It is a well known and stated fact that first impressions are everything. Once a first impression is made it's almost impossible to shake off. The same can be said of your telephone voice during phone interviews and phone interview screening sessions. How you present yourself during that initial portion of the phone interview, and throughout the remainder of it may well determine if you get or offered that job, promotion or career upgrade.
You should use the telephone in a persuasive sense. After all it's only a communication tool. You are what you are and you are not what you are not. Telephone communication skills can be developed as with any other skill - be it an employment related or general skill set. To make persuasive job search telephone skills requires preparation and practice.
First and foremost your voice is your personality over the telephone- it makes an immediate impression that will portray you as friendly, confident, distant or timid, relaxed or nervous. What can you do to improve your first impressions over the line?
First of all the first step is remarkably easy. Smile when you speak on the phone. The muscles used to smile actually relax the vocal cords and create a pleasant tone of voice. Next do not talk on the phone with gum or food in your mouth. Did your mother ever tell you "Don't talk with your mouth full"? Do not even drink even soft drinks on the food - let alone consuming alcoholic beverages before those important phone calls. You would be surprised at how the telephone technology seems to amplify the sound of eating and drinking over the telephone lines.
Another very important point of telephone courtesy and consideration (that is if you want to get that job), is to ask the person if this is a good time to call- especially if it is going to be a lengthy call. Even if you are just putting your foot in an otherwise difficult to enter door, you must appreciate that even if the person gives you the brush-off, as if you were an Amway salesperson, then in essence that person is doing you a favor saving you time and effort. Your efforts and chances in that case would have been less than nil anyways. Any work that you might have done wouldn't have led to zero results. It might have been counterproductive. You never know down the line that is in a position to either help or hinder you and sink your ship. Why create bad impressions of yourself unnecessarily?
Preparation is everything. Before you make that call know what you are going to say. Practice makes perfect. Sure you might think that by going into battle so to speak by the seat of your pants and throwing yourself to the wolves getting practice in the process that this is a poor use of your time and limited contacts. If your contacts are that important take the time to practice your presentation ahead of time. It is well worth the time and energy in successful results, less burned bridges, less frustration and more effective results on your part. Again practice makes more perfect.
On the other hand do not use a canned phone call or "script". Nothing sounds worst than a canned presentation read from a piece of paper or your computer screen, I am sure that you have received many telemarketers who as you answer your phone ask to speak to Mr. or Mrs... then stumble on your name and launch into their canned speech. It's being read and sounds as if it's being read. It's inconsiderate, rude and downright foolish. It shows lack of preparation and concern for the person that you are calling for that employment.
If you have followed the steps, procedures and techniques outlined in this article on creating a good first impression on the telephone and in telephone interviews you should and will not have to resort to such tactics as the "canned " presentation that you will read out loud. You will appear natural, prepared, intelligent, genuine and friendly. Why wouldn't any employer offer you the job and hire you for their team.
No comments:
Post a Comment