Securing a job is one of the most important aspects of finding success in our professional lives. Most of the time, job applications are completed through the internet and interviews are conducted over the phone. When it comes to making that crucial first impression, it’s important to know what to say when calling for a job. Whether you’re a seasoned professional preparing to make a career switch or a novice job-seeker just starting out, crafting the perfect job pitch is a must. Knowing what to say, when to say it and how to say it can be a daunting task, however with a few tips and tricks, you can ensure your phone call is well received and sets you on the path to success. In this blog post, we’ll cover the basics of what to say when calling for a job, how to create the perfect pitch, and tips for making a good impression. By the end of this post, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge needed to make a confident and effective phone
- Reach out to your professional network. …
- Aim for department managers. …
- Send your resume and cover letter beforehand. …
- Prepare an opening statement. …
- Introduce yourself. …
- Ask for a reschedule if they’re too busy. …
- Mention your mutual connection. …
- Quickly describe your most relevant qualifications.
What to say when calling for a job
You can take a number of actions to increase the efficacy of your job call. Some of them are:
1. Reach out to your professional network
Before making the call, you must locate the hiring manager. You can do that by using your professional contacts to identify someone who will likely supervise the type of job you want to pursue within the organization. Ideally, once you establish a connection with a hiring manager, you can request a referral. This will enable you to start the phone call by mentioning that your mutual acquaintance advised you to get in touch.
2. Aim for department managers
Although human resources staff typically screen job candidates, contacting department managers directly will probably increase your chances of getting an interview.
3. Send your resume and cover letter beforehand
By sending your resume and a cover letter to the company and asking if there are any open positions that match your job requirements, you can increase the likelihood that your contact will acknowledge receiving your application. Additionally, you can use it as a conversation starter by informing the person who answers the phone at the outset that you are calling to follow up on your job inquiry.
4. Prepare an opening statement
When you call a business that wasn’t expecting you, you run the risk of speaking with someone who isn’t willing to listen to what you have to say. The best way to get their attention is to prepare an elevator pitch in advance that highlights your enthusiasm for the business and your ideas for how to make it run more smoothly. A succinct explanation of a purpose or concept that can be effectively communicated to the listener in a brief amount of time is known as an elevator pitch.
5. Introduce yourself
Who you are and why you are calling should be the first things you tell your contact. Ask them if they have a few minutes to talk first. If they do, you should begin by stating your full name, your professional title, and the fact that you are inquiring about openings at their company in a brief sentence.
6. Ask for a reschedule if theyre too busy
If you start a conversation but later decide that your contact is too busy to properly respond to it at this time, you can propose setting up another time to speak. By doing this, you will demonstrate respect for that person’s time and the second call won’t be a cold call since you already have an appointment.
7. Mention your mutual connection
After the introduction, you should mention if you found your contact through a mutual acquaintance. If the hiring manager has a positive opinion of the person who recommended you, mentioning how you know them may increase your chances of being invited for an interview.
8. Quickly describe your most relevant qualifications
After properly introducing yourself and your connection, you can discuss your qualifications for the positions you’re interested in applying for, including your skills, professional background, and other attributes. It’s crucial to explain how your knowledge and experience meet the demands of the organization and how they can be put to use for its advantage. Your credentials can be succinctly summarized in one sentence.
9. Be friendly and polite
The best way to come across well on the phone is typically to be approachable, formally express your interest in the company, and attempt to engage the hiring manager in conversation rather than a one-sided monologue.
10. Ask for an interview
You should directly state your intentions to your contact once they have a thorough understanding of who you are and what your qualifications are to avoid the possibility that they will assume you are just calling to gather information. You can either ask if you can schedule an interview time or find out more about the hiring procedure for the company.
11. Be prepared for objections
Be ready for the scenario where your contact objects to your suitability for the position due to your lack of experience or absence of necessary qualifications. Recognize any weaknesses you may have and get ready to respond to criticism
12. Ask for an informational interview if there are no jobs available
Ask the hiring manager if you can meet for an informational interview so that both of you can learn more about each other and how well-suited you would be for a future position with the company if they respond that there are no openings at that time. An informational interview can also help you learn about job opportunities in other departments and get the hiring manager to keep you in mind for future openings.
13. Thank your contact for their time
No matter how the conversation went, you should always thank the other person for their time. Even if there aren’t any open positions right now, leaving a positive impression by hanging up the phone could be beneficial in the future.
When to call about a job
You can reach out to potential employers about available positions by calling them. This is typically done if you are unable to locate any open positions in your field using more conventional search techniques like job boards, social media, and networking Cold calling is the practice of making phone calls to people or businesses that haven’t previously expressed interest in hiring you. You can make a cold call to any company you’d like to work for and inquire if any relevant positions are available.
When you want to follow up on an application you previously submitted, you can also call the business.
Examples for different parts of the calling process
Elevator pitch
“Good afternoon. My name is Damien Williams, and I have been a big-brand real estate agent for five years. I’m calling to ask about a job in your sales department because I believe my qualifications and experience would be a good fit for your business. May I please speak to the sales manager?”.
Introduction
“Hello Mr. My name is Michael Gilmour, I am a certified software engineer, and I am calling to ask about any open positions in your software development department. Rodriguez, do you have a few minutes to talk? “.
Description of your skills and experience
I have over six years of childcare experience, a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, and I’m very patient and good with kids. I believe I’m a good fit for the position of kindergarten teacher at your school given my training and experience in childcare, both in formal settings and private homes. “.
Asking for an interview
“I am calling to schedule an interview with you because I am very interested in your company and the way you conduct business. During the interview, we can fully discuss whether or not I would be a good fit for your company.” “.
Overcoming objections
“You brought up my relative inexperience, and I understand what you’re saying. However, I have the necessary skills for the position, and since I lack experience, you could use that to your advantage by training me in accordance with the organization’s policies and procedures. “.
Asking for an informational interview
Although I am aware that there aren’t any open positions at the moment, I would like to schedule an informational interview with you so you can learn more about my qualifications and experience because I might be a good fit for a position that becomes available in the future. “.
Mastering the cold calls for job leads (4 tips)
FAQ
How do you politely ask for a job opportunity?
I’m writing to let you know that I’m looking for a new job opportunity in [desired industry] and I hope things have been great. I’m ideally looking for a [type of position] role with an employer who [describe ideal employer] given my background in [area].
How do you inquire about a job on the phone?
Introduce yourself and state why you are calling. Give the job title and specify that you are responding to an ad in the newspaper or online. Ask if you can schedule an interview. Be ready to answer questions because employers frequently use these calls to screen applicants.
