How Does a Telephone Survey Work?

The Basics

Telephone surveys are conducted by companies looking for feedback on a widely used product, service or business. They are usually conducted by cubicle callers who are making a wage that increases depending on the number of surveys successfully completed every hour or every shift. Participants in telephone surveys are rarely compensated for their time, and they are sometimes asking questions for up to a 30-minute (rarely longer, usually shorter) time frame.

Surveys for Research

Some surveys are done for government research, including research for health care and related industries. The New York City Community Health Survey (CHS) is one that's done every year, and it is organized by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

How it's Done

The caller will ask for basic information on the customer. A survey taker will never ask for personal identifying information such as a name or address. If one does, ask for the reasoning behind it immediately. If the caller hesitates or gives one that isn't substantial and can be looked up, refuse to answer further questions. You also have the option of requesting the name of the company that the caller is working from.
The caller may ask for information about age and employment simply because that qualifies or disqualifies many people from the target survey audience that the company wants. Often times, if you are employed by a specific field that the survey covers, you are automatically ineligible for participation.
The survey then consists of several questions, usually variations around a general topic. The caller is usually at a computer screen at this point, quickly typing "yes" or "no" answers into the database. If he asks open-ended questions, you may want to speak slower, as he is likely typing exactly what you say as part of the survey.
After the survey is done, he should politely thank you for your time. The caller then completes your information in the computer. He usually sees how long the survey has taken. The caller is then automatically connected with other callers.
If you have your name on a do-not-call list, be sure to advise the caller of this fact as soon as you answer the phone.

Warning

There are numerous scams on the Internet and through regular USPS postal mail where companies claim that you can make a living taking surveys at home over the telephone. While a few select survey takers may compensate you for your time, it rarely equates to minimum wage, and it is certainly not a consistent income.