How to Become a Telephone Operator
Telephone operators are becoming a thing of the past. These days, we can directly call people without going through a telephone operator first. However, there is still a need for a telephone operator if you need to make a collect call or if you simply need information. Becoming a telephone operator requires little experience, but it does take patience and some hands-on training.
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Instructions
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Educate yourself about being a telephone operator. Most companies will require that you have a high school diploma or a GED equivalent. If you have taken speech classes, business math or office-related classes in high school, be sure to list those on the application, as this will help you get the job. If you already know how to operate a multi-line phone system, this is a great advantage, too. However, most phone companies will train you in this area. It would also help if you had customer service experience and show that you can handle yourself well under pressure.
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Find places that are hiring telephone operators. The Resources section below has a link to a list of telephone operator jobs across the country.
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Fill out the application. This can be done in person or over the Internet. Some companies have applications online that help them weed through applicants quicker before they interview them in person. When filling out the application, be honest and include as much experience in the field as you can. Chances are you will get the job rather then someone else if you’ve worked in the field before or if you are familiar with phones and computers.
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Get your foot in the door. Most telephone operator companies start their new employees on a part-time basis. Don't let this discourage you if you prefer full-time employment. They simply want to see your work habits and make sure you are "full-time material" before investing a lot of time in you. This is often how they decipher who has staying power and who doesn’t. With the proper work ethic, you can get boosted up to full-time employment in a matter of weeks or even sooner.
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Manage your stress effectively. You will need to manage and handle 600 to 700 calls a day, if not more. The call volume depends on where you work and which shift you work. This can get stressful, especially when customers are not at their friendliest. The best way to handle yourself is to take a deep breath and never take anything personal. Sometimes people just need to vent and you're the person they take it out on.
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Tips & Warnings
Check your local newspaper for telephone operator jobs. Hospitals, answering services and schools all need some sort of telephone operator to operate their phone lines.
Be mindful that as we become more and more dependent on computers and as jobs are being outsourced to foreign countries, the need for telephone operators is becoming less and less.
