What are careers in a call center?

Call taker, collections specialist, and data entry clerk are careers in a call center. Here are some details on these careers and others in a call center:

• Call taker

  A call taker is a professional at a call center that acts as the first person of contact when a customer reaches out to the center. Oftentimes they take down basic information about the customer or about a possible issue the customer is having, and then they direct their call to someone who is specialized in the customer's inquiry or concern.

  The main function of a call taker is to act as an operator. They filter and direct calls to other departments of the call center or company.

  Most call taker positions only require a high school diploma or equivalent. Customer service experience is also helpful in getting a job as a call taker.

  The average salary of a call taker in the United States is $37,759 per year.

• Collections Specialist

  A collections specialist is a professional in a call center who seeks payments for debts owed to the company. Companies provide a collections specialist with a call list of individuals that owe debts, and then they contact them and try to recover the debt or a portion of it. In certain instances, a collections specialist may offer to settle the debt at a reduced amount.

  Collections specialists must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Skills involving money transactions and computers are also helpful.

  The average salary of a collections specialist in the United States is $35,558 per year.

• Data entry clerk

  A data entry clerk works at a call center, inputting different kinds of information into computer databases. They also often come up with new possibilities on who the call center should contact and keep lists of contacts and people that have already been contacted.

  In certain instances, a data entry clerk may be asked to enter non-digital information into a database.

  Data entry clerks need a high school diploma or equivalent and should also possess computer skills. Previous record-keeping experience is also valued in this position.

  The average salary of a data entry clerk in the United States is $35,450 per year.

• Call center supervisor

  A call center supervisor sometimes works for an individual call center or for a company that runs multiple call centers. Their main objective is to oversee the different teams working in the call center and delegate tasks. They update company goals and policies accordingly.

  Certain call centers have multiple call center supervisors. For example, one might manage a team that is making outbound sales calls, while another supervisor might manage a team of customer service representatives.

  Call center supervisors have at least a high school diploma or equivalent and may also have an associate's or bachelor's degree in a relevant area. Previous managerial experience is a requirement, although in many cases, call center supervisors work their way up the ladder from an entry-level position at the company.

  The average salary for a call center supervisor in the United States is $43,098 per year.

• Customer service representative

  A customer service representative fields call from customers that have questions or concerns regarding a company's products and services. They often have pre-written scripts to follow in frequent customer service scenarios.

  For instance, a customer service representative might have a script for a specific walkthrough of a program function because the company has received a high number of phone calls about it. In some cases, customer service representatives also take incoming calls from potential customers and put in orders for products or services.

  A customer service representative must have a high school diploma or equivalent. They must also possess customer service skills because this is integral to their job.

  The average salary of a customer service representative in the United States is $50,322 per year.