OCCUPATION: CUSTOMER SERVICE SPECIALIST

Name: Bobby Schoonover

Company: Target

Thumbs up: “I like talking to people and helping them. I’m thankful that Target gives handicapped people a chance to work. I like to be useful instead of sitting around doing nothing. And I thank Target for the opportunity. The managers are great. Even though they have a higher position, they treat you as an equal. This is a great job.”

Thumbs down: “Some days get pretty hectic--especially on the first day an ad breaks--that’s about all. But it’s nothing we can’t handle.” Next step: “I like it where I am. But, wherever God wants me, that’s where I’ll go.”

Advice: “You have to like being around people and talking to them. And you have to have a lot of patience and a love for people. Sometimes customers get upset if you’re out of stock on an item. Or they get impatient if you’re helping someone else, and they want immediate attention. That’s when you have to be very patient.”

Salary range: In Orange County, customer service specialists earn from $4.25 to $12 hourly.

Fringe benefits: Generally, full-time workers receive health and life insurance, paid vacations and sick leave.

Hours: Flexible, full- and part-time hours.

Educational and training requirements: Employers prefer at least a high school education, even though customer service jobs are primarily entry level requiring little experience. It is mostly on-the-job training as applicants learn how to operate relevant equipment and become familiar with the policies and procedures of the establishment.

Size of work force: Medium. In Orange County, approximately 2,285 people, or 0.2% of the labor force, work as customer service specialists.

Job description: Customer service specialists are responsible for assisting customers and answering their questions, checking the stockroom for items not on the shelf, taking special orders and accepting returned merchandise. In some operations, they may also do some selling when sales workers are unavailable.

Major employing industries: Retail stores or enterprises such as car, video, equipment and furniture rental operations.

Advancement: Customer service specialist is often a steppingstone to advancement into sales or supervisorial positions.

For more information: Call or visit the job service window at any office of the state Employment Development Department. In Orange County, the offices are at 900 E. Pacifico Ave., in Anaheim (714) 978-7421; 233 E. Commonwealth Ave., in Fullerton (714) 680-7800; and 1001 S. Grand Ave. in Santa Ana (714) 558-4294.