What does a Telephone Interviewer do?
Published 3 min read
A telephone interviewer is a person who conducts surveys over the phone. They may work for a market research firm, or they may be self-employed.
Telephone Interviewer job duties include:
- Contact individuals by telephone to conduct surveys
- Ask questions and record answers
- Read from scripts
- Keep track of responses
- Follow up with respondents who do not answer initial questions
- Identify potential sources of additional information
- Obtain contact information for follow-up surveys
- Record contact information and survey results
- Forward completed surveys to supervisors
Telephone Interviewer Job Requirements
Most telephone interviewers have at least a high school diploma, although some jobs may require postsecondary education, and most receive on-the-job training. Some jobs may require certification, such as the Certified Professional Interviewer credential offered by the Institute for Social Research. Many telephone interviewers have previous experience in customer service or telemarketing.
Telephone Interviewer Skills
- Communication
- Listening
- Empathy
- Active listening
- Questioning
- Probing
- Rapport building
- Objection handling
- Closing skills
- Persuasion
- Negotiation
Related: Top Telephone Interviewer Skills: Definition and Examples
How to become a Telephone Interviewer
A telephone interviewer is someone who conducts surveys or interviews over the phone. This type of work can be done from home, which makes it a great option for those who want to work remotely. To become a telephone interviewer, you will need to have strong communication skills and be comfortable talking to people from all walks of life. You will also need to be able to type quickly and accurately, as you will be transcribing the responses from your interviews.
If you are interested in becoming a telephone interviewer, the first step is to find a company that is looking for someone with your skillset. There are many companies that contract out this type of work, so there is likely to be one that is a good fit for you. Once you have found a company that you would like to work for, the next step is to submit an application and resume. In your application, be sure to highlight your communication skills and any previous experience you have conducting surveys or interviews.
Once you have been hired by a company, they will provide you with training on how to use their systems and how to conduct the interviews. It is important that you pay attention during training and ask questions if anything is unclear. After training, you will start conducting interviews with real people. It is important to remember that each person is different, so you will need to adjust your approach accordingly. Some people may take longer to warm up to you, while others may be more open from the start. The key is to be patient and flexible in order to get the most accurate information from each person you speak with.
Related: Telephone Interviewer Resume Example
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