Do you want a job? Ettiquette please!

In my job at a major company in the human resources department I am ALWAYS on the phone talking to potential candidates.

If I'm not calling them to schedule them for interviews, they are calling me to inquire about the status of their applications. While a great many of them have nice phone manners and a good business acumen, I am continually amazed at how many people lack the basic skills to carry on a very minimal business conversation.

A few phone pointers:

Introduce yourself

SPEAK CLEARLY and ENUNCIATE

Act like I'm a potential employer, not your mom

Don't assume the job is yours

And in an interview:

Wear appropriate clothing

DON'T SLOUCH

Don't tell us what you are or are not willing to do

Don't tell us the money isn't good enough

Act interested

Know something about the company and ask good questions


Kids should be taught how to carry on a good conversation with a potential employer in junior high school. Knowing how to introduce yourself, look an adult right in the eye, give a good hand-shake, be able to give a direct answer are all skills any young adult should launch in to the real world with.

This summer a dear friend's son was applying for an internship. He had missed a call from the company he was hoping to intern for and called them back.

While his mom stood by listening as he called she heard this from her highly intelligent, well-educated son.

"Hi, you called me."

She was stupefied! "No! You're supposed to say "This is _____, may I please speak with____"

She really thought that he knew how to handle a business phone call.

The minute he got off the phone she gave him the Evelyn Wood version of how to handle a business call.

Some folks just aren't comfortable on the phone, but those first impressions ARE important.
If you can make a good impression on the phone, the likelihood of getting a face to face interview is far greater.

Parents, teach your children well!