Advice to the job seeker: what to say when calling about work - how not to spoil everything

Good afternoon, dear applicant! I offer my knowledge on the topic "Calling about work - how not to spoil everything, how to properly build communication with a recruiter and answer questions over the phone."
Of course, this is an important and mandatory step when looking for a job. I advise you to make a call according to two schemes:

• a job call can be made before sending a resume to clarify questions
• a call about a job can be made some time after sending a resume.

My top tip- to call on vacancy - it is necessary!

To call the employer - you need to prepare. And this is a fact if you are potentially interested in a vacancy. An active applicant always has an advantage over a passive one.

Be sure to read the vacancy announcement before calling - which company offers the vacancy, the company profile can be viewed on the Internet, read the conditions (schedule, salary, registration).

If the vacancy is not presented by a direct employer, then in no case do not refuse the vacancy, as very often large employers turn to recruitment agencies for help in recruiting. Now is the time of technology and many facilitators conduct initial interviews via Skype, so you do not have to go to the facilitator's office.

Prepare a list of questions(a few - a few basic).

I believe that it is more expedient to call after sending the resume, but if you need to clarify some points, call before sending.

When you call - address by name or first name-patronymic - as indicated in the column of the contact person. Personalized appeal shows respect for the interlocutor. Introduce yourself. Check if the vacancy is relevant - be sure to say the name of the vacancy, because the employer can place several ads at the same time. Be sure to specify - could a specialist give you a few minutes to talk about this vacancy. Based on the response of the specialist, continue the conversation or specify when it will be possible to call back to chat.

If you call before submitting your resume, your goal will be to ask clarifying questions in order to determine if you are interested in this vacancy and the conditions for it.

If the resume is sent, then the purpose of your call will be the interest of the employer, the desire to get acquainted with your resume and invite you to a meeting. You will have some time to show the recruiter that you are the right candidate with the right experience, knowledge and skills. Speak briefly, clearly and to the point, taking into account the requirements that are spelled out in the vacancy (you carefully went through them!).

A phone call is a very convenient way to communicate, because. You (the applicant) are on your territory and have the opportunity to prepare for communication, so choose a convenient time and place for communication (no music or screams of children, animals, etc.). Be prepared for the recruitment specialist to seize the initiative and also ask you a few questions - treat this with respect, as only the recruiter knows all the requirements and criteria by which a specialist is being sought. Do not allow answers such as "does it matter", "everything is written in the resume, read it", etc. If you get confused, "mumble", raise your voice, chew or smoke, walk down the street or be in another noisy place, the TV will work in the background, or your spouse will prompt you with answers to questions (this is perfectly audible on the phone) - Your chances will be reduced to zero.

Here are some more tips:

I sincerely wish you success in your search for an interesting job!

It turns out that the game of "seller-buyer" with the employer does not begin during the interview, but even at the first words of your telephone conversation. So, how to “sell” your experience, knowledge and skills at a higher price?

Is there anyone who, throwing a whole
day dart, will not hit the target one day?
Cicero Mark Tullius

We learn a lot about how to talk to an employer, how to present yourself, how to answer questions. And less often we talk about what, in fact, we sell ourselves, our experience or our desire to work. And we can not just find a job, but find a job at a higher price, that is, it is profitable to sell ourselves.

We have to sell ourselves every day, including at the interview. The employer looks at us like a "pig in a poke". And the primary task of the applicant is to show the employer, in the language of sales, the “benefits” that he acquires with the candidate.

In this article, I invite you to consider a call to an employer as a stage in finding your client, that is, a “cold call”. How many calls do you make looking for your employer? On average - from two to five a day, for two to three days a week. According to the law of the sales world, in order to get a client, you need to make as many meetings as possible, which require as many calls as possible to set up.

In this connection, a new decisive factor appears - we call not only those who post vacancies, but also all organizations that are of interest to us. Summarizing the above, I emphasize: in order to as soon as possible get the desired result ( a good place and good money) you need to gain momentum and call, call, call!

