Would you send a letter to someone you liked to ask them out on a date? Probably not. So why then would you just mail your résumé and cover letter to a workplace and expect them to offer you a job? Sometimes in life you need to be brave and pick up the phone. It's the same when you're looking for work.
Setting yourself apart
Where possible it's best to deliver your résumé in person, this way you can get a feel for the workplace and the people who work there and also give them the chance to meet you. If you can, try to hand in your résumé to the manager or employer directly rather than to a secretary or receptionist. They are more likely to remember you if they have seen you face-to-face.
The next best thing is to phone the organisation where you would like to work and ask to speak with the person in charge of hiring. This way you can ask some questions about the job and also find out the name of the person who you should mail your résumé to. It’s more likely to be read if it’s sent straight to the person who is managing recruitment.
Staying on track
It's also a good idea to call the organisation about a week after they have received your résumé. This way you can ask if they have had a chance to read it and show your interest in the job. This brings you to the front of the employer's mind - to the top of the résumé pile.
You should keep notes of what was said in all your phone calls throughout the job application process. If the employer calls you or you call the employer make sure you have a pen and paper handy. This saves time because you don't have to go over things you've already discussed and also makes you look good because you're organised.
Tips and tricks
- If you call the switchboard and are transferred through to the person you want to speak with, ask for the direct number of the person you talk to about the job so you can get straight through to them next time you call.
- If you are expecting a call from a potential employer always answer the phone politely: a 'hi, this is…' will make a much better first impression than 'yeah, what?'.
- If you’re feeling nervous about making a call, write yourself a short script to follow once you pick up the phone. e.g. 'hi, my name is ………I'd like to speak to………… I'm calling to follow up on an email I sent last week.'
