In this high-tech world the phone may not seem as important as the Internet, but the phone can still wield the power to land you a great job with a top firm.
This can be a fast way to get the right interviews, and using the phone is easier than you think. Of course, some people are totally confident in their ability to use the phone. However, 90% of all job seekers are reluctant to make a “cold call.”
Believe it or not, it’s a mostly friendly and helpful world out there. Most executives are courteous and polite and go out of their way to project a good image of themselves and their company. The same holds true for others such as secretaries or administrative assistants. Still, there is a certain misconception that all secretaries and assistants will always keep you from speaking with their bosses. They do screen calls, but it is part of their job to make sure that contact is made when appropriate.
Using the phone to set interviews is especially important if you are in a small or mid-sized population area, a market not generally considered to be in the country’s top 100 markets. It’s easy to target your best prospects, and you just need to get into action. And, don’t be deterred if your first call doesn’t get you in the door. If it is a company you would really like to join, just call other executives in the organization.
The are different fashions in which to make a call in order to get ahold of the person you are seeking in the company.
One example is acting very assertive.
“Mary, I was surprised to learn this morning that you had sent my letter addressed to Mr. Jones to your Personnel Department. What happened? My note simply suggested a meeting with Mr. Jones. By now it may be all over the company that I am looking for a job.” This could sound too strong if not said with a smile. If you don’t get the response you need, go on. For example, “What we ought to do is this: I need your help to recover the letter from Personnel and have Mr. Jones look at it himself. Obviously, he is the man I must see. Can we do something about that? Should I write to him again and mention what has happened? Perhaps I could send you a copy with a note to give it to him?” Another way of using this style is to say, ”I must speak to Mr. Jones right away, Mary. This is serious. Someone has sent a confidential letter that I addressed to him to other people in your organization, and that worries me very much.” This frequently makes the breakthrough, so be ready with your telephone script for him or her.