Forum - Ask the Hiring Manager
QUESTION:
I truly appreciate all of the great advice you have given to job-hunters like myself. I am currently seeking work in the non-profit/advocacy sector in New York City, and have been contacting various organizations in the city. I am faced with a huge problem, however: My telephone skills are atrocious! All it takes is a receptionist who is less than friendly to me to get me completely nervous. I soon develop a very shaky voice, and sound less than confident. I feel that I present myself much better in person- yet that initial phone call is extremely important. Do you have any advice on how to calm nerves before making an important phone call to a potential employer? I need a plan...
Thanks!
From:
Elena Tuskenis, Recent Graduate, Harvard University Grad School of Education
ANSWER FROM BRIAN KRUEGER:
Hi Elena -
I understand your problem. I sit on the other side of that phone call. Some people never get past my secretary (she's not the "Frauline Frieda, Guardian of the Gate" character from my book, but she is effective in screening my calls to only let through the ones that are important). And those that do are often nervous and have difficulty articulating what they are seeking.
I spent an entire chapter in my book covering this very subject of getting through to the hiring manager. Since most people end up tongue-tied on the phone (you're not alone), I included 10 different scripts to follow. They don't all work every time, but when you have enough ammo, you will get through more often and feel more confident.
While I cannot go into the detail of the scripts here in this response, I will give you two important points to follow:
- Always follow a two-step contact process. One call to identify the name (and the title, if possible) of the target contact. The next call to attempt to reach them. If you try to do both in the same call you will almost always get screened out.
- If you cannot get through to the hiring manager or they are continually out, ask to be put through to voicemail. Almost all managers listen to their own voicemail. Then simply leave your name, phone number, and the best time to reach you. Nothing more. For all they know, you could be a customer, etc.
Also, regarding being nervous, I highly recommend my "Rowboat Technique" for controlling your nervousness. Simply contract your abdominal muscles in a downward motion, starting from just below the rib cage. It's the same time of muscle contraction you would go through in a hard rowing motion. This contraction of the muscles releases calming chemicals into your system. It helps me control my nervousness in speaking before crowds of hundreds, and it will help you in telephone interviews and in-person interviews for controlling your nervousness.
I have also included an entirely new chapter devoted exclusively to telephone interviews in the new edition of my book, available online here at our site.
Happy hunting!
Author of College Grad Job Hunter
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All job search information at this forum is provided by Brian Krueger, author of the book College Grad Job Hunter, the definitive guide for college grad job search. Used by permission of the author.
