Job type

Telephonist

£15k - £24k

Typical salary

18 – 40

Hours per week

Telephonists or switchboard operators, answer and connect calls and take messages.

More info

  • A role for a good communicator, answering and connecting calls and taking messages
  • You'll need a confident, polite telephone manner & the ability to work accurately under pressure
  • Can be a good stepping stone into other roles at an organisation

DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES

  • Answering and connecting calls
  • Using a computerised switchboard system
  • Testing lines and reporting faults
  • Updating directories
  • Taking and passing on messages
  • Carrying out basic administration tasks
  • Working in a team with 'front of house' staff
  • Your role may be combined with other administration and receptionist duties


DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT

Part-time, evening, weekend and shift work is common. You may be based in an office or call centre, or in the reception area of an organisation.

You'll need

There are no set requirements, but some GCSEs, especially English, may help.

You'll also need good hearing and a clear telephone voice, a confident and polite telephone manner, the ability to work quickly and accurately under pressure, a good standard of spoken and written English, basic computer and keyboard skills, excellent customer care skills, the ability to deal with difficult calls in a calm and professional manner, and an awareness of confidentiality issues.

Basic computer skills and admin experience can be useful.

Many further education colleges and training providers offer courses in call centre and customer service techniques. You could take an introductory course like a Level 1 Certificate in Customer Service or a Level 2 Certificate in Contact Centre Operations.

Alternatively, you could do an intermediate apprenticeship in customer service or contact centre operations.

CAREER PROSPECTS

With experience you could move into related areas of work as an administrator, personal assistant (PA), supervisor, customer services or quality assurance manager.