In order to afford to make more calls and effectively conduct phone conversation, "salespeople" have specific scripts (scripts) of a conversation, the purpose of which is to arrange a meeting with a person who is on the other end of the wire. And for this, most often they offer three steps in building a telephone conversation:

1. Say hello. Ask permission to speak. Grab attention

You need to start a cold call with a phrase that will attract attention and help start a conversation. Suppose you are calling a potential employer. His answer depends on what you say. And the more competently you start a conversation, the more likely a favorable answer!

Ask a stupid question and get a stupid answer. But if you ask a smart question or start with a reasonable statement, and the answer will be quite reasonable.

- Do you have any vacancies? - this question can be answered "no", and the conversation will be completed.

- You have a job? - similarly.

Or like this: “Are you interested in qualified, experienced employees?” - to this question you can only get the answer "yes" and the smile of the interlocutor.

2. Explain the reason for the call

The second important step is to justify your call. When you call a person intending to set up an appointment with the employer, say something like this: "I'm calling you to set up an appointment." Otherwise, nothing will happen, you simply will not give the employer the opportunity to agree to your proposal. You must give the right signal, communicate what you need from him.

You can improve this item. Instead of just "I'm calling to set up an appointment," you can say something more enticing, such as "I'm calling to set up an appointment with you, during which I could tell you about my proposal for cooperation with your company, which I think you'll be interested in."

Now your interlocutor is clear. You're not calling to introduce yourself or ask for a job. And not to get permission to call again. Not to ask the employer some questions. You call to appoint business meeting. And you have a specific goal.

3. Make an appointment

It is better to do this through the phrase: “Okay, Maria Ivanovna, then we need to meet. Will Tuesday at three o’clock suit you?”

The phrase must be direct, short and specific. Do not try to change anything in it!

So, as a result, we get an approximate conversation scenario. Try.

Exactly the first conversation with a future employer usually takes place over the phone about the job you are interested in. On the one hand, this is the fastest way to get information, and besides, you don’t have to worry about your hair and wardrobe. You can ask all the questions that are important to you and draw conclusions thanks to the answers to them.

They called - they didn't like it - they forgot. On the other hand, we do not see with whom we communicate, the atmosphere of the workplace, the behavior of the employer, his eyes, gestures, etc. After all, it is not in vain that they say - it is better to see once than to hear 100 times. The first impression is very important, both for you and for a potential boss, and it is difficult to present yourself in the most favorable light over the phone.

But in order to achieve an invitation directly to the office, something is still possible. So, in the first 15-20 seconds of a conversation, an approximate image of the interlocutor, his ability to communicate, temperament already arises by voice, intonation, words. That's why gotta start right. Do not rush to immediately lay out all your questions, especially about salary.

Start with a hello, conduct a conversation as if you personally went into the office. Be sure to introduce yourself. Explain the reason for your call and let us know who you would like to talk to about this matter. Tell me what position you are applying for. Arrange an interview (agree on the date and time), and also specify the names and surnames of those people whom you will then have to contact. Be sure to thank the interlocutor for the attention and say goodbye.

remember, that the conversation should be short and meaningful, during communication, do not be distracted by extraneous topics. It is better to prepare in advance an approximate text of your appeal, questions that may arise, important information. It is advisable to write it all down and not let go of the pen during the conversation - you may have to write down the interlocutor's answers, contact phone number, address, email. By the way, many people neglect this advice, relying on their memory, and as a result, they forget important things.

Your tone of voice should not be overly formal. Sometimes, hiding excitement, with an important phone call, our voice, imperceptibly for ourselves, becomes dry and tense. This should not be allowed, because a person who speaks in this way rarely causes sympathy. It is also not recommended to speak with a subordinate intonation, ingratiatingly, uncertainly. As you can see, these are two extremes, so you need to choose an average tone for yourself. Before the conversation, recharge yourself with positive energy, for this, do something pleasant - play with your pet or listen to good music, get distracted, and then make a call.

