How do they match: Telephone Operators

  • Information Operator
  • Information Specialist
  • Central Office Operator

  • 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.

  • Offer special assistance to persons such as those who are unable to dial or who are in emergency situations.
  • Listen to customer requests, referring to alphabetical or geographical directories to answer questions and provide telephone information.
  • Monitor automated systems for placing collect calls and intervene for a callers needing assistance.
  • Operate paging systems or other systems of bells or buzzers to notify recipients of incoming calls.
  • 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.
  • Suggest and check alternate spellings, locations, or listing formats to customers lacking details or complete information.
  • Update directory information.

  • Answer telephones to direct calls or provide information.
  • Enter information into databases or software programs.
  • Operate communications equipment or systems.
  • Search files, databases or reference materials to obtain needed information.