Telemarketers
What is a Telemarketer?
A telemarketer is a professional who engages in sales and marketing activities over the telephone, often working for companies to promote their products or services. They typically make outbound calls to potential customers, and may also receive incoming calls from clients interested in specific offerings. Telemarketers are responsible for executing scripts, addressing inquiries, overcoming objections, and closing sales effectively during conversations. Their role can vary widely, encompassing lead generation, appointment setting, customer feedback solicitation, or conducting surveys. Telemarketers need to possess strong communication skills, a persuasive demeanor, and the ability to handle rejection with resilience. The work can be challenging due to the repetitive nature of calls and the potential for encountering uninterested or frustrated prospects, but it can also offer opportunities for bonuses and incentives based on sales performance. Telemarketers may work in call centers or be employed directly by organizations of various sizes, spanning multiple industries.
Tasks
- Contact businesses or private individuals by telephone to solicit sales for goods or services, or to request donations for charitable causes.
- Obtain customer information such as name, address, and payment method, and enter orders into computers.
- Explain products or services and prices, and answer questions from customers.
- Record names, addresses, purchases, and reactions of prospects contacted.
- Maintain records of contacts, accounts, and orders.
Technology Skills
- Customer relationship management CRM software
- Video conferencing software
- Helpdesk or call center software
- Spreadsheet software
- Electronic mail software
Tools Used
- Autodialers
- Phone headsets
- Special purpose telephones
- Conversation recording units
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Personal computers
Knowledge
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Sales and Marketing
Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
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English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
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Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Skills
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Persuasion
Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
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Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
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Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Abilities
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Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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Speech Clarity
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
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Speech Recognition
The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
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Selective Attention
The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?
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High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
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Some college, no degree
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Less than high school diploma
Work Activities
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Selling or Influencing Others
Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
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Communicating with People Outside the Organization
Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
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Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
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Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Detailed Work Activities
- Contact current or potential customers to promote products or services.
- Maintain records of customer accounts.
- Answer customer questions about goods or services.
- Explain technical product or service information to customers.
- Answer telephones to direct calls or provide information.
Work Interests
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Enterprising
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.
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Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
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Social
Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
Job Outlook
Projected salary and job growth
$24430.0 - $49700.0
New job opportunities are less likely in the future. : Below Average
Assessment
Related assessments and tests
No assessment available.