies in the consumer services field will help you select the right career path and employer. This article highlights 10 of the best consumer services companies and offers a guide on how to launch a consumer services career.
What Are the Best Consumer Services Companies to Work For?
- Amazon
- CVS
- Costco Wholesale Corporation
- The Walt Disney Company
- McDonald’s Corporation
- Trader Joe’s
- Southwest Airlines
- Airbnb
- Public Storage
- American Residential Services
Types of Consumer Services Companies
Consumer services are essential across industries such as hospitality, banking, insurance, transport, and education. As you set the foundation for your career, you should understand the different types of consumer services companies. Below are three examples of types of consumer services companies.
Hospitality Companies
Consumer services are essential in hospitality. Whether you work in a restaurant, hotel, park, or bar, you will interact with consumers every day. The goal is to offer each client a great customer experience and quality customer service. You can work within any of these sectors in hospitality, as they are directly aligned with consumer services.
Insurance Companies
People are always looking for insurance coverage, whether it be for their health, house, car, or jewelry, and some even opt for life insurance. Insurance companies are always competing to win new clients, making consumer services the key to a company’s success. You can become an insurance sales agent, customer relations officer, customer experience manager, and more.
Entertainment Companies
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), entertainment occupations are projected to grow by 22 percent between 2020 and 2030. That means there will be more entry-level positions and increased opportunities. You can work as a customer service representative, client service manager, client support specialist, box office ticket agent, reservations agent, and more.
How to Get a Job in the Consumer Services Field
Every industry values qualifications, and they can dictate whether or not you can land a job in the field. Employers prioritize qualified and skilled professionals who understand the importance of putting the consumer at the center of operations. Below are some of the steps you can follow to increase your chances of getting a job in consumer services.
- Understand the industry. Before you start applying for jobs, you must understand what consumer services entails. Is it the same across all industries? How do you determine good and bad consumer services? Understanding the ins and outs of the industry will help you select the type of company that suits your interests.
- Get an education. Education is important because it helps you understand consumer relationships, attract loyal customers, and make sales. You can learn by attending a traditional university, online courses, or sales bootcamps that will equip you with the necessary skills.
- Hone your skills. Employers look for specific skills during the hiring process. The most crucial soft skills in consumer services include active listening, problem-solving, and organizational skills. You must also demonstrate hard skills such as product knowledge, typing skills, computer knowledge, and customer management abilities.
- Prepare a well-written resume. Your resume can give you a competitive advantage over other job seekers. All you have to do is prepare a great resume and cover letter detailing how you can contribute to the company. Consumer services employers look for experience, use of language, specific qualities suited for the role, and attention to detail.
- Prepare for your interview. Take time to prepare for your interview by researching the company and understanding your prospective role. Moreover, you should work on your confidence and prove to the recruiters that you can offer an excellent customer service experience to all potential clients.
The Best Companies in the Consumer Services Field to Work for in 2023
The consumer services industry accommodates a wide range of careers. You can work for telephone call centers, reception desks, marketing firms, sales teams, and construction companies. Nearly all minor and major industries have a department dedicated to consumer services. Below are some of the best companies that fall into this category.
Amazon
- Annual Revenue: $458 billion
- Number of Employees: 1.3 million
- Headquarters: Seattle, Washington
Amazon is a leader in ecommerce, cloud computing, entertainment, and AI. The organization was founded in 1994 by Jeff Bezos and has grown to become a multi-billion dollar company, catering to millions of consumers worldwide. You will find a variety of consumer services job vacancies, including delivery station liaison, customer service rep, and warehouse associate.
Why Is Amazon a Good Place to Work?
Amazon is a good place to work because it has strong employee reviews. As well, Amazon offers full-time employees a variety of extra benefits, including restricted stock units. In addition, it offers hourly employees access to the Career Choice Program, in which Amazon will pre-pay up to 95 percent of certain educational costs. These are some of the many reasons why people strive to get a job at Amazon.
