Magic Phone call

A lot of times people mention to me that they had all the right skills and experience for the role but they never got the call. That’s right, the magic phone call from HR or recruiter or line manager who asks them to come in for an interview after they apply for it. They complain they liked the role, thought they were perfect or would have liked it, got it,  but somehow never did get an interview call.

I think firstly, the days of when people emailed their resume across and awaited for a call back have long gone. The people who get the role are the ones who take the initiative and make that call themselves to check the status.  Job seekers need to realise that currently they are operating in a candidate surplus and slow market. Chances are for every ideal good job listed, there maybe 3 or 4 good candidates out there in most major capital cities unless the role has very rare skills-set.  Waiting for a feedback or interview after submitting your application is like a guessing game leaving things to chance. Better chances hitting the dart board. Do you really want to allow things to go to chance or other candidates to call, set the benchmark for the role and get interviewed for the role? No; well then I would suggest you make the follow up phone.

It’s important to establish the objective behind the call before you make call. Think mentally why you are making that call what do you want to achieve in this call? Make it nice, crisp polite and try to be to the point. You want to get attention of the other person in a span of a minutes and make them think this person seems a good fit for the role from what they are telling me. For example if your objective is to confirm if your resume has been received and try and get an interview. A call can go along the following lines

Hi

I was after ----------- to the receptionist. 

is this -------------?This is --------calling re the role for -----.  Can I have 2 minutes of your time?

I just called to check if you did you get my resume? My I sent in my information  on --------------via----------

If they are busy, say Thanks and will call later and call back again...you call back again. I don’t believe in leaving voice messages unless you have tried for 2 days and not got a chance.

Call back complete the steps above and then say something along the lines

My resume will show to you why I applied for this role. I have the skills and experience that you are seeking for in that role.  I am an APR/C and have the Trade License/Degree/MYOB /---------- experience of years that you are seeking.

Wait for response/questions—The assessor on the other end of the line is going through your details, seeking/reading  your resume, then after they have asked or said something, once you get the cue that they have got your information in front of them and they ask something from it or you then say

In the recent past I have worked in a somewhat similar role to what I think you are describing? Mention company names and role titles and tell only a little bit about the role you are/were doing.

WAIT for response then ask

Can I please get some more details of the role like approximate location area, timings etc? What timeframes are we looking at? Set yourself as a strong potential  interview material candidate for the role

Never ask them feedback if they want to meet but your intention to get them to ask if you can meet them? In fact say to them I am considering some other options and was interested to know more. Always indicate you have other options you become more valuable or employable, that makes you precious with an expiry tag line like and they need to act soon and act now.

Thanks for your time.

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