Telemarketer

Your Fit

Income

$34K

Preparation

Some

Growth

-20.6%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Telemarketer?

A Telemarketer is a professional who utilizes telephone communication to market and sell products or services directly to consumers. They are responsible for persuading potential customers to purchase items, donate to causes, or sign up for services.

Sample job titles:

Telemarketer, Telephone Sales Representative (TSR), Telephone Service Representative (TSR), Telesales Representative (Telesales Rep)

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Telemarketer.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Telemarketer earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) in 2024 was...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$25K per year	$29K per year	$34K per year	$39K per year	$49K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $15K below the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Telemarketer do?

Work environment

Telemarketers typically work in call centers or offices equipped with a computer, telephone, and headset. The environment is fast-paced and target-driven, with a focus on making a high volume of calls each day. Some telemarketing positions may offer remote work opportunities.

Quick task list

Makes outbound calls to potential customers.
Delivers scripted sales pitches and handles customer queries.
Gathers customer information and enters data into databases.
Meets or exceeds sales targets.
Follows up on previous customers for potential sales.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Business-to-Business (B2B) Telemarketing: Specializing in selling products or services to other businesses.
Consumer Telemarketing: Focusing on direct sales to individual consumers.
Fundraising Telemarketing: Working for charities and non-profits to solicit donations.
Survey and Market Research Telemarketing: Conducting surveys and collecting data for market research purposes.
Debt Collection Telemarketing: Specializing in making calls to collect debts or overdue payments.

Description

Telemarketing is a challenging yet rewarding profession for those with strong communication skills and a persuasive nature. It involves engaging with a diverse range of people, often in different geographic locations, over the phone. Telemarketers need to be adept at quickly establishing rapport, understanding customer needs, and effectively communicating the benefits of a product or service.

Adaptability and resilience are key traits in this role, as telemarketers frequently encounter rejection and must maintain a positive attitude. The ability to handle objections and think on one's feet is crucial. Telemarketers also need to be detail-oriented to accurately track sales and customer information.

The occupation offers opportunities for people with various educational backgrounds and can be a stepping stone to advanced positions in sales and marketing. Success in telemarketing can lead to roles in sales management, marketing, customer relations, and other areas.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

The thrill of closing a sale and meeting targets.
Developing excellent communication and negotiation skills.
Opportunities for bonuses and commission based on performance.

You might make a good Telemarketer if you are...

An excellent communicator with persuasive skills.
Resilient and able to handle rejection.
Motivated by targets and results.
Organized and detail-oriented.
Comfortable with repetitive tasks and routine.

Pros:

Potential for high earnings through commissions and bonuses.
Development of strong sales and communication skills.
Opportunities for career advancement in various sales and marketing roles.

Cons:

High-pressure environment with strict sales targets.
Repetitive nature of work and potential for customer rejection.
May require working odd hours, including evenings and weekends.

How to become a Telemarketer

Typical education

A high school diploma is usually sufficient for entry into this field. Training is typically provided on the job, including product knowledge and sales techniques. Additional courses in communication or sales can be beneficial.

High school preparation

Courses:

Communication Studies for developing effective speaking skills.
Business Studies to understand basic sales principles.
Psychology to learn about consumer behavior and persuasion techniques.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Participating in debate or drama clubs to enhance speaking abilities.
Volunteering in fundraising activities to gain experience in persuasion and sales.
Working part-time in customer service or sales roles.

Preparation after high school

Attending workshops or training programs in sales techniques and customer service.
Gaining experience in entry-level sales or customer service positions.
Pursuing certifications or courses in telemarketing, sales, or related fields.

More resources

American Teleservices Association (ATA) - Offers resources and best practices for professionals in the teleservices industry.
National Association of Sales Professionals (NASP) - Provides sales training and certification programs.
Toastmasters International - Enhances public speaking and communication skills, useful for telemarketing.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.