Telephone Operators

provide information conventional interests assist customers personal service phone equipment computer database emergency calls ask questions

Directory Assistance Operator, Information Specialist, Long Distance Operator (LD Operator), Telephone Operator

What they do:
Provide information by accessing alphabetical, geographical, or other directories. Assist customers with special billing requests, such as charges to a third party and credits or refunds for incorrectly dialed numbers or bad connections. May handle emergency calls and assist children or people with physical disabilities to make telephone calls.
On the job, you would:
  • Listen to customer requests, referring to alphabetical or geographical directories to answer questions and provide telephone information.
  • Suggest and check alternate spellings, locations, or listing formats to customers lacking details or complete information.
  • Offer special assistance to persons such as those who are unable to dial or who are in emergency situations.

Knowledge

Business

  • customer service

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Communications

  • telecommunications
  • multimedia

Skills

Basic Skills

  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • talking to others

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Abilities

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say

Ideas and Logic

  • notice when problems happen

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include data, detail, and regular routines.

They do well at jobs that need:

  • Stress Tolerance
  • Integrity
  • Dependability
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Self Control
  • Attention to Detail

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Operating system software

  • Handheld computer device software
  • Microsoft Windows Hot Technology

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint Hot Technology

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel Hot Technology In Demand

Education

Education: (rated 2 of 5)
high school diploma/GED or
no high school diploma/GED
usually needed

Get started on your career:

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Job Outlook

Below Average
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
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