USING THE TELEPHONE IN YOUR JOB SEARCH
The telephone is one of the most important
job search tools you use. In a matter of minutes, you can get in touch with virtually
anyone in a particular business or organization.
Good telephone techniques can help you uncover valuable information or
secure an interview. It can open doors that otherwise would be closed tight. It can give
you the opportunity to speak to the person with the power to hire you, rather than the
screening secretary.
One of the problems that job seekers face however is "phone
phobia". This is when a person is afraid of using the phone and experiences a kind of
paralysis when phoning a potential employer.
Therefore, they come up with all kinds of reasons to avoid using the
phone.
If you experience phone phobia, you can overcome it by practicing. The
basic reasons for being afraid of the phone is just not knowing what to say or not being
prepared. You can start overcoming this fear by making several phone calls to businesses
or individuals who do not relate to your job search. Some examples include: call the local
newspaper editor and ask questions about local events or about an editorial they had
written recently or call the Mayor's office and ask him/her questions about issues
relating to the area in which you live. By getting used to calling strangers and asking
them questions, you will begin to feel more comfortable using the phone.
When you do begin calling potential employers, you must be prepared by
doing the following:
- Have the employer's name, address, and other pertinent information in
front of you.
- Have your resume readily available in case you need to refer to it.
- Have pencil and paper on hand to write down important information.
- Have a calendar handy to refer to if the employer wants to set up a
meeting with you.
- Have questions written down that you want to ask the employer.
-Prepare, in writing, a short, interesting opening statement that
quickly describes yourself and why you are calling.
- Be ready for their questions as well. The phone call can easily turn
into a kind of screening interview and you need to be ready to answer any type of
question.
If you need assistance in your job search, contact Bob Goyer at
gplaza@gte.net or phone Bob at (740) 382-3132. |
