Telephone Interviewer Job Description

Telephone interviewers use a computer to record the information they gather.

In the age of caller ID, many people assume that a telephone number they don't recognize belongs to a telemarketer calling to sell them a product or service. But not all telephone representatives want you to buy something. Telephone interviewers call households to conduct research or follow up on an application, form or survey the household submitted. About 233,000 people held interviewer jobs in 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Duties

Telephone interviewers who focus on research call people and ask them questions following a script provided by their employer. Interviewers log the respondents' answers into a computer system. If a potential interview subject is unwilling to participate, interviewers try to coax them into completing the survey. The interviews often take place in the evenings and on weekends.

Additionally, an interviewer can be assigned to follow up with applicants who have applied for insurance policies. They may call applicants to obtain more detailed information on their health history.

Some employers set quotas for the number of interviews an individual or team must complete.

Employers often want interviewers who can work at least 15 hours a week. Some companies allow interviewers to work from home.

Skills

Because they deal with people who may be confused or uncooperative, interviewers need strong interpersonal and communication skills. They also need basic computer skills and the ability to accurately record the information they receive. Some companies request that their interviewers be able to type at least 30 words per minute.

Personal Traits and Abilities

The ability to maintain confidentiality is important for interviewers working with health-related surveys and forms. A friendly demeanor and the ability to build trust with a respondent are also key.

Education and Experience

Some employers look for applicants who have a high school diploma or GED, while others require an associate or bachelor's degree. Medical expertise is required for some health-related interviewing jobs. The ability to speak multiple languages is a plus, and companies may prefer those with previous call center, research or customer service experience.

Salary and Job Outlook

Interviewers made an average salary of $28,140 in May 2008, states the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The agency predicts 16 percent job growth in this field between 2008 and 2018, a rate that is higher than the average for other occupations. The agency predicts good job prospects, in part because this is a field with a high turnover rate.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan
• CareerBuilder: ICF International
• CareerBuilder: RN Telephonic Interviewer
• Monster: Telephone Interviewer
• Monster: RN/LPN Nurse Medical Interviewer