TELEPHONE SCRIPTS
NOTE: More phone scripts are available on the CD-ROM and Web versions.
In each of the scripts provided, there are codes used to designate who is speaking. They are as follows:
YOU = you
GK = A secretary or other gatekeeper who is preventing you from accessing the "boss".
BOSS = You guess who this is
NAME = To prevent boredom, sometimes we use a name for a person, usually Mr. Jones or Ms. Jones
HR or HA = Human Resources (HR), sometimes known as a Hiring Authority (HA).
NC: = Networking Contact
Sometimes I use Mr. Jones and sometimes Ms. Jones. If you are counting how many times one is used over the other, then you are not focusing on the right things in your job search. If you find that these scripts work better for you when written another way, by all means do so. When you find ones that do work for your or in certain situation, send them to me and I will acknowledge you in the next book.
NOTES: I WILL PROVIDE YOU NOTES AND THOUGHTS ON SOME OF THE SCRIPTS AT THE BOTTOM OF EACH. READ THESE CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU ATTEMPT TO USE THE SCRIPT. ALSO, PLEASE, PLEASE PRACTICE WITH SOMEONE (PREFERABLY YOUR SEARCH PARTNER) BEFORE YOU GET ON THE TELEPHONE!
- BYPASSING THE GATEKEEPERS OF THE WORLD…
GK: Mr. Smith’s office, Jane Doe speaking.
YOU: Hello Jane, my name is YOU. Is Mr. Jones in please?
GK: Mr. Jones is (IN A MEETING, OUT OF THE OFFICE, VERY BUSY, NOT TAKING CALLS RIGHT NOW, AND HUNDRED OTHER STATEMENTS). May I ask (HOPEFULLY THEY WILL BE THIS NICE) the purpose of your call?
YOU: Yes, of course. I told Mr. Jones that I would call him this week. Is he available now?
A note to you here: if you’ve followed my advice in the book, you will have already called someone else in the organization and received a referral to Mr. Jones so that you can use the referring source’s name and she will let you through more easily.
GK: Mr. Jones didn’t mention you were expected to call. What company are you with?
YOU: I am YOU with (YOURSELF, YOUR CURRENT COMPANY OR WHATEVER YOU WANT TO USE HERE) _______________. I had assumed that he had received my letter. If he isn’t available right now, when would be a better time to call him back?
GK: Give me your number and I’ll pass it on to Mr. Jones.
YOU: Thanks Jane. My number is ___________________. Occasionally, I am away from my phone so if you don’t mind, I will just call him back (TOMORROW, FRIDAY, NEXT MONDAY, ETC.).
NOTES:
- Always be friendly.
- Always use the person’s name a lot in the conversation.
- AVOID any conversation or mention that you are looking for a job!
- If the gatekeeper acknowledges receipt of your letter and has been instructed by BOSS to send you to HR be sure and tell her that you appreciate her efforts on your behalf. NOW, GET THE HR DIRECTOR’S NAME OR DEPT. HEAD NAME WHERE YOUR RESUME HAS BEEN SENT!
- When you call the person in #4 above, be sure and mention Mr. Jones or the referring source and say: MR. JONES’ OFFICE SAID I SHOULD CONTACT YOU.
Prologue
