Telemarketers

Career summary

Telemarketers may also be called telephone interviewers, appointment setters, telephone solicitors, or telesales representatives or specialists.

Telemarketers take orders for businesses and ask people to donate money to charities. They call potential customers to explain a service or product. They quote prices to persuade people to buy or subscribe. Telemarketers may set up appointments with sales representatives or agents.

Telemarketers follow a prepared sales script. They work from lists of customers' names or pages from phone books. Their call lists may include people who bought products, services, or memberships before, or donated money. Telemarketers keep records of their calls and the results. They make most calls during the evening when more people are home.

Some telemarketers carry out opinion polls and surveys. They may interview people to find out about their spending habits or political views. They may also call for opinions about products or services.

Related careers

This career is part of the Marketing cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Advertising Salespeople
• Bill and Account Collectors
• Customer Service Representatives
• Interviewing Clerks
• Receptionists
• Retail Salespeople
• Sales Representatives
• Telephone Operators

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to telemarketers.

• Contact customers by phone to offer or persuade them to buy products or services, or to donate to charity.
• Explain products and services over the phone using a prepared script.
• Answer questions from customers.
• Write orders for products in the computer.
• Keep track of calls made.
• Receive names and telephone numbers of potential customers from a variety of sources.
• Make changes to sales scripts to target specific customers.
• Answer telephone calls from potential customers.
• Follow up with potential customers by telephone or letters.
• Maintain records of contacts, accounts, and orders.
• Set up appointments for sales representatives.
• Conduct surveys to gather information about potential customers or products.
• Arrange for payment and delivery of services.

Common work activities

Telemarketers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Convince others to buy goods or change their minds or actions
• Use computers
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Get information needed to do the job
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Document and record information
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Process information
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Make decisions and solve problems

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, telemarketers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of social contact. They work with customers and coworkers.
• Deal with angry or unpleasant people on a daily basis.
• Are sometimes placed in conflict situations.
• Communicate with coworkers and customers daily by telephone or in person.
• Write letters and memos on a monthly basis.
• Work with a group or as part of a team.

Physical work conditions

• Always work indoors.
• Are often exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting and uncomfortable.
• Work near other people, but usually have a few feet of space separating them from coworkers.

Work performance

• Must be exact in their work.
• Must often repeat the same mental activities, such as convincing a customer to buy a product.
• Must often make decisions that affect customers. They consult supervisors for some decisions, but make most without talking to a supervisor.
• Are able to set some tasks for the day without talking to a supervisor.
• Are moderately competitive with other telemarketers.
• Must meet strict deadlines on a weekly basis.

Hours/travel

• Generally have a set schedule each week.
• May work part or full time, but most work less than 40 hours a week.
• Often work evenings. May work weekends.
• May work on short-term jobs or assignments.

Physical demands

Telemarketers frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Repeat the same movements.

It is important for telemarketers to be able to:

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand the speech of another person.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for telemarketers to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.

Skills and abilities

Telemarketers need to:

Communicate

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Understand spoken information.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Understand written information.

Reason and problem solve

• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.

Work with people

• Persuade others to approach things differently.
• Look for ways to help people.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study to consider

• Behavioral Sciences
• Business, General
• Family and Consumer Sciences, General
• Marketing

Training

To work as a telemarketer, you typically need to:

• complete short-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

No formal education is required for this occupation. However, many employers prefer that you have a high school diploma or its equivalent.

On-the-job training

Telemarketers learn their skills on the job. They also learn about the product or service they are selling. You may receive training for up to one month.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Computer Fundamentals
• Principles of Sales
• Public Speaking

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Most employers prefer a high school diploma or equivalent. A few may require a bachelor's degree if they are selling items requiring a particular knowledge. Employers prefer enthusiastic, persistent, highly motivated people. They look for people with a pleasant speaking voice. They may also look for people with good keyboarding skills. For permanent, full-time telephone sales jobs, employers may require sales experience.

Employers look for workers who are able to read well and can speak, write, and understand English. Some companies also seek workers who are bilingual. Experience working with the public, in public service or sales, will improve one's chance of being hired full time instead of part time.

Tips

Employers prefer to hire applicants who are positive and assertive and have persuasive presentation skills. The ability to speak Spanish is important for some jobs.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Telemarketers 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

The minimum wage for Washington State as of January 1, 2020 is $13.50 per hour. Some areas of the state may have a higher minimum wage.

Wages vary by employer and the telemarketer's level of responsibility. Many telemarketers earn commissions on products or services they sell. Income varies by month when working on commission.

Telemarketers who work full time may earn benefits such as paid vacation and health insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Telemarketing positions are located throughout the nation. These jobs are located in small towns as well as big cities.

Major employers:

• Telemarketing firms
• Temporary work agencies

National outlook

Demand for this occupation is declining. Direct selling has moved to the Internet, e-mail, and postal mail. Many people have also asked telemarketers to take them off the call list. The national Do Not Call registry has affected sales made through telemarketing, which in turn has affected the number of jobs. Finally, some companies are hiring workers in other countries because they can be paid less than US workers.

There will be many openings because this is a large occupation. Applicants with patience, persistence, sales ability, and experience fare best.

Other resources

Direct Selling Association 
1667 K Street NW, Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20006
202.452.8866

Professional Association for Customer Engagement 
5250 E US 36, Suite #1102B
Avon, IN 46123
317.816.9336

References

Career cluster

• Marketing

Career path

• Enterprising (Business Communications)

O*Net  occupation

• Telemarketers (41-9041.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed.

DOT occupation

• Telephone Solicitor (299.357-014) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Enterprising/Conventional/Realistic

COPSystem

• Business Skilled