Responsibilities Of Switchboard Operator

The primary responsibility of a switchboard operator is to answer and direct calls in a polite and informative way. Operator employment prospects are expected to decline by more than 20% between 2010 and 2020, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. Therefore, many switchboard operators may need additional skills to improve their cross-functional features, such as performing administrative tasks using computers, math and writing skills.

Answer the phone-

The main activities of a switchboard operator are to answer telephone calls, which can include lighting and extensions. The operators of the switchboard answer the calls using the label of the professional telephone. They transfer or request calls to the party requesting the caller or ask where the caller should go, based on information about the purpose of the call. For example, if the caller says he needs information on a product he has ordered but has not received, the switchboard operator asks follow-up questions to see if he will send the call to the shipping department or customer service.

Knowledge transfer-

Duties of telephone operators include answering basic corporate calls to callers who do not need to be transferred to another extension. They can give instructions to the office and contact the department staff. In addition, some switchboard operators provide information on the company's hiring process, particularly for companies that do not have a human resources department. Operators need to transfer information to employees of a company who are unavailable to answer calls or who are out of the office. They are responsible for the accurate transcription of the names of the callers, the contact information and the reasons for the call.

Emergency response-

Switchboard operators are often the first voice or face of callers and office visitors. Therefore, they must be aware of emergency procedures when they are in danger. They are trained to respond to emergency situations, such as routing calls to district law enforcement and unwanted interaction with visitors. They are also responsible for informing the safety of the company or management of suspicious calls or visitors that may threaten the organization.

Equipment management-

Some switchboard skills used by operators include directing new employees on how to operate the telephone system, such as transferring calls to another office or returning to the switchboard. The switchboard operators monitor the effectiveness of the telephone system and use procedures for suspected equipment malfunctions or operational problems. The switchboard operators also communicate with the technological team the capabilities of the telephone system and if they meet the company's requirements; they may also be involved in the evaluation of replacement telephone systems.

Administrative tasks-

Switchboard operators for small businesses or who take on additional responsibilities can perform office or administrative tasks. Their first priority is to respond to visitors and visitors; however, good time management skills can allow them to calculate cost reports, fill in correspondence or collect and organize job applications.

other circumstances-

Apart from pleasant telephone transport, the key skills that switchboard operators will need are strong written and oral communication skills. They should be aimed at providing accurate and relevant names, telephone numbers and information in relation to callers and employees. Their customer service skills should be the best as they interact with both employees and external business contacts. As of 2017, the average salary for switchboard operators was $ 28,700, according to the Office of Employment Statistics Statistics Manual. To be fully effective, most managers must have higher education; however, on-the-job training is generally appropriate to the specific orientation of the company.

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