Telemarketers

Solicit donations or orders for goods or services over the telephone.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Call Agent; Inside Sales Representative (Inside Sales Rep); Telemarketer; Telemarketing Sales Representative (Telemarketing Sales Rep); Telephone Sales Representative (TSR); Telephone Service Representative (TSR); Telesales Representative (Telesales Rep); Telesales Specialist

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.
• Answer telephone calls from potential customers who have been solicited through advertisements.
• Deliver prepared sales talks, reading from scripts that describe products or services, to persuade potential customers to purchase a product or service or to make a donation.
• Telephone or write letters to respond to correspondence from customers or to follow up initial sales contacts.

Knowledge

• Sales and Marketing
• Customer and Personal Service
• English Language
• Administration and Management
• Computers and Electronics
• Communications and Media

Skills

• Speaking
• Active Listening
• Reading Comprehension
• Critical Thinking

Abilities

• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Speech Clarity
• Speech Recognition
• Written Comprehension
• Selective Attention