COMMUNICATION IN EVERYDAY LIFE Assertiveness skills Body language Communicating with your children Conversation skills Difficult People Emotional Maturity Enhancing your marriage Family Life Interpersonal relationships Speaking skills Writing skills BUSINESS COMMUNICATION Business ethics Business etiquette Business writing Communication in the workplace Cross-cultural communication Conflict resolution Creative thinking Crisis management Customer relations Effective meetings Job-hunting skills Management strategies Marketing communication Negotiating skills Networking in business Presentation skills Team building Technology and communication Telephone marketing
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Don't Call Us. We'll Call You:
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1. Record rock music or let your children record your voice message. When job hunting, your personal answering machine becomes your office machine. The recorded message should be as professional as any office voice mail.
2.Speak in a monotone. Nobody wants to hire a person who lacks energy and enthusiasm. Your voice is your first impression. Enthusiasm sells!
3. Leave a long, rambling message. Interviewers don't have much time. Be brief and get to the point. It shows a person who is organized and focused.
4. Mumble and eliminate word endings. Sloppy speech is one of the best ways to be screened out. This is especially critical for telemarketing, receptionists, secretaries, help desk jobs, customer service, sales, or any position which requires use of the telephone.
5.Chew gum. The listener can tell when someone is chewing or snapping gum. It sounds sloppy and unprofessional.
6. Use incorrect grammar. You may be bright but the interviewer may not think so. Literacy in the workplace is a challenge. Employers want candidates who sound educated.
7.Don't leave your phone number. Don't assume the interviewer knows your number. Your resume may not be handy. Always end your message with your phone number to increase your chances of a callback.
8. Never be available when your call is returned. If you are too difficult to reach, the interviewer will move on to the next resume. Avoid telephone tag by stating when and where you can be reached.
9. Show irritation with the receptionist. You are interviewing with the entire organization. Receptionists can make or break careers. Be respectful and pleasant to everybody and remember to thank them for their help.
10. Don't give a benefit for returning your call. Move yourself to the top of the pile by giving a benefit. "I'm interested in the customer service position because I enjoy solving problems and love building long term relationships."
Copyright © Diane DiResta 2006. All rights reserved.
Diane DiResta is president of DiResta Communications, Inc., a New York City consultancy serving business leaders who want to communicate with greater impact — whether face-to-face, in front of a crowd or from an electronic platform. DiResta is the author of Knockout Presentations: How to Deliver Your Message with Power, Punch, and Pizzazz, an Amazon.com category best-seller and widely-used text in college business communication courses. Visit her site at: http://www.DiResta.com/.
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Some Related Articles:
Gaffes, Goofs and Other Boneheaded Career Moves
Telephone Etiquette: Right Way to Make Calls
How Not to Get Your Foot in the Door
Show Your Best in an Interview and Move Your Career Forward
Better Left Unsaid: How to Avoid Foot-in-Mouth Interviews
Embarrassing Moments and Other Challenging Interview Questions
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