How to Become an Switchboard Operator? Payscale & Outlook

The minimum requirement to become an operator is usually an end of school certificate, a high school diploma or an equivalent qualification. However, attending a course for operators and receptionists can be useful for learning how to communicate efficiently and professionally on the phone and how to use the modern virtual operator and call management software.

Newly hired employees typically go through a tutoring phase under the supervision of experienced employees or a short training phase to become familiar with the business processes and ensure that they learn all the skills necessary to perform their tasks.

Switch center operators can also manage emergency call points (emergency call point operators). Such positions usually require specialist training and support under the supervision of experienced operators.

Operator skills and qualifications

The operator is a customer service representative who manages multiple telephone lines and performs office activities. Employers hire operators with the following specific skills:

• Customer Service: While telephone operators call customers, employers are looking for employees with strong customer service skills.

• Communication skills: exchange operators use verbal communication skills to answer and forward incoming calls and written communication skills to retrieve detailed messages.

• Mechanical skills: The exchange operators manage the exchanges and can work with other technical devices such as headsets and interphones that require some mechanical skills.

• IT Skills: Intermediaries use several software programs to receive messages and perform office tasks that require computer skills

• Attention to detail: Monitoring multiple telephone lines requires a great deal of attention to detail

Payscale and outlook : 

switchboard operator salary? PayScale information shows that operators earn an average hourly income of $ 12.55 an hour. Receptionists earn $ 13.65 an hour, or $ 28,390 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The receptionists pick up the phones and receive visitors. They do many of the same things that operators do. In some companies, the two shares are interchangeable. The BLS forecasts show that employment in the industry will increase by 9 percent by 2026. This rate is above the national average.

Full-time intermediaries can receive basic service packages that include health insurance. Paid vacation days can also be offered. Part-time employees generally do not receive any benefits.