CVS Health Corporation
- Annual Revenue: $268.7 billion
- Number of Employees: 300,000
- Headquarters: Woonsocket, Rhode Island
The CVS Health Corporation is a leading health solutions company that provides a wide range of health care services. This includes health and wellness services, pharmacy services, health plans, prescription drug coverage, and virtual care services. CVS Health has over 600 HealthHub locations and more than 9,900 retail locations.
The company hires thousands of employees annually and is currently enlisting the services of over 300,000 staff members worldwide. You can check the company website for a wide range of careers with the customer support team and other consumer services jobs.
Why Is CVS Health Corporation a Good Place to Work?
CVS Health is a great place to work because it prioritizes employee wellness through great pay and outstanding benefits and perks, like health insurance, employee discount accounts, and paid holiday vacations. Employees also enjoy flexible schedules and opportunities for career growth across several pharmacy training locations.
Costco Wholesale Corporation
- Annual Revenue: $192 billion
- Number of Employees: 288,000
- Headquarters: Issaquah, Washington
Costco Wholesale Corporation is an international chain of warehouses that carry quality merchandise and products. It is mainly a membership-based organization that allows members to buy products at substantially lower prices. Costco has over 824 warehouses across the United States, Canada, Spain, Korea, and other countries.
The organization serves millions of consumers annually, and the demand for employees is always high. Some of the in-demand careers include cashiers, food service assistants, membership assistants, and receiving clerks. You can visit the website for regular updates on job vacancies in your area.
Why Is Costco Wholesale Corporation a Good Place to Work?
Working at Costco is a good choice because it opens you up to a wide range of personal and career growth opportunities. The workplace provides a friendly and supportive environment for workers, which is essential for the success of any company. Moreover, the company has been around for years and has hundreds of successful establishments, which also means job stability.
The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company is a successful media and entertainment conglomerate. The organization owns Disney Parks, Disney Media and Entertainment Distributions, various studios, and merchandising companies. You can work at any company under this umbrella because consumer services is at the center of Disney’s success.
Why Is the Walt Disney Company a Good Place to Work?
Disney is a good place to work because of its many opportunities and positive employee reviews on sites like Glassdoor. You will receive great benefits and support from management and colleagues. The work environment is also inclusive and provides a clear sense of purpose. Moreover, the success and stability of the organization guarantee job security.
McDonald’s Corporation
- Annual Revenue: $22.5 billion
- Number of Employees: 200,000
- Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois
McDonald’s is a successful fast food company. The company is worth billions and has established many branches across the world. Whether you’re in the US or Africa, finding a McDonald’s restaurant is not hard. Moreover, the company continues to expand, creating more job opportunities for entry-level and experienced professionals.
The company serves millions of consumers daily and receives extensive customer feedback. That means the company accommodates many consumer services careers, including servers, delivery positions, cashiers, call-center representatives, and managers.
Why Is McDonald’s a Good Place to Work?
McDonald’s is a good consumer services company to work for because it offers excellent entry-level jobs for high school graduates, students, and people seeking additional jobs. It is a high-stress work environment because of the thousands of daily customers. However, employees undergo training to help handle dissatisfied customers and offer quality customer service.
Trader Joe’s
- Annual Revenue: $13.2 billion
- Number of Employees: 14,650
- Headquarters: Monrovia, California
Trader Joe’s has grown to become one of the most loved organizations in the United States. The company prioritizes employee wellness and provides hundreds of job opportunities annually to grow the franchise and reduce unemployment.
Why Is Trader Joe’s a Good Place to Work?
Employees report that Trader Joe’s is a good place to work because it offers a fun work environment. The organization creates a sense of teamwork and family by adding you to the crew, which consists of merchants, mates, captains, and office crews. You will also receive store discounts, a health and retirement plan, leadership training, and scholarship programs.
Southwest Airlines
- Annual Revenue: $12.7 billion
- Number of Employees: 54,000
- Headquarters: Dallas, Texas, United States
Southwest Airlines is among the best companies in the transportation sector. According to its official website, the airline has won several awards, including the Best Customer Satisfaction Award and Best Customer Service Award. At Southwest Airlines, you can work as a flight attendant, booking agent, sales rep, customer service supervisor, or customer care representative.