What to do if there is an answering machine on the other end of the wire? Don't get lost and don't hang up. Be sure to leave your message. For example, say that you would like to clarify whether the employer has received your resume, find out more detailed information about the vacancy. Don't forget to introduce yourself and leave your phone number. And do not wait for an answer, an answering machine is not the best interlocutor.

Don't wait for an employer. Take the initiative in your own hands. But first, learn when to say what and what to keep silent about.

The first conversation with the employer can easily be the last. Rabota.ru was six general rules how to get started with a recruiter. Plus examples of what to say in two typical situations: during the first call and at the reception.

6 common commandments

1. Appreciate the time of the interlocutor. Speak clearly and specifically. Optimal talk time: 4-5 minutes.

2. Take your time, do not swallow words and phrases. The manner of speech is the main thing that allows you to form an opinion about you on the phone.

3. Don't ask about salary. Many staffing agencies and direct employers do not like this. We understand that the issue of money is very important, but accept the rules of the game.

4. Do not immediately say that you are an excellent specialist - this is a bad form.

5. Do not ask the employer if there is a chance that you will be accepted for this job.

6. If during the conversation you are invited for an interview, ask where and at what time you need to drive up. Find out what documents to bring with you.

You call your employer. What should I say?

You have been sent to the job you are interested in. Attached to it. Be sure to call within an hour after sending to find out if it was received, all personnel officers advise without exception. After all, a letter can get lost, arrive in the wrong encoding, or simply be overlooked (personnel officers are people too).

The first thing you do is say hello and introduce yourself: “Hello. My name is Alexander Petrov. Are you comfortable talking now?

Then tell us what vacancy you are calling about: "I'm calling about a service engineer vacancy posted on the Rabota.ru website."

Say you sent your resume. State the departure date and your address. For example, like this: “Yesterday I sent you a resume by mail. My address [email protected] Have you received my resume? It came without a hitch, is it readable?

If everything is fine, ask when it will be possible to find out the verdict: “Tell me, please, when is the best time to call to find out the result of the review of the resume?”

Most likely, you will be asked to call back within a week. Be prepared for the fact that the recruiter will say unfriendly: “I got everything. I'll call you myself if the resume interests me. In this case, many applicants give up and no longer dare to call. But if the vacancy is very attractive to you, take courage and call back at the appointed time to clarify the result.

You are going to the employer. What should I say?

The first contact with the employer can be established not only by phone, but also directly in person. It happens that the announcement indicates the possibility of a meeting without first sending a resume by mail. This usually applies to vacancies for entry-level employees.

You go to the office of the company. Take your resume with you. You report at the entrance that you read the job ad and came for an interview. “Hello, my name is Alexander Petrov. I came in for an interview for a service engineer position. Who can I talk to about this?" Most likely you will be taken to a recruiter who will interview you.

Have you been denied? There's still a chance

The employer and his motives are always a mystery. Unfortunately, you may be refused, even if the resume is impeccable and the conversation on the phone is built according to all the rules. First, never lose heart and don't take rejection as a personal insult. In the country .

Second, remember that the answer "no" can be used as a reason to continue the conversation. If you really need this particular job, ask why you were refused: “I have relevant experience, I really want to work in your company. Please tell me why my candidacy did not fit? Suddenly the employer will be disposed to the conversation. For example, he might say, “It seems from your resume that you changed jobs too often. It's disturbing." What to say in such cases, find out in the instructions "" (they ask similar questions by phone). If you quickly find your bearings and unobtrusively give a decent answer, there is a chance that you will still be invited for an interview.

Illustration. How not to speak

Assisted in the preparation of the material: Development Director recruitment agency Dmitry Bykadorov; head of the recruitment department of the recruitment agency "" Alla Klimova.

