Hello Everyone!
This time, we're going to take a look at how to use that most basic of tools, the telephone.
Seems like these days, we use them to send text messages, as calendars, as cameras, as music players, as social media portals, and seldom for talking to people, which was their intended use.
Hello Everyone!
This time, we’re going to take a look at how to use that most basic of tools, the telephone.
Seems like these days, we use them to send text messages, as calendars, as cameras, as music players, as social media portals, and seldom for talking to people, which was their intended use.
Folks of a certain age disdain the phone so much, they get angry when you call them, like it is an intrusion. I am here to tell you, if you dislike talking on the phone, get over it. Serious people conduct serious business over the phone all the time, and if you don’t have basic phone skills, nobody will take you seriously.
In my time as a coach and recruiter, I have seen a serious deterioration in phone skills over the years, so here are Coach Tom’s rules for using the phone:
1) Be polite. You might think this is a no-brainer, but you would be surprised. Smile while you talk, think happy thoughts, whatever it takes to be positive. Nobody likes a grump, and people hire people they like.
2) Use your name. When people call you, the message they get on your voicemail greeting should start with, “ Hi, you’ve reached “Joe Smith”. People need to know they have found the right person. Also, when you leave a message, CLEARLY AND SLOWLY state your name, and if a live person picks up, identify yourself, don’t make people guess.
3) Leave clear messages. Again, don’t make people guess who you are and why you are calling. And for goodness sakes, don’t just leave a message with your name and number asking someone to call you back. Tell them what you want so they can respond with information. Making people guess what you want isn’t nice.
4) Bonus tip – use it to get interviews. This is very useful when searching for jobs. Call people who can help you or hire you, and introduce yourself. Ask them if they have a second to discuss what they have going on, and if your background might be pertinent.
5) Check your voicemail, and return your calls. Again, should be a no-brainer, but you’d be shocked. Opportunity knocks (or calls) but only once. Don’t blow a chance to land an opportunity because you are too lazy to keep up.
So there you have them. Coach Tom’s rules for phone usage. I may be old school, but there is a definite place for the phone in the modern job search, and those who use one well have a distinct advantage.
Until next time, I wish you all the best.
Coach Tom
—
Thomas Patrick Chuna is a certified Five O’Clock Club job search coach, teaching their proven methodology to private clients in all fields and disciplines. – I will teach you to apply the methodology to YOUR specific situation. Find me at linkedin.com/in/patrickinternational
Want FREE access to helpful job search tools? – Check out the Five O’clock Club ad on the Bio Careers “Career Tools” page.
The Five O’Clock Club is a nationally recognized outplacement firm with a proven job search methodology that helps job seekers get better jobs faster.
Learn more: http://www.fiveoclockclub.com
