Before you ring:

• Have a reliable pen and blank piece of paper in front of you.
• Write employers name, address and phone number on this.
• Write that day’s date beside the entry.
• If calling about an advertised job vacancy have this in front of you. Remember to read it BEFORE you ring and work out any “hidden agendas” contained in it.
• Write down what you need to know from the employer in point form, otherwise you may forget to ask the most important point. This is easy enough to do.
• Be positive – imagine the employer wants to hear from you.
• Don’t discuss your disability on the phone. The appropriate place is face to face.

USING YOUR TELEPHONE SPIEL TO REQUEST AN INTERVIEW

1. Give your name:
Hello, my name is............

2. Ask for the name of the person in charge:
Could you tell me the name of the Personnel Manager

3. Ask to speak to the person:
Could I speak to...........please?

4. Greet the employer:
Hello,...............

5. Give your name:
My name is ...............

6. If you were referred by someone the employer knows,
say so at this point:
Mrs/M.........suggested I speak to you.

7. Say what you have to offer the company:
(ie: experience, skills, interests, and personal qualities etc)
I have .................

8. Ask to meet the employer:
I was hoping to arrange a time when I could meet with you and discuss opportunities in case something comes up in the near future.

9. If a person says there are no jobs now, ask once more to meet him/her to talk about future job openings:
I would like to come and talk to you about possible future job openings. Just in case something comes up.

10. Ask for other leads including name, address and phone numbers:
Would you know of any other companies hiring staff at the moment? Do you know a contact name there? Could you give me a telephone number, or address?

11. Ask for permission to use his/her name:
Thank you, that’s very helpful. Would it be all right to say that you suggested I speak to..........

12. Resume and call back:
I will send you a copy of my resume and I’ll give you a call back in a couple of weeks, just in case something has come up. Thanks very much.

SAMPLE TELEPHONE SCRIPT

Making a “cold” contact

The following script is an example of how a telephone conversation can be used to make a cold contact to:

1. find a job opening
2. get leads to other job openings
3. market your abilities and background

Notice that even if a job opening and interview isn’t available, the caller comes away from the conversation with something valuable – a lead for another possible job.

Job seeker calls prospective employer .....
“High Point Electronics”

“Hello, my name is Ilene Jacobs, I’d like to speak to the manager. What is his or name?”
“Its Susan Alexander. Hold on please.
“Hello, Susan Alexander. May I help you?”

“My name is Ilene Jacobs, and I have experience in sales and background in stereo and other electronic equipment. I’d like to come over and talk to you about any job opening you might have, now or in the future. Would you have any time today that would be convenient?”
“No, I’m sorry. It’s been rather slow and I have no openings. I don’t even think it would be worth your while to fill out an application.”

“Well. Would it be possible to come in and talk to you anyway? I’m really interested in selling equipment in a store that has the variety and inventory you have. I’ve been a customer of yours, so I know what you sell.”
“I really appreciate you being our customer, but frankly I don’t anticipate having any openings for a very long time.”

“I see, and I appreciate your not wanting to waste my time. Could you tell me of any other similar store that might be hiring, any suggestions where I might continue looking for a job?”
“Well, you might try the new place in the Parkside Mall. A friend of mine just opened a new store and might need somebody like you. It’s a bigger store. Let me see, it’s called Super Sound.”

“Thank you very much, Ms Alexander. Would you happen to have their telephone number? And who should I ask to talk to?”
“Hold on, I don’t have the number handy, but the person to talk to is Jim Bronson.”

“Thank you very much. You’ve been a great deal of help to me. You won’t mind if I mention your name when I talk to him, will you?”
“Sure, go ahead.”

“One last thing, Ms Alexander. I know you said you don’t expect to have any openings, but just in case, can I check with you again in about 3 weeks.”
“Sure. I don’t think we’ll have anything, but I suppose you never can tell.”