There are different types of order takers for different industries in business. This person generally interacts with customers in person or over the phone, accepting their requests for various goods or services, and entering these requests into a computer system. The job is generally considered to be a customer service position, and virtually anyone who wants to can succeed at this job, regardless of education beyond high school.
An order taker may work for any business where customers call in to place orders rather than going into a physical store to shop. He or she will likely need to wear a headset with earpieces and a microphone for the duration of his shift, and to sit at a desk working on a computer. When a customer calls, the employee will need to be pleasant and polite, as well as to answer any questions the potential customer may have about their purchase.
The person will then need to enter the customer's selections into the system, as well as to collect additional information such as name, address, phone number, and payment information. He or she might be able to give the customer a shipping or delivery estimate, or offer other options to ensure that the item arrives faster. Some order takers have monthly sales quotas they need to meet, so they might be encouraged to "up-sell" items to customers in order to get them to purchase more of an item or a more expensive item.
Order takers may also work in the hospitality industry. A reservations agent, for example, assists potential guests in making reservations for a desired room or rooms for a chosen length of time. A person who works for hotel room service is another type, and this person may work for the kitchen or front desk, and answer the phone when guests call to order food.
People who do this job may also be responsible for resolving problems when customers or guests call. For instance, if a customer orders a particular item and then decides to return it, the order taker may need to help him or her to ensure that the customer's account is properly credited for the return. Anyone who wants to do this particular job should enjoy working with people and possess the ability to remain calm. The position might not have regular hours, because some call centers are open 24 hours per day for the convenience of the customer; however, some may also be able to earn extra commission from meeting or exceeding sales goals.