Top 10 telephone tips for calling about a job

Top 10 telephone tips for calling about a job Top 10 Telephone Tips For Calling About A JobPosted October 13, 2011, by Josie ChunCalling a future employer can be one of the hardest things for any job seeker to do. For those who arent natural phone people, the mere thought of it can be enough to induce heart palpitations.The telephone is often yur first point of personal contact with a potential employer, so its important to make the interaction a good one. They will get an immediate impression from your telephone manner and tone of voice, and this could make the difference between getting a callback or not.As easy as it is to send your resume by email without bothering to make a call, picking up the phone is always a good idea because it gives you a chance to establish a personal connection and shows an extra degree of initiative and confidence. It just gives that extra personal andeutung and will differentiate you from the other impersonal resumes theyll be receiving. It will also g ive you a chance to get more information about the role and company. If youre lucky, you might be able to establish a rapport with the hiring manager or interviewer over the phone and that could land you a face-to-face interview.1. Call as lead-in or follow-upJob calls can be made either before you send your resume, to get more information and alert the person receiving the resumes that youll be sending yours through or they can be made soon after sending your resume as a follow-up, to introduce yourself and confirm that theyve received it.2. Do your research before you callBefore you call, read the job ad carefully, do an Internet search on the company and visit their website to find out about the products and services they offer, the company structure and culture, the industry and other pertinent information.3. Write down what you want to sayIts always a good idea to write down your key points and questions before you make the call. You dont want to read them verbatim and sound s tilted, but it will help if you have them on greifhand to ensure that you dont miss anything important. Base any questions on the job description or the information you have gleaned from your research. Having specific, well thought-out questions will impress them and show that you have read and researched with care. Also have a copy of your resume on hand in case they ask specific questions about your background and experiences.4. Set yourself upUse a quiet, private room you dont want your call interrupted by screeching children, mobile phones, music or passing traffic. Find somewhere quiet where you can focus and conduct a professional conversation. If you can, use a landline because mobile phones can sometimes drop out or have poor reception. Its also important not to chew gum, eat or drink while talking, but have a glass of water on hand in case your mouth gets dry.5. Practise your spielIts always a good idea to practise what youre going to say aloud before you make the cal l. You can play with different wording and practise until you feel comfortable and relaxed. You want to convey confidence, enthusiasm and energy in your voice. It helps to actually smile while youre talking, as it will make your voice sound brighter and warmer. Also breathe deeply to help you relax.6. Dont forget the nicetiesSay hello, ask for the contact specified in the job ad, address him or her using Ms or Mr, politely state your anthroponym and explain that you are calling about the job opening. Always ask if it is a convenient time to talk first, because they may be in the middle of something. If they dont have time to talk at the moment, ask when would be a more convenient time to call. Its important to not only tell them about yourself, but to listen attentively to everything they say. Jot down notes and ask questions using the information they give you. That will show that youre on the ball and are a good listener. At the end of your call, always thank the person for taking the time to talk to you. Remember to be courteous and professional with everyone you have contact with, including the receptionist. If youve been rude, the boss is sure to hear about it. If you have to leave a voicemail, clearly state your name and number and the purpose of your call. It can help to repeat your phone number just in case.7. Dont waffleWhen making a call, its important to be concise and not waste the other persons time. Avoid waffling and using slang or fillers like um and ah.8. Keep a recordKeep a record of all the calls you make note the date, who you spoke to and what you discussed.9. Follow upAlways follow up calls with an email thanking the person you spoke to for taking the time to talk to you, and attach your resume and a tailored cover letter(with any additional information gleaned from the phone call) if you havent already.10. Tape yourselfAs painful as it can be to listen to the sound of your own voice, taping yourself can be enlightening you may not realise just how much you really do say um and like. You may also be surprised to observe that you speak in an unfriendly-sounding monotone, and if thats the case you could work on brightening up your tone. The energy and warmth you convey in your voice will go a long way towards making a good impression.Here are 10 things you can do right now to make sure you get the jobTop courses in 2017Administration coursesAnimal Care coursesBuilding and Construction coursesCounselling coursesCommunity Services coursesNatural Therapy coursesNursing coursesNutrition coursesProject Management coursesReal Estate coursesSocial Work coursesTravel and Tourism courses ResourcesMy first resumeCover letter for my first jobCareer Insider StoriesShelley Lask - Body Positive Health & FitnessInterested in becoming a?Human Resources OfficerGeneral ManagerBusiness ManagerAccountantOffice AdministratorPopular Career Searchesmodern job advertisementsauditing jobs from homejob adverts showroom managerwhat t raining builder do you have to do to get this jobjob advert retailer CoursesBachelor of Social WorkEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Health AdministrationEnquire Online Enquire OnlineBachelor of Criminal JusticeEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Allied Health AssistanceEnquire Online Enquire OnlineJosie ChunRelated ArticlesBrowse moreStressWellbeingMental Health In The WorkplaceAn overbearing boss, unpleasant working conditions, unrealistic targets, personal health issues, and more can all affect our mood and stress levels in the workplace. 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