| I often ask job seekers when the interview starts. | | | | on the recipient's caller ID. Frequently, our staff |
| Many of the answers vary and some students say | | | | received inbound calls stating "someone at this number |
| the interview starts when the potential employer calls | | | | just tried to call me". Unfortunately, caller ID was |
| you on the phone. Others indicate it is when you walk | | | | ineffective in this situation. You want to make sure you |
| through the employer's front door. After contemplating | | | | don't miss the employers call and you receive a |
| this question, I believe the interview starts when you | | | | message from the employer. |
| prepare your resume. The resume is typically the first | | | | #4) Change the message on your answering machine |
| interaction you have with a potential employer. Let's | | | | if necessary. A recruiter is not likely to be impressed |
| assume the employer has reviewed you resume and | | | | by a long musical message, a funny story, or the voice |
| is ready to call you to discuss the opportunity. | | | | of a three year old giving a cute message. When you |
| Here are eight ways to prepare for the phone call you | | | | are conducting your job search, it is important to let the |
| have been waiting for: | | | | employer know they have reached the correct |
| #1) Make it easy for the employer to contact you. List | | | | person. Your name or phone number should be in your |
| an alternate phone number on your resume if | | | | message. |
| appropriate. One phone number may be sufficient; | | | | #5) Remind others in your home to answer the phone |
| however, in some instances an alternate phone | | | | professionally. If other members of your household |
| number may be needed. You may be planning on | | | | might be taking message for you, remind them you are |
| moving or changing your home or cell phone number. I | | | | expecting calls from potential employers. An easy |
| have reviewed many resumes and often only one | | | | response would be, "I'm sorry Tanya/Joe" isn't in right |
| phone number was listed and if that number was | | | | now, may I have him/her call you?" Also you will want |
| disconnected, the job seeker lost the opportunity for a | | | | those taking messages to get the name and phone |
| possible interview. | | | | number of the person who called. |
| #2) Consider Call Waiting Service. This tip will only | | | | #6) Answer the employer's call only when you are |
| apply if you list a phone number that rings busy when | | | | ready to be interviewed! In this article we have |
| you or your family is on the phone or using the internet. | | | | addressed ways to make sure you don't miss an |
| If an employer reaches a busy signal on their first | | | | important call from an employer. Has your phone ever |
| attempt, they will most likely try to reach you another | | | | rung at inopportune or inconvenient time? I am certain |
| day. If on the second day they get a busy signal, | | | | we can all answer "yes" to this question! My |
| unfortunately, you may not get another call from the | | | | recommendation is to allow the answering machine or |
| employer. If your phone does ring busy when you are | | | | voicemail option to take the message. I have a friend |
| on the internet, it is important list an alternate phone | | | | that went to great lengths to get an interview with a |
| number. The goal is to get an interview and you want | | | | large financial institution. One Friday afternoon, she was |
| to make sure you receive the employer's telephone | | | | taking a shower and the phone rang. My friend |
| call. | | | | incorrectly assumed it was a telemarketer and said |
| #3) Consider using an answering machine or voicemail | | | | very rudely "WHO IS IT?" Unfortunately, it was the |
| while you are conducting your job search. This tip will | | | | financial institution calling to screen her for an |
| only apply if the phone number(s) you are listing don't | | | | opportunity. The recruiter politely said "I'm sorry I have |
| already use an answering machine or voice mail. | | | | reached you at a bad time. I will call again". The |
| Through my work experience, I have observed | | | | recruiter never called again and my friend missed the |
| individuals that use Caller ID in place of an answering | | | | opportunity to interview with that bank. Whether you |
| machine or voicemail. My experience has shown that | | | | are driving, working, sleeping, or otherwise occupied, |
| Caller ID is not an effective answering machine or | | | | only take the call if you are ready to interview. |
| voicemail system. When I was worked in a job training | | | | If you make it easy for the employer to contact you |
| program, we had a staff of approximately twenty | | | | by implementing Steps One through Five, be sure to |
| people and if any of the staff made an outbound call, | | | | take the call only when you are ready to interview! |
| the same number was recorded for all twenty of us | | | | |