Progressive Dialing

Term from Call Centers industry explained for recruiters

Progressive Dialing is a call center method that helps agents make phone calls more efficiently. It's like an intelligent phone system that dials numbers automatically, but only when an agent is ready for the next call. This is different from older systems that dial multiple numbers at once. Think of it as a helpful assistant that handles the dialing for agents, letting them focus on talking to customers instead of manually dialing numbers. It's more considerate than aggressive calling methods because it reduces hang-ups and silent calls that can frustrate customers. Similar terms include "Preview Dialing" or "Power Dialing."

Examples in Resumes

Managed a team of 20 agents using Progressive Dialing systems to improve contact rates

Increased customer contact success by 40% through implementing Progressive Dialing technology

Trained new hires on Progressive Dialing and Preview Dialing systems

Typical job title: "Call Center Managers"

Also try searching for:

Call Center Supervisor Contact Center Manager Outbound Call Center Manager Telesales Manager Customer Service Manager Operations Manager Dialing Systems Manager

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you measure and improve the effectiveness of a Progressive Dialing system?

Expected Answer: A strong answer should discuss monitoring key metrics like contact rates, abandoned calls, agent idle time, and customer satisfaction. They should mention adjusting dialing rates based on data and agent feedback.

Q: How do you balance agent productivity with customer experience when using Progressive Dialing?

Expected Answer: Look for answers that show understanding of both efficiency and customer service quality, such as setting appropriate pause times between calls and ensuring proper staffing levels.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What are the main differences between Progressive Dialing and Predictive Dialing?

Expected Answer: Should explain that Progressive Dialing waits for an agent to be ready before dialing, while Predictive Dialing makes multiple calls at once and can lead to abandoned calls.

Q: How do you train agents to effectively use Progressive Dialing systems?

Expected Answer: Should discuss creating training materials, monitoring call quality, providing feedback, and helping agents manage their time between calls effectively.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is Progressive Dialing and how does it help agents?

Expected Answer: Should explain that it's an automated system that dials numbers for agents when they're ready, saving time and making the calling process more efficient.

Q: What are the basic features of a Progressive Dialing system?

Expected Answer: Should mention automatic dialing, call logs, basic reporting capabilities, and the ability to pause between calls.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic understanding of dialing systems
  • Call handling and customer service
  • Simple reporting and metrics tracking
  • Team collaboration

Mid (2-5 years)

  • System configuration and optimization
  • Agent training and development
  • Performance monitoring
  • Campaign management

Senior (5+ years)

  • Strategic planning and implementation
  • Team leadership and management
  • Advanced analytics and reporting
  • Process optimization

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No experience with any type of dialing systems
  • Poor understanding of customer service principles
  • Lack of experience with performance metrics
  • No knowledge of call center compliance regulations
  • Unable to explain basic call center operations