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What is a PBX Operator?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A private branch exchange (PBX) operator is a person who operates a telephone switchboard. Switchboards are used by large businesses, such as hotels, to handle calls internally as well as receive incoming calls. To become a PBX operator, it is usually necessary to have a high school degree, and it can be beneficial to hold a certification from a technical college that provides people with administration skills. PBX operators usually learn on the job from experienced personnel.

At an organization that uses a PBX, the PBX operator is the first person callers hear when they make a call. The operator receives calls and routes them to appropriate departments, as well as handling short questions and requests for assistance. PBX operators may also take messages, offer wake up calls at facilities like hotels, and coordinate radio communication between different departments.

A PBX operator routes calls for a corporation or organization.
A PBX operator routes calls for a corporation or organization.

Another part of the PBX operator's role is the management of internal calls. People call each other internally on their own lines with the assistance of the operator, who connects people as needed to different people and departments. People who want to call out also go through the PBX operator. PBX operators can also administer voicemail and answering systems, depending on how the phone system is set up and the preferences of the company.

A courteous and patient personality is needed to become a PBX operator.
A courteous and patient personality is needed to become a PBX operator.

Historically, this work was done with an electromagnetic switchboard. Phone operators plugged and unplugged lines to connect calls and listened in to confirm that the call quality remained consistent and to close the connection when the call was complete. Today, operators usually work with computerized systems. These systems are much easier to use and tend to make it easier for operators to multitask while handling calls.

Working as a PBX operator requires good people skills, as operators are literally the voice of the companies they work for.
Working as a PBX operator requires good people skills, as operators are literally the voice of the companies they work for.

Working as a PBX operator requires good people skills, as operators are literally the voice of the companies they work for. They must also work with people in many different departments. It's also important to be able to handle a crowded and stressed environment and to handle multiple tasks at the same time without becoming flustered or angry.

The development of computerized systems has meant that some facilities have replaced their human PBX operators with automated systems. These systems answer phone calls with a recording and route calls automatically in response to commands from callers. Some use voice recognition and others require people to input numeric codes. In these situations, there may not be an actual operator sitting behind the switchboard to process calls.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a PracticalAdultInsights researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a PracticalAdultInsights researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon953554

The disadvantage of being a switchboard operator is that you must be very patient and have pleasant attitude to those who you are speaking too but if you do not have such qualities, I would not take such a job if I were you.

Esther11

A friend of mine works as a PBX operator in a large hotel in San Francisco. If you want to land a job as a PBX operator, you must have a positive customer service attitude. She told me that a very important responsibility is to help the customer in any way possible.

You need to have a nice sounding voice and be polite. Learn to be calm - the job is sometimes very stressful.

One very good advantage to having this job is that you get to know about the various departments in the hotel. You may want to move into another department someday!

BabaB

It is a little surprising that telephone switchboard systems are still handled by humans in large companies. The stress level must get pretty high sometimes. They need to stay calm and not get flustered. I'm sure I couldn't handle that job.

Decades ago they used to have the plug in kind, where the operator had to open and close each call by plugging in or out. I remember a comedienne, Lily Tomlin, used to do a skit, where she was a PBX operator. She plugged in a call and said, "Is this the party to whom I am speaking?" And then would give a snorty laugh.

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    • A PBX operator routes calls for a corporation or organization.
      By: contrastwerkstatt
      A PBX operator routes calls for a corporation or organization.
    • A courteous and patient personality is needed to become a PBX operator.
      By: auremar
      A courteous and patient personality is needed to become a PBX operator.
    • Working as a PBX operator requires good people skills, as operators are literally the voice of the companies they work for.
      By: pst
      Working as a PBX operator requires good people skills, as operators are literally the voice of the companies they work for.