Thursday Thought November 15, 2012

USE THE PHONE TO GET A JOB

Photo from:  http://www.morguefile.com/creative/mrmac04 

If you are looking for work, whether employed or unemployed, you will need to spend some time on the telephone. If you are like any of my other clients, you hate every minute of it!  So what should you do if you hate to talk on the phone, but know you need to use the phone to get a job?  You guessed it:  Do it anyway!  

Of course it is just not that easy - you want to be effective on the phone by observing proper etiquette as well as having a clear cut agenda for the call. Both are important and you may feel nervous about sounding foolish and/or ruining any chances of being considered for a job or obtaining helpful information. 

FOLLOW GOOD PHONE ETIQUETTE

There are a few factors to be aware of when making phone calls. If talking on the phone doesn't come naturally, you may need to work at it a bit:

• Pick a time when you are at your sharpest, unless you are making a call at a time specified by the contact
• Use a good quality land line if possible
• Hold the phone correctly - not too close or too far (just right!)
• Speak clearly and in a regular cadence
• Provide your name and reason for the call
• Ask if it is a good time
• Obtain information about better time, phone number or other method of communication if necessary
• Be concise - avoid the temptation to use words or language with which you are not comfortable
• Thank the contact for their time

If you have to leave a message include your name, repeating your phone number twice during the message and a sentence or two about the reason for your call.  Request a return call, email or fax - this will give you important information about how the contact prefers to communicate.  Repeat your phone number and thank the contact.

USE A PHONE SCRIPT

You may want to make several scripts, depending on the types of calls you plan to make.  If you are making the call, start with a clear agenda - what do you hope to accomplish?

1. Obtain information about a contact, position, or industry
2. Follow up on an application
3. Secure an interview
4. Determine where the employer is in the hiring process
5. Provide additional information

Once you have an agenda for your call, write out several sentences in large print or type that is double spaced.  Actually write out your name and phone number.  You would be surprised how easy it is to forget your phone number when you are nervous. Just the simple act of seeing this information in print will also calm you and lead you to refer to the rest of your script more easily. 

Practice, practice, practice - in front of a mirror or with someone else, if possible.  You don't want to come across as reading a script. You should be able to just quickly glance down and refer to a certain point in your call and remind yourself of what you want to say.  Check off points as you go, if you like.

Smile!  Believe me, the person on the other end of the line can tell if you are or are not smiling.  It may help to keep a mirror by your phone.  While this may seem silly, it really does work.

If you receive a call, be prepared ahead of time:

1. Ensure your phones are charged and located near a writing surface
2. Have your resume and other documents (such as your prepared scripts) next to the phone
3. There should be paper and pen nearby to write notes or for nervous doodling
4. Make sure the area is well lit and comfortable
5. If you share living space make sure you have a quiet place to close yourself off from others' noise

Above all be mindful of the importance of the task at hand, in this case talking on the telephone.  If you keep your goal in sight it will make it a little easier to use the phone to get a job!

Other articles that may be of interest:

Job Search for the Rest of Us!: Tuesday Tip, September 18, 2012

Sep 18, 2012

Turn off the radio or TV; Turn off your email notifier and another unnecessary reminders; Eat only at the kitchen or dining room table and think only about what you are eating; When on the phone make notes about the call if ...

http://www.jobsearchfortherestofus.com/

Job Search for the Rest of Us!: How to handle disappointment of a ...

Sep 24, 2012

You slow your heart and answer the phone with a gulp and a smile. SLOWLY you ... But, if you find one or more positive aspect or result to making phone calls, you will better be able to appreciate this time spent. It may be ...

http://www.jobsearchfortherestofus.com/

Job Search for the Rest of Us!: Monday Mission, November 5, 2012

Nov 05, 2012

Do you have a working computer, cell phone, fax machine copier, paper and pens, etc? If not, do you know ... Some provide printing, fax and phone services in addition to various short term training programs. Plan. Do you ...

http://www.jobsearchfortherestofus.com/

Job Search for the Rest of Us!: Monday Mission September 17, 2012

Sep 17, 2012

But, if you find one or more positive aspect or result to making phone calls, you will better be able to appreciate this time spent. It may be something as simple as reminding yourself this might be THE employer/job for you.

http://www.jobsearchfortherestofus.com/

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