If you want to become a telephone operator, the first step is simply to apply for a job at a company hiring operators. Some operators work for the phone company, while others work for different businesses that have complex internal multi-line phone systems. In either case, the job is generally an entry-level position, and you might be able to get a job with only a simple high school diploma. According to experts, you should make sure your resume shows all your potential for the job, and give a great interview to show you have the right personality to deal with people effectively.
In terms of extra educational preparation to become a telephone operator, you can get a bit of an advantage by taking speech classes along with any kind of office training. The speech class will show some evidence that you have an especially high level of skill in the area of verbal communication, and office skills are often beneficial in jobs where people have to answer phones. Other than that, a basic high school education will probably be sufficient.
One of the most important aspects of trying to become a telephone operator is the interview process. Your personality is generally a key aspect of any phone-oriented job, and the person hiring you will be concerned with how you behave in the interview. If you’re friendly, outgoing, and calm, that will probably work to your benefit. You also need to speak as clearly as possible.
There are really two different kinds of operators: those employed by phone companies, and those who work for various other businesses. Both jobs are generally considered rather similar in terms of qualifications and skills required. Businesses may have some specific guidelines related to their industry or customers that might change the job to some extent.
Before you decide that you want to become a telephone operator, you might need to consider some of the potential downsides to the job. Most people who do this work suggest that it can be rather stressful. Some customers may get angry at you for different reasons, and you’ll generally have to put up with this and avoid any kind of retaliation. In fact, you’ll probably need the personal skills to calm these situations before they get out of hand. Another downside is that the job of being a phone operator is sometimes considered a dying profession because technology is slowly replacing many of the traditional functions operators have provided.
