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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.

What you’d do

  • Observe signal lights on switchboards, and dial or press buttons to make connections.
  • Operate telephone switchboards and systems to advance and complete connections, including those for local, long distance, pay telephone, mobile, person-to-person, and emergency calls.
  • Listen to customer requests, referring to alphabetical or geographical directories to answer questions and provide telephone information.
  • Update directory information.
  • Suggest and check alternate spellings, locations, or listing formats to customers lacking details or complete information.
  • Perform clerical duties such as typing, proofreading, and sorting mail.
  • Offer special assistance to persons such as those who are unable to dial or who are in emergency situations.

Skills that matter

  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Service Orientation
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Critical Thinking
  • Reading Comprehension

How to get there

Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one

Also called

  • 411 Directory Assistance Operator (411 Directory Assistance Op)
  • Directory Assistance Operator (Directory Assistance Op)
  • Phone Operator (Telephone Operator)
  • TELECOM Op (Telecommunications Operator)
  • Information Specialist
  • Live Source Operator (Live Source Op)

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