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43-2011.00 · Task explorer

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service: reported tasks and exploration worksheet

Operate telephone business systems equipment or switchboards to relay incoming, outgoing, and interoffice calls. May supply information to callers and record messages.

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This source lists 19 tasks, including 12 marked Core and 7 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.

Task source dates: 08/2022.

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19 tasks shown

Core · Task 4630 · 08/2022 · Incumbent

Operate communication systems, such as telephone, switchboard, intercom, two-way radio, or public address.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 4631 · 08/2022 · Incumbent

Answer incoming calls, greeting callers, providing information, transferring calls or taking messages as necessary.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 20431 · 08/2022 · Incumbent

Greet visitors, log them in and out of the facility, assign them security badges, and contact employee escorts.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 20430 · 08/2022 · Incumbent

Monitor emergency and code alarms, make emergency announcements, or route emergency calls to the appropriate location.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 4640 · 08/2022 · Incumbent

Record messages, suggesting rewording for clarity or conciseness.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 4633 · 08/2022 · Incumbent

Page individuals to inform them of telephone calls, using paging or interoffice communication equipment.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 4634 · 08/2022 · Incumbent

Relay or route written or verbal messages.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 20432 · 08/2022 · Incumbent

Perform various cash handling tasks, such as collecting payments, making bank deposits, or managing petty cash.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 4635 · 08/2022 · Incumbent

Place telephone calls or arrange conference calls as instructed.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 20428 · 08/2022 · Incumbent

Process incoming or outgoing mail, packages, or deliveries.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 20427 · 08/2022 · Incumbent

Perform various data entry or word processing tasks, such as updating phone directories, typing or proofreading documents, or creating schedules.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 20429 · 08/2022 · Incumbent

Perform administrative tasks, such as accepting orders, scheduling appointments or meeting rooms, or sending and receiving faxes.

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My example, evidence or question

Supplemental · Task 4637 · 08/2022 · Incumbent

Monitor alarm systems to ensure that secure conditions are maintained.

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My example, evidence or question

Supplemental · Task 4638 · 08/2022 · Incumbent

Contact security staff members when necessary, using radio-telephones.

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My example, evidence or question

Supplemental · Task 4643 · 08/2022 · Incumbent

Complete forms for sales orders.

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My example, evidence or question

Supplemental · Task 4642 · 08/2022 · Incumbent

Answer simple questions about clients' businesses, using reference files.

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My example, evidence or question

Supplemental · Task 4641 · 08/2022 · Incumbent

Stamp messages with time and date and file them appropriately.

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My example, evidence or question

Supplemental · Task 4639 · 08/2022 · Incumbent

Keep records of calls placed and charges incurred.

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My example, evidence or question

Supplemental · Task 20433 · 08/2022 · Incumbent

Place orders, such as for equipment, supplies, or catering for meetings.

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Make the shortlist useful

Choose one to three activities that tell you something different about the work. Avoid selecting several ways of describing the same interest.
For each, write an example you can discuss or a question that would change your understanding of the role.
Keep source task IDs with your notes so you can return to the same description. Do not include private employer or customer information.

The exported worksheet distinguishes the reported task from your own notes. It supports exploration, not a hiring decision or a validated assessment.

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Download before leaving this page. Unsaved writing remains only in the page and is cleared on refresh. Notes and learning actions are not sent to a server. This guide describes an occupation and supports study planning; it does not provide clinical, legal or equipment-operating procedures.

Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.