Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service

What the job really is

Operate telephone business systems equipment or switchboards to relay incoming, outgoing, and interoffice calls. May supply information to callers and record messages.

At a glance

• Sector: Office & Administrative
• O*NET-SOC code: 43-2011
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Place telephone calls or arrange conference calls as instructed.
• Operate communication systems, such as telephone, switchboard, intercom, two-way radio, or public address.
• Answer incoming calls, greeting callers, providing information, transferring calls or taking messages as necessary.
• Greet visitors, log them in and out of the facility, assign them security badges, and contact employee escorts.
• Monitor emergency and code alarms, make emergency announcements, or route emergency calls to the appropriate location.
• Record messages, suggesting rewording for clarity or conciseness.
• Page individuals to inform them of telephone calls, using paging or interoffice communication equipment.
• Relay or route written or verbal messages.
• Perform various cash handling tasks, such as collecting payments, making bank deposits, or managing petty cash.
• Process incoming or outgoing mail, packages, or deliveries.
• Perform various data entry or word processing tasks, such as updating phone directories, typing or proofreading documents, or creating schedules.
• Perform administrative tasks, such as accepting orders, scheduling appointments or meeting rooms, or sending and receiving faxes.

Tools and technology

Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Word, SAP software, Alarm system monitors, Computer inkjet printers, Copy machines, IBM Notes

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Receptionists and Information Clerks
• Office Clerks, General
• Telephone Operators
• Customer Service Representatives
• Public Safety Telecommunicators
• Telemarketers
• Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance
• Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.