By Grace Du Prie Career Development & CounsellingServices

05/30/2011

RESEARCH CALLING - What and How????

What is research calling? It involves ringing employers or other people who may have the jobs you are looking for. It is a good way to show that you are keen to work and willing to do your homework. It is a way to learn what skills, attitudes, and results employers look for in their employees. It may or may not lead to a job or interview but that is not the main purpose.Your main goal is to do research, to get the information that will make later job searching easier and shorter.

What Problems Do People Have Using The Telephone? 1. Saying the wrong things.2. Confusion.3. Don't know what to say.4. Nervousness. Some Complaints From Employers Include: 1. Not knowing whom you wish to talk to.2. Not saying why you are ringing.3. Not giving your name.4. Yelling or whispering instead of speaking clearly.5. Using public phones on busy roads, or in noisy shopping centers.

How do you begin? Clearly, state to an employer or worker that you only want some information and you are not asking for employment.All you want is information about the business and its needs.

Who do you talk to? Talk to the person who sets the standards for the position you want like a supervisor, office manager or the owner. Try to stay clear of human resource managers. They are generally set up as barriers between the decision maker and the job seeker.

What do you say? An opening statement might go like this: YOU: Hi, my name is Cathy Smith. ) I am looking for some information to help me with a career change. I would like to find out more about the position of ... I would like to talk with the person in your company who knows what is needed to be successful as a ... (say the next sentence without pausingThe person that you initially speak to will most likely be a receptionist or some other non-decision maker. There are several responses he or she might make at this point: RECEPTIONIST: We don't have any jobs available. YOU: That's alright. I'm not looking for employment right now. I'm simply looking for some information. RECEPTIONIST: The person you need to speak to is not available right now. Can I take your name and have them call you back? (This is almost always a dead end) YOU: I'm not always at home and I would really hate to miss the call. It's no problem for me to call back at a more convenient time. Who should I ask for and when do you expect them in? (Write this information down; you can use it when you call back later) RECEPTIONIST: Hold on. I'll put you through to......... YOU: Thanks. (Great, you're on your way) You have the Decision Maker on the phone. What do you say? YOU: (Use that opening statement again.) Good morning, I'm Cathy Smith. I am thinking about a career change and I am calling for some information. I have just a couple of quick questions to ask which will help me to make a decision. Would you have a minute? DM: I don't have time for this. YOU: When would be a good time to call you? DM: We don't have any jobs available. YOU: (repeat opening statement - I'm really not looking for employment today) When Asking Your Questions Remember: o People love to talk about their jobso Take a real interest in what they are sayingo Listen carefully. Many times, it helps to restate briefly, what the speaker has just said. This shows him or her that you understood.o Get the full name and position title of the person you talked to. Be sure to thank that person for spending time with you.o Write down all information. Questions You May Ask: Following are some sample questions:1. On a typical day in this position, what do someone in this position do?

What training or education is required for this type of work?

What personal qualities or abilities are important to being successful in this job?

What part of this job do you find most satisfying? Most challenging?

What opportunities for advancement are there in this field?

What entry-level jobs are best for learning as much as possible?

What are the salary ranges for various levels in this field?

How do you see jobs in this field changing in the future?

Is there a demand for people in this occupation?

What special advice would you give a person entering this field?

What types of training do companies offer persons entering this field?

What do you think of the experience I've had so far in terms of entering this field?

From your perspective, what are the problems you see working in this field?

Who do you know that I should talk to next? When I call him/her, may I use your name?

Keep a record of everything you do!