Telephone Operators

Telephone operators may have opportunities for advancement to positions as service assistant, and later to group or assistant chief operator. Chief operators plan and direct the activities of a central office, as well as personnel functions and the performance of the employees. Service assistants may sometimes advance to become private branch exchange (PBX) service advisers, who go to individual businesses, assess their phone needs, and oversee equipment installation and employee training. Some telephone operators take other positions within a telephone company, such as a clerical position, and advance within that position.

Opportunities for advancement usually depend on the employee's personal initiative, ability, experience, length of employment, and job performance, as well as the size of the place of employment and the number of supervisors needed. Most telephone company operators are members of a union, and the union specifies the time and steps to advance from one position to another. However, many operators can become qualified for a higher level position but then need to wait for years for an available opening. Some telephone operators become PBX or switchboard operators in corporations and large businesses.