According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Listen to customer requests, referring to alphabetical or geographical directories to answer questions and provide telephone information. | 93% |
| Observe signal lights on switchboards, and dial or press buttons to make connections. | 91% |
| 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. | 91% |
| Suggest and check alternate spellings, locations, or listing formats to customers lacking details or complete information. | 90% |
| Provide assistance for customers with special billing requests. | 89% |
| Calculate and quote charges for services such as long-distance connections. | 88% |
| Monitor automated systems for placing collect calls and intervene for a callers needing assistance. | 87% |
| Perform clerical duties such as typing, proofreading, and sorting mail. | 84% |
| Consult charts to determine charges for pay-telephone calls, requesting coin deposits for calls as necessary. | 84% |
| Interrupt busy lines if an emergency warrants. | 84% |
| Provide relay service for hearing-impaired users. | 81% |
| Offer special assistance to persons such as those who are unable to dial or who are in emergency situations. | 81% |
| Promote company products, services, and savings plans when appropriate. | 74% |
| Operate paging systems or other systems of bells or buzzers to notify recipients of incoming calls. | 73% |
| Update directory information. | 71% |
| Keep records of calls placed and received, and of related toll charges. | 69% |
