Not many people can imagine a world without telephones. They have become a fundamental part of our lives. Telephone communications have advanced to a degree of sophistication few people could have ever imagined; telemarketing, voice mail, conference calling, e-mail, and FAX have all added to this revolution.
The telephone is a critical tool in a successful job search campaign. It is almost guaranteed that you will talk to a potential employer on the telephone at some point in the hiring process. Shrewd job seekers use advanced telephone marketing techniques in their job search. They use the telephone to make direct employer contact and to open the doors of opportunity. The telephone is a powerful tool in presenting your qualifications to an employer. Effective telephone techniques are critical skills all job seekers need.
Good telephone communication requires skills - skills that can be learned. Just because someone talks on the telephone a lot does not mean they are effective communicators. In fact, many people who use the telephone frequently have mastered some very offensive habits. It is never too early or too late to learn good telephone communications. Telephone skills are marketable job skills many employers value. In a comprehensive job search you will be using the telephone to conduct research, cold call employers, make networking contacts, schedule meetings, and to interview. Using the telephone is efficient; it's an effective use of your time and resources. The telephone can get you behind closed doors; it will help you contact hard to reach people.
Scripting
Preparation is critical to good telephone communication. It is not wise to call someone and just start talking. This may work for family and friends, but it will kill a job search. Telephone communications in a job search campaign are business calls, not personal calls. Actually, they are sales calls. Some people have a hard time with the idea of telephone sales. None of us likes a pushy telemarketer. But many of the same concepts and strategies that go into telephone sales go into your job search campaign. A business or sales caller has about 20 seconds to capture the hearer's attention. Therefore, communication has to be to the point and concise. There is no time to wander. Scripting is the answer.
Scripting is simply planning what you are going to say before you say it. Most people script important conversations; they just don't realize that is what they are doing. Have you ever made an important call and found yourself hesitating to dial the last number? Or hanging up before you are finished dialing? You were probably scripting in your mind what you were going to say. You may want to take it a step further and write down what you plan to say. This is exactly what skilled telemarketers do; they have a script that they follow.
-
1
- 2
Reprinted with the permission of the Idaho Department of Labor.
Add your own comment
Ask a Question
Have questions about this article or topic? AskRelated Questions
See More QuestionsToday on Education.com
Celebrate Memorial Day! Worksheets and Activities About American History WORKBOOKS
May Workbooks are Here!
WE'VE GOT A GREAT ROUND-UP OF ACTIVITIES PERFECT FOR LONG WEEKENDS, STAYCATIONS, VACATIONS ... OR JUST SOME GOOD OLD-FASHIONED FUN!
Get Outside! 10 Playful Activities
Popular Articles
- Kindergarten Sight Words List
- The Five Warning Signs of Asperger's Syndrome
- What Makes a School Effective?
- Child Development Theories
- Why is Play Important? Social and Emotional Development, Physical Development, Creative Development
- 10 Fun Activities for Children with Autism
- Test Problems: Seven Reasons Why Standardized Tests Are Not Working
- Bullying in Schools
- A Teacher's Guide to Differentiating Instruction
- Steps in the IEP Process
