How to Get a Job as a Switchboard Operator

A switchboard operator is the main answering service for a company and directs the calls to the appropriate office or individual. Those in this administrative field work at hospitals, large corporations, call centers, governments or call centers. In this position, you may often take messages and answer questions as part of customer service. Automation allows operators of switchboards to work in a different manner. With voice mail, they can listen to messages left on the answering machine instead of having to actually talk to customers. Some of the automated equipment also allows for direct access to the proper department by using the company telephone directory and punching in the appropriate numbers. Quite often the operator is the last resort for those wishing to speak to someone in the company.

As a switchboard operator you will spend your workday sitting at a desk where there may be one telephone or several phones. As the calls come in you direct the caller in the appropriate manner and then move on to the next call. In busy times, you may have to answer several calls and ask the callers to hold until you get an opportunity to get back. In this way you must be able to prioritize the calls and process the first calls that came in. Part of your job will also be to screen calls that come into the office. There may be times when a company official does not want to be disturbed or does not want to speak to a certain person. When you answer the telephone, before directing the call you should ask the caller’s name and the nature of the call.

Three is no specific educational training for the position of switchboard operator. You do need to have a high school diploma, but you will receive all the training you need on the job, which lasts for a few weeks, In addition to the training in how to use the system, you will also receive training in the proper way to answer the telephone at that location and in customer service. Depending on the nature of the employment, you may also receive training in how to handle emergency calls when they come in. During your training period, you will work with an experienced operator to observe how the process works and to start taking calls while this supervisor is looking on.



You will also have to become familiar with the company policies to work as a switchboard operator. Even if you have experience in this kind of work, you will undergo on the job training if you transfer to another department of company because not even all departments within a firm or company work the same way. Since you will be working with others in the office you should have excellent interpersonal skills so that you can have a good working relationship with all of them.

You should be able to speak clearly and have good listening skills as a switchboard operator. Before you get this type of job, some employers require that you pass a basic skills test in reading, math and computer skills. If you can speak a second language, especially one used by many clients of this business, you will have a good chance of getting the job.