How to Be Telephone Interviewer - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Dec 16, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The ever-growing use of technology has caused a significant shift in the way companies conduct surveys. Companies are increasingly relying on telephone interviews as an efficient and cost-effective way to collect data. This has had a number of benefits, including the ability to reach out to a larger and more diverse population, obtain more accurate results, and save time and money.

However, it has also had some drawbacks, such as the challenge of engaging with participants, the lack of non-verbal communication cues, and the risk of bias due to interviewer errors. As a result, telephone interviewers must be highly skilled, knowledgeable, and prepared to ensure successful and reliable data collection.

Steps How to Become

Research Employers. Research employers that hire telephone interviewers, such as market research companies, recruitment firms, political campaigns, and polling organizations.
Review Job Description. Read the job descriptions to determine the necessary qualifications and expectations of telephone interviewers.
Gather Qualifications. Gather the necessary qualifications, such as a high school diploma or equivalent, excellent communication skills, and a customer service background.
Update Résumé. Update your résumé to include any relevant qualifications and experience you have that may be necessary for the role.
Apply for Positions. Apply for positions as a telephone interviewer by submitting your résumé and other documentation to the employer.
Complete Interview Process. Successfully complete the interview process, which may include a phone interview and a face-to-face meeting.
Accept Offer. Accept the job offer and complete any necessary paperwork for the position.
Train. Complete any necessary training required for the job, such as customer service or interviewing techniques.
Begin Work. Begin working as a telephone interviewer and follow all company policies and procedures.

Efficient telephone interviewing requires a number of skills, including the ability to listen actively, ask pertinent questions, and maintain a professional demeanor. Listening actively involves not only focusing on the words being spoken but also being attentive to the intonation and body language of the person being interviewed. Asking pertinent questions is also key to successful telephone interviewing; by asking the right questions, the interviewer can gather the most relevant information without wasting the persons time.

Finally, it is important to maintain a professional demeanor when conducting telephone interviews in order to build rapport with the interviewee and ensure that the conversation remains productive. By mastering these skills, telephone interviewers can become more efficient, ensuring that the interviewing process is both successful and enjoyable for both parties involved.

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Job Description

Outbound Telephone Interviewer: Responsible for conducting telephone surveys with customers to collect data and provide feedback to the company.
Inbound Telephone Interviewer: Responsible for receiving incoming calls from customers and providing customer service.
Customer Service Representative: Responsible for responding to customer inquiries, providing information and helping resolve customer issues.
Call Center Representative: Responsible for responding to customer inquiries, providing information and helping resolve customer issues in a call center environment.
Quality Assurance Analyst: Responsible for monitoring telephone conversations to ensure customer service standards are maintained and provide feedback to management.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to think on your feet
Excellent listening and comprehension skills
Ability to be persuasive and assertive
Patience and resilience
Detail oriented
Good problem solving and research skills
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Ability to manage multiple tasks at once
Knowledge of customer service principles and practices

The ability to be an effective telephone interviewer is paramount to success. Being able to successfully engage in a conversation with an individual via telephone requires an array of skills, including an ability to listen attentively, think critically, and respond with empathy and understanding. The ability to ask clear and concise questions is also essential, as it allows the interviewer to gain a better understanding of the interviewees responses.

having excellent communication and interpersonal skills can help to create a comfortable atmosphere, enabling the interviewer to build rapport and trust with their interviewee. Finally, having the ability to remain professional and objective throughout the interview is also key to being a successful telephone interviewer. By possessing these skills, a telephone interviewer can successfully gather the information needed and make the most of the opportunity.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in telephone interviewing?
What techniques do you use to build rapport with your interviewees?
How do you ensure you follow an accurate script while conducting interviews?
What have been some of your biggest successes as a telephone interviewer?
How do you ensure the interviewee provides accurate and honest answers?
How do you handle difficult or uncooperative interviewees?
Describe a time when working under tight deadlines was challenging?
How do you stay motivated during long shifts of interviewing?
How do you ensure the data collected during interviews is accurate and complete?
What strategies do you employ to ensure a high rate of response from potential interviewees?

Common Tools in Industry

Automated Dialing System. Automated dialing systems allow telephone interviewers to quickly connect with a large number of respondents at once. (e. g. Vonage Business Cloud)
Voicemail System. Voicemail systems allow interviewers to leave a prerecorded message for respondents. (e. g. Kall8)
Call Recording System. Call recording systems allow telephone interviewers to record conversations with respondents for quality assurance and review. (e. g. ProCall Enterprise)
Online Survey Platforms. Online survey platforms allow telephone interviewers to quickly and easily create surveys, distribute them, and collect data from respondents. (e. g. SurveyMonkey)
Text Messaging Platforms. Text messaging platforms allow telephone interviewers to send and receive messages to and from respondents. (e. g. Twilio)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Association of Public Opinion Research (AAPOR)
American Statistical Association (ASA)
Market Research Society (MRS)
National Council on Public Polls (NCPP)
Council of American Survey Research Organizations (CASRO)
Insights Association
World Association for Public Opinion Research (WAPOR)
International Association for Survey Statisticians (IASS)
American Marketing Association (AMA)
International Research Association (IRA)

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Common Important Terms

Survey. A survey is a research method used to gather information from a sample of people on a particular topic.
Questionnaire. A questionnaire is a form containing a set of questions used to collect data from a group of people.
Sampling. Sampling is the process of selecting a representative group of people from a larger population for the purpose of conducting research.
Data Collection. Data collection is the process of gathering information from a variety of sources, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, and observations.
Interview. An interview is a structured conversation between two or more people for the purpose of gathering information.
Focus Group. A focus group is a small group of people brought together to discuss a particular topic in order to gather information from the participants.
Telephone Interview. A telephone interview is a structured conversation conducted over the telephone between an interviewer and one or more participants in order to gather information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary role of a Telephone Interviewer?

The primary role of a Telephone Interviewer is to conduct surveys, polls, and other research studies over the phone with respondents.

What skills does a Telephone Interviewer need to possess?

A Telephone Interviewer should have strong communication and interpersonal skills, be able to ask questions in a professional manner, and be comfortable working with a variety of people. Additionally, they should be able to accurately record responses, have a good grasp of research techniques, and be familiar with data collection software.

What kind of hours do Telephone Interviewers typically work?

Telephone Interviewers usually work part-time hours, ranging from 15-20 hours per week. They may also be required to work evenings and weekends depending on the project requirements.

How much does a Telephone Interviewer typically earn?

The average hourly rate for a Telephone Interviewer is around $12.00 - $15.00 per hour.

What kind of environment does a Telephone Interviewer typically work in?

Telephone Interviewers typically work in an office or call center environment and are responsible for making contact with respondents over the phone. They may also be required to use computers or other electronic devices to record responses and enter data.