Don Straits - Dragon Slayer

Sometimes it is the smallest things that count. The bigger picture focuses on networking, search strategies, interviewing and salary negotiations. Worthy discussions, but too often we ignore common sense practices that can make the difference on whether or not you land the interview or get the job offer. Let's look at just three of those practices, with others to follow in the future.

1.  Don't take that call from the hiring personnel.  Picture this:  You are in the grocery store and your cell phone rings.  You answer it.  It's the VP of HR, or a senior manager, or a C-level executive, and they want to conduct a phone interview for a position they have available.  Naturally, your first reaction is to take the call and let them start asking questions.  You want the job and, at least, it's a first interview.  Major mistake to take that call when you're not prepared, though.  You might be beset on all sides by elevator music, kids yelling, and carts banging against each other.  You might decide to walk outside.  Same story.  From car and truck noise to more yelling, you are in a no-win situation.  The better strategy is to say something like:  "Thank you for calling.  I am currently not in a location where I can have a discussion.  May I have your name, company and phone number and I will call you back at a time convenient for you."  Now you have demonstrated professionalism and you can call back when you are safely tucked away in your home office and you've had a chance to conduct some preliminary research on the company or recruiter.

2.  What is your phone number (part one)?  Try this experiment:  next time you call someone to leave a message, record the call and then listen to yourself.  I will bet even you cannot understand or repeat the phone number you just left in your message.  I wish I had a dollar for everytime someone left me a return phone number at warp speed.  I would be rich.  Think about it.  Don't you get frustrated everytime someone leaves a message and you must play through two or three times to understand the phone number?  But then you turn around and do the exact same thing when you leave a message.  SLOW DOWN AND REPEAT YOURSELF.   Say the number slowly and clearly.  Then say:  "Once again, my number is 555-555-5555.  You will have just earned the respect of the recipient of that call.

3.  What is your phone number (part two)?  Do you have a signature file on all of your emails....both outgoing and responding?  When a job seeker emails a recruiter or corporate decision maker without a signature file on their correspondence, it speaks volumes about their attention to detail and professionalism.  I receive thousands of resumes.  It would amaze you how many say: "Please call me." or "I look forward to your call." and then their is no phone number in their email.  Yes, I can go dig it out of their resume, but then you have just caused me to be inefficient in my use of time.   Leaving off contact information from your email, even if it is in your resume, will usually get your resume deleted.

In summary, pay attention to the little details. It can make a world of difference in your job search.