Telemarketers

What the job really is

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

At a glance

• Sector: Sales
• O*NET-SOC code: 41-9041
• 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:

• 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.
• Adjust sales scripts to better target the needs and interests of specific individuals.
• Obtain names and telephone numbers of potential customers from sources such as telephone directories, magazine reply cards, and lists purchased from other organizations.
• Schedule appointments for sales representatives to meet with prospective customers or for customers to attend sales presentations.
• Conduct client or market surveys to obtain information about potential customers.

Tools and technology

Customer relationship management CRM software, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Salesforce software, Zoom, Acarda Sales Technologies Acarda Outbound, Autodialing equipment, Automatic call distribution software, Call recording systems

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel
• Customer Service Representatives
• Advertising Sales Agents
• Counter and Rental Clerks
• Receptionists and Information Clerks
• New Accounts Clerks
• Demonstrators and Product Promoters
• Retail Salespersons

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

Browse the verified job sources directory, or explore more occupations.

Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Telemarketers — 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.