You Never Get a Second Chance to Make a First Impression
1) Always identify yourself and your intent at the very beginning of your phone conversation.
2) Never state things in the negative, like, “You wouldn’t be hiring any high school students, would you ?
3) Be positive, but not pushy. Express confidence, but not arrogance.
4) Be a good listener. Don’t be so anxious to express your need or desire that you become rude by not listening or interrupting.
5) Make sure you use proper vocabulary and pronunciation! (Especially be aware of vocabulary that specifically has to do with the occupation field you are expressing interest in.)
6) If you are not well received, or do not get the attention you desired, make sure to end the conversation pleasantly, to leave the door open for future contacts for yourself and for other students of your program.
7) When asking for an interview, have your ideas and words planned out ahead of time. What type of position are you interested in. What related experience do you have. Remember, you may find yourself doing some of the interview right over the phone during your first contact. Don’t be caught off guard.
8) Whatever you do, don’t use any crude language or profanity!
9) Don’t make any derogatory comments about anybody or anything. Remember, you want to make a positive impression, and you can’t leave a positive impression by being negative.
10) Make sure and have specific information for the employer to use to make a follow-up contact with you. Have your schedule written down, along with all of you contact information, such as phone numbers, email address, and fax number. This way, when asked a question concerning these things, you can give a quick, alert response. (After all, the employer would likely want his employees to be able to respond with proficiency to calls coming into his business place.)
11) Don’t go on and on about anything. Make your call as brief as possible and still accomplish the purpose of your contact. The employer is trying to run a business, and doesn’t likely want someone on board who is going to waste precious time with chit chat.
12) You want to be received as a mature responsible potential employee. Present your conversation in such a way as to express that this is who you are.
CALLING FOR A JOB INTERVIEW
Have a calendar available to use when choosing a date. Take out a street map for directions. Have your resume in front of your eyes in case you need to refer to your background. Determine how or who will get you to and from the interview. Alert household members you are going to make the call. Do not be eating or drinking during the phone call. Have a pen and paper available to write on.
SCRIPT - Ring, ring.....
Student: May I please speak to Mr. Jones. I am interested in making an appointment for a job interview for the (name job title) position. My name is ................... (first and last name).
Secretary: Yes, hold on please. I will get Mr. Jones.
Mr. Jones: Hello, may I help you?
Student: Mr. Jones, I am very interested in the (name job title) position. May I make an appointment to come in for a job interview? My name is .............. (first and last name).
Mr. Jones: Certainly. Would you like to come in this Friday at 3 p.m.?
Student: Yes, Friday at 3 p.m. will be fine. Will I be meeting with you at the store?
Mr. Jones: No, see my assistant manager, Mrs. Brown.
Student: Thank you Mr. Jones. I will be there on Friday.
How would you handle these situations?
a. Wrong telephone number or no one answers the phone.
b. The person whom you are calling is not in.
c. You leave a message and the person does not call you back.
d. You get an answering machine or a voice message service when calling.
e. You cannot make the appointment or you wish to cancel the appointment.
f. The employer starts to conduct the interview over the telephone.