Telephone Operators
On the Job
Telephone Operators provide information to telephone customers. They may handle emergency calls, or help children or people with disabilities make phone calls.
Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:
- Enter information into databases or software programs.
- Search files, databases or reference materials to obtain needed information.
- Maintain call records.
- Sort mail.
- Calculate costs of goods or services.
- Assist disabled or incapacitated individuals.
- Assist individuals with paperwork.
- Answer telephones to direct calls or provide information.
- Discuss account status or activity with customers or patrons.
- Proofread documents, records, or other files to ensure accuracy.
Typical Working Conditions
- Having telephone conversations.
- Sitting.
- Dealing with unpleasant or angry people.
- Repeating the same physical or mental task without stopping for periods of time.
- Dealing with external customers.
- Frequent decision-making.
- Working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions.
- High levels of competition.
This page includes information from the O*NET 24.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Source: You can learn about our data sources in the About Us section.