What does a call agent do?
A call agent works at call centers where they are primarily in charge of handling inbound and outbound calls. They are usually responsible for offering products and services to clients, answering questions, discussing product specifications, arranging payment plans, and negotiating contracts, building positive relationships in the process. They may also handle complaints, troubleshoot issues, provide step-by-step instructions, and refer them to other services when necessary. Moreover, a call agent maintains records of all transactions and produces detailed reports, coordinating with managers regularly.
Call agent responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real call agent resumes:
- Perform a variety of tasks including preparing PowerPoint presentations and spreadsheets, drafting e-mails or letters, organizing meeting/business luncheons.
- Request any additional information need to determine program eligibility, while following all HIPPA laws and regulations.
Call agent skills and personality traits
We calculated that 31% of Call Agents are proficient in Customer Service, Inbound Calls, and Telephone Calls. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Computer skills, and Customer-service skills.
We break down the percentage of Call Agents that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 31%
Monitored and categorized recorded customer service transactions using defined categorization hierarchy and survey questions to determine areas for improved performance.
- Inbound Calls, 20%
Received inbound calls from customers interested in local seminar enrollment.
- Telephone Calls, 12%
Obtain client information/determine eligibility by answering telephone calls, interviewing clients, and verifying information.
- Credit Card, 4%
Answered billing questions about customer's account and was able to take credit card information over the phone to renew policy
- Outbound Customer Calls, 3%
Managed a high-volume of inbound and outbound customer calls, live chats, and emails related to company e-commerce website.
- Customer Support, 3%
Provided second and third-level customer support for technical, functional and business related issues encountered by internal employees.
Common skills that a call agent uses to do their job include "customer service," "inbound calls," and "telephone calls." You can find details on the most important call agent responsibilities below.
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a call agent to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "customer service representatives must be able to provide clear information in writing, by phone, or in person." Additionally, a call agent resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "maintain communication equipment to ensure that everything is functioning correctly. "
Customer-service skills. call agents are also known for customer-service skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to call agent responsibilities, because "representatives help companies retain customers by professionally answering questions and helping to resolve complaints." A call agent resume example shows how customer-service skills is used in the workplace: "answered a constant flow of customer calls addressed and resolved customer product complaints empathetically and professionally. "
Interpersonal skills. call agent responsibilities often require "interpersonal skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "representatives should be able to create positive interactions with customers." This resume example shows what call agents do with interpersonal skills on a typical day: "handled members calls, customer service,problem solving, interpersonal communication. "
Listening skills. Another crucial skill for a call agent to carry out their responsibilities is "listening skills." A big part of what call agents relies on this skill, since "representatives must listen carefully to ensure that they understand customers in order to assist them." How this skill relates to call agent duties can be seen in an example from a call agent resume snippet: "listened to and analyzed customer calls and answered their financial and technical questions. "
Patience. Lastly, "patience" is an important element of what a call agent does. Call agent responsibilities require this skill because "representatives should be patient and polite, especially when interacting with dissatisfied customers." This resume example highlights how call agent duties rely on this skill: "assist customers in a professional manner, always engaging in excellent customer satisfaction handled cash and credit cards customer service and patience"
The three companies that hire the most call agents are:
- U-Haul2 call agents jobs
- Baptist Health Home Care2 call agents jobs
- Knight Transportation1 call agents jobs
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Call agent vs. Customer service technician
A customer service technician is professional personnel who answers calls and helps customers address technical problems and often travels to homes or businesses in order to repair or maintain products. He/She interacts with his/her customers through phone, face to face, by email, or live chat and provides information about the products that he/she maintains. A customer service technician requires to attain a high school diploma and may need talents such as communication and listening skills.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between call agents and customer service technician. For instance, call agent responsibilities require skills such as "outbound customer calls," "schedule appointments," "customer product complaints," and "medicare." Whereas a customer service technician is skilled in "basic math," "math," "pathogens," and "alertness." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Customer service technicians earn the highest salaries when working in the manufacturing industry, with an average yearly salary of $40,109. On the other hand, call agents are paid more in the finance industry with an average salary of $28,832.customer service technicians tend to reach similar levels of education than call agents. In fact, customer service technicians are 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Call agent vs. Bilingual customer service
In bilingual customer service, a representative specializes in responding to calls using English or another foreign language that the customer prefers. Among their primary responsibilities include assisting customers and addressing any inquiries, concerns, or issues that they may raise. Aside from this, a representative may also recommend or sell products, process refunds or payments, and conduct surveys or polls. Furthermore, a representative needs to build rapport with customers to secure sales or create a substantial client base.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that call agent responsibilities requires skills like "inbound calls," "credit card," "outbound customer calls," and "schedule appointments." But a bilingual customer service might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "data entry," "strong customer service," "excellent organizational," and "excellent interpersonal."
Bilingual customer services may earn a higher salary than call agents, but bilingual customer services earn the most pay in the insurance industry with an average salary of $33,646. On the other hand, call agents receive higher pay in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $28,832.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Bilingual customer services tend to reach similar levels of education than call agents. In fact, they're 1.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Call agent vs. Customer service representative
Customer service representatives are the first point of contact of the customers, acting as the frontiers of the company and help in driving customer loyalty and retention by leaving a great impression and resolving all of their concerns. They accommodate customer queries by providing useful and comprehensive information about any products or services. Some would use that as an opportunity to market and promote more sales. The most challenging issues they use to handle are customer complaints and processing of refunds and returns. They also assist in basic troubleshooting or accounts and payment setup with the use of specific guidelines or step by step procedures. At most, they help and solve customer issues on their own, but sometimes they would need support from supervisors or other departments.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a call agent is likely to be skilled in "inbound calls," "outbound customer calls," "schedule appointments," and "customer product complaints," while a typical customer service representative is skilled in "cleanliness," "pos," "data entry," and "sales floor."
Customer service representatives earn the best pay in the insurance industry, where they command an average salary of $34,074. Call agents earn the highest pay from the finance industry, with an average salary of $28,832.customer service representatives typically earn similar educational levels compared to call agents. Specifically, they're 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Call agent vs. Representative
Representatives are lawmakers who represent the people in a specific district. They run for office to represent their districts in their hometown or their current place of living. Representatives are usually charismatic and good communicators. These characteristics are especially important during campaign and election periods. Representatives should be able to capture the hearts of the voters through their planned projects and advocacies. They are then elected by their constituents. Upon election, representatives author bills that will eventually be passed into law should it be approved by the majority of the congress. They also vote on the passage of bills authored by other representatives. They also participate in discussions and debates regarding different bills, issues, and laws. Representatives are expected to vote according to their conscience and in consideration of the voice of their constituents.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between call agents and representatives, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a call agent might have more use for skills like "outbound customer calls," "customer product complaints," "medicare," and "customer feedback." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of representatives require skills like "cleanliness," "patients," "data entry," and "outbound calls. "
In general, representatives earn the most working in the transportation industry, with an average salary of $36,557. The highest-paying industry for a call agent is the finance industry.In general, representatives hold similar degree levels compared to call agents. Representatives are 3.4% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 1.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of call agent
Updated January 8, 2025