Ekaterina Kozhevatova

Done - THEY called!! So, they noticed your resume, singled it out among others, and now they are eager to see you! In the meantime, you need to arrange a cherished meeting by phone ...

It is common knowledge that first impressions are extremely important and all that... But does this rule work when communicating on the phone? After all, we have no idea with whom we are talking, and we cannot be seen ...

Talk to the invisible, knowing that the future may depend on the conversation?! Most of this situation is much more frightening than a personal visit. The reasons for unmotivated, at first glance, fear are understandable. We are deprived of many opportunities for the "presentation" of our own person: we cannot demonstrate a lively manner of communication, look into the interlocutor's eyes, show a business card, in the end. But not from telephone connection you won’t get away: the first two-way contact with a potential employer, as a rule, takes place over the phone.

And after putting the tube on the lever, very suspicious persons are haunted by the thought: “What did they think of me? What if they don't like me?"

Let's say right away: suspiciousness is not a trait that helps to live. But really, is it possible to harm yourself or, conversely, help through five-minute telephone conversations with the staff?

Neither yes nor no. You can only create a certain preliminary basis, the ground for the interview. And whether it will become solid ground or swampy swamp - it already depends on you.

No false starts!

The first impression of a job seeker is formed before the voice finds its flesh-and-blood master, long before the Rubicon, called the interview. The image - temperament, character, strengths and weaknesses of the applicant - "materializes" in the mind of the employer during about the first 15 seconds of the conversation.

So the "basics" of the conversation are very important, but at the same time trivial. And how do you usually behave at the beginning, when you communicate with the personnel officer not “through the phone”, but in the real three-dimensional reality? Entering the office, you glance at the interlocutor, nod to him with a smile, shake hands, sit down ... The beginning is a mini-performance, exchange of glances, conversation at a reduced distance: gradually, from general phrases, and not right off the bat: “what and koKA.

In telephone communication, everything happens in a truncated version, but in principle, according to the same scheme: greeting - polite neutral phrases - transition to the point - an appointment to meet - farewell.

Did you get a call? When answering, smile!

More natural!

Barrier. Is the smile crooked? Are you uncomfortable for some reason? Observation is important not only in communicating with the employer on the phone, it is important for the entire process of "competition" and for life in general. Temporarily out of work, "vacant" workers often fall into two extremes (which is manifested in the voice). First: from the rich range of intonations of their own voice, applicants choose the most timid and ingratiating. And who will be imbued with respect for the petitioner? Moreover, in such a situation, not only the candidate will feel awkward, but minor plaintive notes also have a depressing effect on the employer. Therefore, he also tunes in not for the most favorable outcome of the interview ...

The diametrically opposite mistake is made no less often: the applicant is so unwilling to act as a petitioner that he deliberately makes his voice hard or cheeky, as if declaring: “I am a priceless treasure, you are incredibly lucky that I deigned to send my resume!”. Such a pseudo-protective reaction will completely spoil the impression in the very first seconds. The HR manager will have no choice but to meet you at the interview fully armed, aggressively puffing up, biasedly looking for shortcomings, imaginary and genuine.

Bounce! Both one and the other extremes are connected with a conviction deeply embedded in our minds: it is shameful to offer one's work. The paradox has a quite simple explanation: most of our compatriots grew up in an era of total employment, when only those who had sunk to the very bottom of society remained without work. Our compatriots have not yet formed normal attitude to job search as to an ordinary episode in the biography.

Then for business - form! Think, what are you ashamed of?! For example, draw a parallel: when someone is looking for housing, this indicates that he cares about how to improve his quality of life. And when a person is looking for a job, this testifies to the same thing: he has aspiration, strength, choice. Forward!

