What Is a Telephone Interviewer and How to Become One
Table of Contents
What Is a Telephone Interviewer?
Telephone interviewers conduct surveys and interviews over the phone. They may work in a call center or from home, and are usually employed by market research companies or by other organizations that need to gather public data for the development of goods or services. As a telephone interviewer, you contact people based on a list from your employer and ask a series of questions about a particular subject. For example, a toy manufacturer may have you call parents with children within a specific age group and ask them their opinions on different kinds of toys and price points. Political groups may hire telephone interviewers to ask residents of a municipality their views on a variety of political issues. You must accurately document the answers you receive, and may also upload them to the company's database to be analyzed.
How Can I Become a Telephone Interviewer?
The minimum qualifications to become a telephone interviewer include a high school diploma and excellent communication skills. Because your duties and responsibilities include completing surveys by asking interview questions and transcribing answers into a spreadsheet or another data capturing system, you also need the appropriate hardware to allow you to both speak on the phone and type at the same time. Employers prefer candidates who have excellent typing skills and a friendly demeanor. Being fluent in a second language may also make you more competitive in the job market. Other qualifications include the ability to work independently and a reliable internet connection.
