How to Hire the Best Telemarketing Employees

By Barry Thomsen

If you hire the right telemarketing people and put them in the right environment, your business is guaranteed to prosper. Keep in mind that people who are successful at telemarketing are a different breed from other employees:

1. They may not be as punctual.
2. They need more breaks and shorter hours so they can be refreshed and ready for each series of calls.
3. Since your customers and prospects will probably never meet your telemarketers, looks and appearance won't matter much. These employees may have a different dress code than others in your company, especially if they work in a separate area.
4. They may also have different work hours—late afternoon and evening—to better reach your customers.

How do you know if your telemarketers can perform the job necessary to increase sales? Not everyone is cut out for this work. Certain qualities are needed for success and you should be looking for them. Keep an eye out for these characteristics everywhere you go. When you find a good prospect, give them your business card.

Characteristics of a great telemarketer:

• A pleasant and easy-to-listen-to phone voice
• Speaks at a speed that is not too fast or too slow
• Uses proper grammar and correct pronunciation
• Is a good listener
• Speaks loudly enough without offending
• Is someone with whom you would enjoy having a conversation
• Is persistent without being pushy
• Knows when to stop talking
• Has a sense of humor without being silly
• Is up on current events
• Is friendly and likes meeting people
• Is enthusiastic
• Sounds confident and reassuring
• Believes in your products or services
• Is someone you'd want to buy from over the phone

You may have other criteria that pertain to your particular industry. Don't settle for less than you're comfortable with or you'll just have to start the search all over again. Do a trial run through your script or outline and listen to see if the person is comfortable with it. Be sure to interview potential candidates in person as well as over the phone, in order to get a complete picture before hiring him or her.

Covering all of these issues up front will ensure positive results later.

To learn more, consider these AMA seminars:

• Coaching Your Sales Team
  
• Recruiting, Interviewing and Selecting Employees
  

Author Bio: Barry Thomsen is Publisher/Editor of Small Business Idea-Letter and Small Business Consultant. Contact: 877-700-1322 or idealetter@aol.com, available by subscription.