Why Is Southwest Airlines a Good Place to Work?
Southwest Airlines is one of the best places to work in 2021, according to Glassdoor. Employees receive full coverage health insurance, a health savings account (HSA), flexible spending accounts (tax-free), life insurance, stock purchase plans, several financial rewards, and more benefits from Southwest. In addition, you will access great travel privileges.
Airbnb
- Annual Revenue: $5.3 billion
- Number of Employees: 15,000
- Headquarters: San Francisco, California
Airbnb creates alternative living arrangements for travelers, tourists, and individuals who need a place to stay. Most Airbnbs don’t come with a concierge service or servers, unlike a hotel. However, the company app has attracted millions of users. You can also join this successful company as a host, customer support agent, social media manager, or call center rep.
Why Is Airbnb a Good Place to Work?
Airbnb is a good place to work because it offers comprehensive health plans, paid volunteer time, and extended parental and family leave. You also have access to healthy food and snacks, which is important in a high-stress work environment. Moreover, employees receive annual travel and experience credits and have opportunities to develop within the organization.
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Public Storage
- Annual Revenue: $3.24 billion
- Number of Employees: 5,000
- Headquarters: Glendale, California
Public Storage is the largest self-storage facility worldwide. As more people use Public Storage facilities, the company’s presence in the consumer services industry continues to grow. You can apply for jobs in the customer service department, call centers, managerial positions, or real estate department. All these positions allow you to interact with customers one-on-one.
Why Is Public Storage a Good Place to Work?
You should work at Public Storage because it is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment as part of the company’s values. The team consists of people from different races, genders, and backgrounds. In addition, the company offers a competitive salary, health insurance, 401(k), performance-based bonuses, and freedom to work in the area of your choice.
American Residential Services
- Annual Revenue: $670.2 million
- Number of Employees: 2,000
- Headquarters: Memphis, Tennessee
ARS Rescue Rooter is a residential service company providing plumbing, heating, air conditioning, insulation, and electrical solutions. It was founded in 1975 under the American Residential Services LLC and has established locations across 24 states. Consumer services jobs at ARS include sales support associates, manager trainees, and other dispatch and customer service jobs.
Why Is American Residential Services a Good Place to Work?
American Residential Services is one of the best places to work because it offers flexible working hours and a comfortable work environment for its employees. You will receive full coverage health insurance, paid time off, a 401(k) plan, paid training, and a fulfilling annual salary. According to PayScale, the average salary for an ARS employee is $62,000.
Is It Hard to Get a Job in the Consumer Services Field?
No, getting a job in the consumer field is not difficult because most jobs only require entry-level qualifications. Once you get a job, you can advance your level of education, gain more skills, and apply for higher positions as you progress. If you are lucky, you can also find an employer willing to finance your education or provide scholarships to help you grow.
Should You Work in the Consumer Services Field?
Yes, the consumer services industry is fun and interactive, allowing you to converse with people from all walks of life. You get to put your skills into action when answering customer questions, assessing customer complaints, and performing clerical duties. Moreover, the demand for consumer services professionals is always constant, meaning you can always find a job.
Best Consumer Services Companies FAQ
A consumer services professional’s primary role is to focus on customer experiences. Your primary duties may include serving customers, responding to customer service complaints and feedback, and responding to email alerts, all while upholding fast response times for customers. Consumer services professionals always ensure the customers receive outstanding service.
Usually, you can work across many different industries if you have the right qualifications. Companies in the industries of health, hospitality, transport, entertainment, and construction all deal with customers daily. Therefore, you will always find consumer services positions in every industry.
The selection depends on your interests, career goals, qualifications, and job requirements. The industry is flooded with different types of customer services companies, making it challenging for job seekers to find the best ones. However, you can also look at the perks and benefits as well as opportunities for growth through additional training and mentorships.
Consumer services employers look for excellent communication skills, patience, knowledge of customer services software, time management, and a great personality. You must also be proficient in computers, understand product details, and have problem-solving skills. As a consumer services professional, you should always be approachable and attentive at all times.
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