Occupation
Telephone Operators
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.
$41,740 medianBelow-avg outlookHigh school
O*NET 31.0 · 43-2021.00
A typical week, in the words of people in the job
- 01Update directory information.
- 02Operate telephone switchboards and systems to advance and complete connections, including those for local, long distance, pay telephone, mobile, person-to-person, and emergency calls.
- 03Listen to customer requests, referring to alphabetical or geographical directories to answer questions and provide telephone information.
- 04Observe signal lights on switchboards, and dial or press buttons to make connections.
- 05Offer special assistance to persons such as those who are unable to dial or who are in emergency situations.
- 06Operate paging systems or other systems of bells or buzzers to notify recipients of incoming calls.
- 07Monitor automated systems for placing collect calls and intervene for a callers needing assistance.
- 08Provide assistance for customers with special billing requests.
- 09Keep records of calls placed and received, and of related toll charges.
- 10Suggest and check alternate spellings, locations, or listing formats to customers lacking details or complete information.
- 11Perform clerical duties such as typing, proofreading, and sorting mail.
- 12Interrupt busy lines if an emergency warrants.
Task statements ranked by how many workers report them · O*NET 31.0
What the posting will be called
411 Directory Assistance Operator (411 Directory Assistance Op)Directory Assistance Operator (Directory Assistance Op)Phone Operator (Telephone Operator)TELECOM Op (Telecommunications Operator)Information SpecialistLive Source Operator (Live Source Op)Long Distance Operator (LD Operator)PBX Operator (Post Box Exchange Operator)Phone Secretary (Telephone Secretary)Toll Operator (Toll Op)
Titles reported by employers for this occupation. Search job boards with these, not the O*NET name.
Knowledge the job leans on
Customer and Personal ServiceTelecommunicationsAdministrativeEnglish LanguageComputers and ElectronicsAdministration and ManagementPublic Safety and SecurityEducation and Training
Skills that carry over from service
Service OrientationSocial PerceptivenessComplex Problem SolvingCoordinationTime ManagementJudgment and Decision MakingInstructingPersuasion