May I please speak to the PB sales department?

[blhowes]

Today, I'm trying a job-search method that for many, myself included, is not the most fun method, but some studies show it to be one of the best methods - cold calling on the phone. I dread picking up the phone, but...

I made a list this weekend of a dozen or so people/companies that I want to call. I wrote a little script, which I practiced a bit, to use during the initial conversation. I just got off the phone with the first contact. It went ok, and we both quickly realized there was no match.

When I got off the phone, it occurred to me that a good number of you are, or have been, salesman who have learned to use the phones to sell your products. What does and don'ts have you learned about using the phone in sales that you think might pertain to using the phone for a job search?

 

[Puritan Sailor]

Use alot of words like "dude" and "far out" and way cool" in every sentence! You'll have a really fun conversation then

 

[blhowes]

Originally posted by puritansailor
Use alot of words like "dude" and "far out" and way cool" in every sentence! You'll have a really fun conversation then

Dude, thanks for your far out advice, you're way cool...So dude, I'm far out and way cool, so do you want to hire me?

 

[Scott Bushey]

I suggest NOT using the phone for job searches. Do you have an updated resume?

 

[blhowes]

Originally posted by Scott Bushey
I suggest NOT using the phone for job searches.

My flesh says, "Amen! Now I can stop"...why not?

I guess the rationale was that its pro-active and helps you find the 'hidden job market' for jobs that haven't been listed yet.

Originally posted by Scott Bushey
Do you have an updated resume?

Yes.

Which job search methods do you prefer?

 

[Anton Bruckner]

Originally posted by blhowes

Originally posted by puritansailor
Use alot of words like "dude" and "far out" and way cool" in every sentence! You'll have a really fun conversation then

Dude, thanks for your far out advice, you're way cool...So dude, I'm far out and way cool, so do you want to hire me?

 

[Anton Bruckner]

Originally posted by blhowes


Which job search methods do you prefer?

have you tried temping to get your foot in the door? Temping is an excellent way of making contacts, making money, and being in the thick of things.

Other than that, I have a cousin in law that stayed home for 2 years and he began selling sneakers on ebay. He makes a pretty good living. He stays home with their 11 month old son, and simply clicks away. When his wife comes home from work, he then goes to school.

 

[Scott Bushey]

Originally posted by blhowes

Originally posted by Scott Bushey
I suggest NOT using the phone for job searches.

My flesh says, "Amen! Now I can stop"...why not?

I guess the rationale was that its pro-active and helps you find the 'hidden job market' for jobs that haven't been listed yet.

Originally posted by Scott Bushey
Do you have an updated resume?

Yes.

Which job search methods do you prefer?

Bob,
I say beef up your resume and send it out. Join MONSTER!

 

[blhowes]

Originally posted by Scott Bushey
Bob,
I say beef up your resume and send it out. Join MONSTER!

That's been my main approach so far. I have my resume on monster.com, dice.com, careerbuilder.com and a few others and have the agents set up to email me a list of jobs that fit certain search criteria. For a while, I was getting responses fast and furious and early on got one interview, but now activity has slowed down to almost a stand-still. I've got about 6 more weeks left on my severance pay, so I figured I should use multiple approaches in my search.

 

[blhowes]

Originally posted by Slippery
have you tried temping to get your foot in the door? Temping is an excellent way of making contacts, making money, and being in the thick of things.

Good idea. In my line of work, there are a lot of contract jobs that end when the contract is over, with little chance of being hired when the contract is over. There are others that are contract-to-perm, which turn into permanent positions after/if you've proved yourself. My preference is to either get a permanent job or a contract-to-perm job, and of course as time goes on and the 'well runs dry', I'll do whatever...

[setting up my lemonaide stand]

Bob

[Edited on 11-14-2005 by blhowes]

 

[py3ak]

Bob,

We'll pray about your job situation.

 

[blhowes]

Originally posted by py3ak
Bob,
We'll pray about your job situation.

Ruben,
Thank-you for your prayers. They are key, I'm sure, to a successful job search.
Bob

 

[Herald]

Be unconventional when looking for a job. DO NOT do what everyone else does. Broadcast mailings of your resume only make the paper companies rich. Let me give you an example of leveraging unconventionality.

When I wanted to go to work for ARAMARK, I had a difficult time getting my application and resume noticed. I finally gave up my futile attempts and decided to make a personal visit to the facility. I showed up and asked for the "boss." I went through the backdoor. Personally I think going through receptionists is for suckers. A very nice office girl took me to the boss' office. The boss looked up from his desk with a perplexed expression. He asked, "Can I help you?" I had one shot to make this work. I asked him, "Are you interested in increasing sales and profit?" What do you think the guy is going to say? Of course he is interested! He said, "Uh...yeah. What are you selling?" I answered, "Me! I have decided I want to work here as a salesperson and I know that you are the guy who can hire me." Now it took six more weeks and four interviews to get on the payroll, but I got my job.

[Edited on 11-14-2005 by BaptistInCrisis]

 

[Anton Bruckner]

What type of Boss was he? Didn't he have a red button under his desk like Mr. Burns to press and have the floor open up and swallow commoners like you

You're right, unconventional ways do work, it usually takes people by surprise and away from their strengths. Very profitable, but you have to stake out the company and know who is who. If you can approach the boss on his way to the office etc that would be good.

 

[blhowes]

Originally posted by BaptistInCrisis
Be unconventional when looking for a job. DO NOT do what everyone else does. Broadcast mailings of your resume only make the paper companies rich. Let me give you an example of leveraging unconventionality.

When I wanted to go to work for ARAMARK, I had a difficult time getting my application and resume noticed. I finally gave up my futile attempts and decided to make a personal visit to the facility. I showed up and asked for the "boss." I went through the backdoor. Personally I think going through receptionists is for suckers. A very nice office girl took me to the boss' office. The boss looked up from his desk with a perplexed expression. He asked, "Can I help you?" I had one shot to make this work. I asked him, "Are you interested in increasing sales and profit?" What do you think the guy is going to say? Of course he is interested! He said, "Uh...yeah. What are you selling?" I answered, "Me! I have decided I want to work here as a salesperson and I know that you are the guy who can hire me." Now it took six more weeks and four interviews to get on the payroll, but I got my job.

[Edited on 11-14-2005 by BaptistInCrisis]

I love your story. You've got guts...and the job. Thanks for the advice.

 

[wsw201]

Originally posted by blhowes
Today, I'm trying a job-search method that for many, myself included, is not the most fun method, but some studies show it to be one of the best methods - cold calling on the phone. I dread picking up the phone, but...

I made a list this weekend of a dozen or so people/companies that I want to call. I wrote a little script, which I practiced a bit, to use during the initial conversation. I just got off the phone with the first contact. It went ok, and we both quickly realized there was no match.

When I got off the phone, it occurred to me that a good number of you are, or have been, salesman who have learned to use the phones to sell your products. What does and don'ts have you learned about using the phone in sales that you think might pertain to using the phone for a job search?

I don't think cold calling is the right answer. The best way is through networking your contacts in the business. Many times its not what you know but who you know and getting to the decision makers and that is not the personnel office.

 

[blhowes]

Originally posted by wsw201
I don't think cold calling is the right answer. The best way is through networking your contacts in the business. Many times its not what you know but who you know and getting to the decision makers and that is not the personnel office.

I'll have to sit down and make a list of contacts. The first one's that come to mind are those who are in the same boat as I'm in, but I'm there are others.