Telemarketers

There are many ways to gain practice and poise in telemarketing. Many organizations use volunteer phone workers during campaigns and fund drives. One of the most visible of these is public television stations, which conduct fund-raising drives several times a year and are always looking for volunteer help to staff the phone banks. Other groups that routinely need volunteer telemarketers include local political campaigns, theaters and other arts groups, churches, schools, environmental organizations, and nonprofit social organizations, such as crisis centers and inner-city recreation programs.

Participate in information interviews with telemarketers. During such an interview—which can be conducted in-person, on the phone, or through video-conferencing technology—you will get the opportunity to ask telemarketers about their training, job duties, work environment, pros and cons of their careers, and other topics that will help you to learn more about the field.