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Telephone Operators

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

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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
Spreadsheet software
  • Microsoft Excel Hot Technology In Demand
Helpdesk or call center software
  • Computer aided dispatch software

Education

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

Get started on your career:

Apprenticeship.gov

Job Outlook

Below Average Outlook
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
Salary
$37,630
$23,690
$60,120
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about telephone operators.