What does a Telephone Operator do?
Published 4 min read
A telephone operator is responsible for handling a variety of customer service calls. They are the first point of contact for many customers and are expected to provide a high level of customer service. Telephone operators must be able to handle multiple calls at once and have excellent communication skills.
Telephone Operator job duties include:
- Answer telephone calls and take messages
- Transfer calls to appropriate staff members
- Respond to inquiries about company
- Greet visitors and direct them to appropriate staff members
- Monitor incoming faxes and forward them to appropriate staff members
- Schedule appointments and maintain calendars
- Make travel arrangements
- Prepare correspondence
- Perform data entry and word processing tasks
- Maintain filing system
Telephone Operator Job Requirements
Most telephone operators have at least a high school diploma, although some jobs may require postsecondary education, and most telephone operators receive on-the-job training. Some states have certification programs for telephone operators. Most telephone operators have at least a few months of experience working in customer service or a call center.
Telephone Operator Skills
- Communication
- Patience
- Listening
- Multi-tasking
- Customer service
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving
- Organization
- Flexibility
- Professionalism
- Friendliness
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How to become a Telephone Operator
A telephone operator is a professional who helps connect callers with the people or businesses they are trying to reach. They play an important role in keeping communication lines open and helping people connect with one another. If you have excellent customer service skills and enjoy working with the public, becoming a telephone operator may be the right career choice for you. Here are a few tips on how to become a telephone operator:
1. Get a high school diploma or equivalent. Although some telephone operators may only need a high school diploma or equivalent, many employers prefer candidates who have completed some college coursework or have an associate’s degree. If you plan to pursue a career as a telephone operator, consider completing some college coursework related to business or customer service.
2. Complete on-the-job training. Once you have been hired as a telephone operator, you will likely need to complete on-the-job training before working independently. On-the-job training will teach you how to use the specific phone system your company uses, as well as any other software or equipment you will need to do your job.
3. Develop strong customer service skills. As a telephone operator, you will be responsible for providing excellent customer service to everyone who calls into your company. To be successful in this role, you should have strong verbal communication skills and be able to stay calm and professional when dealing with difficult callers.
4. Stay up-to-date on company policies and procedures. In addition to providing excellent customer service, it is also important that telephone operators follow all company policies and procedures when handling calls. To ensure that you are always up-to-date on your company’s policies, make sure to attend any trainings or meetings that are offered on these topics.
5. Be flexible and adaptable. Telephone operators often need to work different shifts, including evenings and weekends. They may also be required to work overtime during busy periods or when there is staff shortages. To be successful in this career, it is important that you are flexible and adaptable enough to work different shifts as needed.
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