Telemarketer

Abiding by a script and dialing up a set list of customers can sound overly programmatic and repetitive. But the responsibilities of a telemarketer are multi-dimensional. The never-know-what-you-might-get element associated with calling complete strangers or receiving calls from them requires a calm, cool, and collected mentality. A central objective is generating revenue for your company. To do so means burning up the phone lines, tapping into your inner negotiator, and being nimble enough to persuade prospective clients about the merits of the product you're selling. Another key objective: serving as the bridge between your company and the caller, and in doing so, providing the highest quality customer service possible. Multitasking is also a critical component. As they complete the sale, telemarketers must chat up customers while simultaneously entering their information into a company database. Occasionally, telemarketers might hit a bit of luck when eager customers call up to make a purchase, and then they need only a calming voice to complete the transaction.

The Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) projects the telemarketing industry will grow 7.4 percent from 2010 to 2020, creating approximately 21,500 new positions.

According to the BLS, telemarketers earned $22,520 in 2011, or approximately $10.83 per hour. The best-paid in the occupation earned $39,440 while the lowest-paid earned $16,840 in 2011. Metropolitan areas that compensate telemarketers best are found in Green Bay, Wis., San Jose, Calif., and Norwich, Conn.

Jump-starting your career as a telemarketer will require a high school diploma. Depending on where you work and what product you’re pushing, on-the-job training can last anywhere from two weeks to a full year. With the help of seasoned hands, new employees adjust to the responsibilities of the occupation.

With some jobs mandating inordinate amounts of experience, it can be tough to land an interview, let alone a job. But an exhaustive resume is not needed to become a telemarketer. "The companies that are hiring post things all over," says Chris Haerich, vice president of member services for the Professional Association for Customer Engagement, a nonprofit organization devoted to advancing the interests of companies utilizing contact centers.

If you're interested in selling a particular product for a particular company, Haerich recommends a trip to its local human resources department to inquire about preliminary steps that may have to be taken before getting hired, such as placement tests.