Erase the negative

Barrier… Was the previous dialogue held in a raised voice? We receive many incoming calls throughout the day. It is possible that just before the personnel officer called you, you just finished an impartial conversation - with your boss, wife, mother-in-law ... In a word, you had a fight. Well, of course, you experienced a whole range of sensations ... Or just someone in your environment did something wrong, and you are disappointed. Or maybe just tired or sick. Caution: all troubles - small and large - affect the tone for many minutes and even hours after the excess! Therefore, it is possible that your intonations in the current conversation will retain “remnants of the past” and will sound somewhat uncertain and depressed. And the voice, by the way, should be adequate - to reflect what is happening in this moment, not what happened an hour ago.

Bounce! If you always want to murmur like a crystal brook, “erase” the “records” of previous conversations from your memory: exorbitant harshness or resentment, a guilty tone or an angry roar. Don't focus on the negative! After a squabble, it’s generally better to immediately switch to something pleasant: eat a chocolate bar, pet a cat, chat with a friend ... Let off steam! This will bring your voice back to normal. The speech apparatus is a very sensitive mechanism, it perfectly responds to an ambulance psychological help his master. And if, while talking with an employer, you contemplate something pleasant (a photo of your baby, an aquarium or a poster with a popular actress), a piece of your positive will be transmitted to your interlocutor ...

Relax

Barrier... When you saw the number of a particularly important subscriber flashing on the display, did you immediately tense up? And the tone - after you! So excessive responsibility and special hopes placed on a call from a high-ranking person can do a disservice. We paid attention to the fact that at various meetings and performances we sometimes “sound” unnaturally and monotonously. Until we get carried away with content or communication?

Bounce! Breathe in and out and smile broadly. A smile (by the way, scientists have long proven this) can act on the principle feedback: even "stretched" makes the brain produce the hormone of happiness. Now boldly answer the challenge! You will sound as natural as when communicating with household members, and the interlocutor on the other end of the wire will not even have a shadow of a doubt that your voice and consciousness are clamped in the vise of fear.

Don't chatter

Barrier… Do you think that by setting an excessively fast pace of conversation, you will make it clear to the personnel officer that you can work just as quickly? Not at all business qualities are even less associated in the mind with the art of tongue twisters than with the ability to gobble up both cheeks. Slow down! The speed of perception does not help - it hurts.

Bounce! The best moment for the manifestation of efficiency is a clear and detailed answer to the question asked, without long pauses, stuttering and all sorts of “shorter” and “as if”. And in order to be asked less, do not increase the pace of speech, it is better to make distinct and appropriate pauses and correctly place logical stresses. These two techniques will help convey necessary information(including your merits) to the opponent making the decision.

Well, if you know for yourself a “sin” to quickly and aggressively issue verbal volleys, take this habit under control. Try not to fill your lungs with air before the mini-speech - then there will be no temptation to chatter.

Fizkultprivet

Barrier ... Long and stubbornly kept silent? Or just woke up? Most likely, your voice will sound muffled, if not hoarse. Before you get to work, the speech apparatus, like any other system or "option" of our body, needs a little warm-up.

Bounce! In order to “be heard” with trills louder, it would be nice to practice for five minutes in the morning. As a last resort, you can take a sip of hot tea or a sip (no more!) of red wine. So, the "apparatus" is ready - the timbre is restored. Only having found your true voice, you can appear as a stentorian interlocutor in every sense of the word, a person with a lot of virtues, which you must definitely tell in a personal meeting, thereby “cementing forever” the pleasant impression of telephone communication.

Draw conclusions optimistically

Barrier… Thinking ahead or “keeping in mind” possible failure, we thereby program the interview to fail. Do not feed evil fate with despondency! Be aware: manner, intonation, tonality are not the root cause of a possibly undeveloped relationship. Yet these factors can have an indirect impact on the outcome of "unemployment".

Bounce! After each conversation with the personnel officer, it is worth remembering not only the essence, but also the details of the conversation, and analyzing the mistakes. Believe me, this is a necessary experience that will be useful not only for “fraudulent” employers.