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The Telephone is just a little faster...

...than just going out there and “hoofing it”. One of the basic skills you should have just for looking for a job is organization.  One tool that is very useful is an Employer Contact List.
 

You can keep track of your appointments and follow-ups. Did I say follow-ups? So many times we just go get an application, take it back, hand it to anyone there, and grumble because they didn’t call or make any effort to get in touch. I know how frustrating it can be to continue to follow up and have someone fill the job while you are still following up. It would have been nicer to just say, “No, you’re too old. I want a young chick.” Or, “We’re looking for someone who can dance rings around you.” At least, you know where you stand and you no longer have to waste time. But, with today’s lawsuit threats, no manager is going to come right out and say he or she is looking elsewhere. So, much time is taken up chasing rainbows.

 

With an Employer’s Contact Sheet you can write down how many contacts are made and when. If an employer tells to contact them at a certain day and time, make sure you contact them exactly when they say to. After the third contact, unless it is a thank you for hiring you, back off and do not schedule another contact for a couple of months.

 

Now, if you are using the telephone to do your walking, there are things you do want to keep in mind when you call.

1.    introduce yourself

2.    If the ad or contact did not give you the name of the person you should contact for the job, ask who the appropriate person would be.

3.    If asked you want to know right now what skills and qualifications you have for this job.

4.    You should have a plan on closing the conversation. You can usually tell by the voice of the person you are talking to that they have the information they need. Quickly go through the list of things you needed to know and see that you have all the information you need. Then, close.

Sample Phone Call:

 

 

Receptionist: Good Morning, Teeny Weenie Tools for Teeny Weenie Jobs. I’m Catherine Aimsby, How may I help You?

 

Peter: Hello and good morning.  My name is Peter Gnomes and I am inquiring about the opening you have in clerical. May I please speak with the individual that would be conducting the interviews for that position?

 

Receptionist: Yes, that would be Mr. Johnson in office personnel. I believe that position has already been filled, sir. You may want to try back in a couple of weeks.

 

Peter: May I speak to Mr. Johnson about the prospects of future hiring?

 

Receptionist: No problem, I’ll switch you over to personnel. One moment, please.

 

Maintenance: Joe Smith, here.

 

Peter: May I speak to Mr. Johnson, please.

 

Maintenance: We don’t have a Mr. Johnson on the maintenance staff, you must have the wrong number.

 

Peter: The receptionist transferred me to this number. Must have been a mistake. Can you transfer me to personnel?

 

Maintenance: OK. Hold on a minute, I’ll have to look up the number. (Pause) OK. Just hold on.

 

Secretary: Ms. George, Personnel, How may I help You?

 

Peter: Yes, my name is Peter Gnomes. May I speak with Mr. Johnson?

 

Secretary: In relation to…?

 

Peter: I am calling in relation to the clerical position you have open.

 

Secretary: Hold on, he just walked into his office.

 

Hiring Manager: Johnson here, how may I help you.

 

Peter: Mr. Johnson, my name is Peter Gnomes and I’m calling in reference to the clerical job opening.

 

Hiring Manager: We are just ending the interviewing stage for that position. You need to get your resume in immediately for consideration.

 

Peter: Would it be alright if I brought in to your office today Mr. Johnson? I can also fill out any other necessary paper work.

 

Hiring Manager: That would be fine. I guess you might as well fill out the employment application while you’re here. Tell the secretary to call me when you arrive. I would like to meet you.

 

Peter: I would like to meet you also, Mr. Johnson. I have done some research on your company and I feel you really fill a need. I like your benefit package, and I think I would fit right in with the skills I have. I have read that your work environment is one of the best in the state and I look forward to being on your team.

 

Hiring Manager: Sounds great, Mr. Gnomes. I will see you soon.

 

Peter: Thank you sir, I will be there in about two hours. See you soon, goodbye.

 

 

Note that:

 

Telephone Call Tips:

  1. Peter was professional, polite, and had indirect control.
  2. Peter did not let problems deter him from his goal.
  3. Peter used formality and last names.
  4. Peter did show an air of personability and familiarity when needed.
  5. Peter did not give up. He lead people where he wanted to go.
  6. Peter did achieve his goals.

 

Always get the name and extension of the hiring manager.

 

Writing out scenarios like the above and practicing them will help you to get into automatically responding to whatever problem may arise between you and your goal. Actually, it would be good to write out what you want to be your goal with the telephone call in the beginning.

 

              Have a friend or former or fellow employee listen to your telephone presentation and practice scripts like the one above until you Feel                                                                                                                                                                                                  comfortable approaching a prospective employer.

 

Do research on the company you are calling. This lets the company know that you are not just coming in off the street. Instead, you have made an effort to become familiar with the company before you even applied for a job. This will greatly impress the person responsible for hiring.

 

When you ask a question, be patient and allow the person to answer.

 

If there is minor information that you might have forgotten to get, have someone else call and get it for you. This way it will not appear that you are absent-minded and cause trouble for you up the road.

 

Remember that you have so much time in a day. If you are using public transportation, it is good to schedule an hour travel time each way. Always arrive for an interview early.