Calls to companies – what to say

…fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day…and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.  (Esther)

Calls to companies – what to say

Calling a company when there is no job advertised is the scarier than visiting an undertaker to get measured for your coffin.  Get over it.

If you really really want to work for that company, you need to call.  You also need to be qualified.  Now, be positive, and be honest: Would you hire yourself for the job you want? Really?  Okay, then.  They might really hire you.

First write down the jobs you really want in that company.  Who would be your boss’s boss?  Not your direct supervisor, who is HIS boss.  Write it down. His title is sufficient. He’s the key to success.

Who do you know who knows that person, that Mr. Big?  Do you know anyone in the company?  Start by asking for their help to contact Mr. Big.  If someone you know can recommend you or get your resume directly to Mr. Big, you’ve got it made.  Give them your resume. Then call after Mr. Big should have it, and introduce yourself. There is a script for that call below.

If you don’t know anyone in the company, call the receptionist and get Mr. Big’s name and extension, or at least the department secretary.  Call Mr. Big AFTER you have written down some notes about how:

1. You have saved a lot of money.
2. You speeded up processes to save time.
3. You saved customers or brought in new ones.

Not notes about your responsibilities, but notes about what you actually accomplished.  What got done because of your unique push.  What did YOU excel at?

Here is the easiest set of scripts.

When you give Mr. Big a call, you have a 1 in 10 chance of talking to him.  If you get voice mail, the first time leave a message asking him to call you. Don’t say what it is about.  Just say, “Please call me.”

Two days later leave a voice mail telling him briefly about 1, 2 and 3 above, ask for his help in getting a job, and leave your phone number.

Do the same thing 3 days after that.  If you still have no response, then call the person who would be your direct boss, Mr. Manager, in the same 3 day attempt.

Finally, after this 2 week attempt, call HR (Human Resources).

If you are asked to call someone else, do so.  Tell them Mr. Big told you to call.  But, before Mr. Big hangs up ask him, “What are your plans for the next few months for hiring a (my job)?”  Also send a resume to Mr. Big and the person he told you to call.  Mail or email works.  Ask the company receptionist for his address.

Now, put a reminder on your calendar and call Mr. Big, other person, and HR again in 3 months.  Leave one message reminding them you talked before.  Tell them you talked to the other person like they suggested and are just calling to follow up and see if their strategic plans have changed and they will need your help in the next few months.  Then send a note thanking them for their time.  The follow up note is as important as the call.  It gives them something to file away to contact you later.  Make this single call to each of the 3 people you contacted at the company every 3 months. You are establishing yourself as a candidate who needs to be called.