What should I say on the phone when calling someone who may have a job for me ?

[febflake]

And whose number and needs were given to me by a former teacher ? That person is also a former student of the same school I attended.

I definitely have no experience in just calling people for work. Usually I am supposed to pick up offers in the "work centre" and get in contact with the person mentioned on the paper but things aren't that easy for me at the moment.

I am really lost because I don't really know how to sell myself and how to prevent an awkward conversation. Am I just supposed to ask if an appointment is to be taken for an interview? Should I try to put in the fact we are from same school, that I was a top student and a teacher actually phoned me to be sure I had received information he sent me by mail?

From informations I gathered I believe I am fit for the job but the description is a little vague.

Can someone point me to good resources on the internet or give me valuable advices? Thanks a lot!

I hope I posted in the adequate section.

[TheColonel]

I would start off with "Hi, Mr. X? My name is febflake. Do you have a minute to talk?"

If yes - "Thank you. I used to go to ABC College, and So-and-so had said some nice things about you."

(insert silence, and really listen to what they say)

(insert your SUCCINCT response here, remember to smile and be friendly when you're talking)

"The reason I'm calling is that I'm looking for a job, and I was hoping you could point me in the right direction OR give me some advice."

(insert silence, listen closely to what they say)

(insert your SUCCINCT response here, remember to smile and be friendly when you're talking)

__________________________________________________ ________

Don't come right out and ask for a job. They don't know anything about you yet. The key is to ask for direction, advice or guidance.

This is a softer way to approach strangers, and it allows them to warm up. You want any forward moves (submission or resume, interviews, etc.) to be THEIR idea.

[StarFish]

The best way is to just straight up tell who you're calling the truth. When he picks up, just introduce you're self and state you're looking for the job and were referred by your Teacher. By having someone you both know, can mean already having a foot in the door.

[mtrimpe]

You say that you're afraid that it will be an awkward conversation. My suggestion is, make it an awkward conversation.

Because you fear it, you know very well how to have an awkward conversation. What you're good at right now is having awkward conversations, so pick up the phone and have that awkward conversation.

So I'd say:

[Start awkwardness]
> Helllo with [name of job offerer].
Hi, .... awkward silence .... I'm febflake and uhhh ... I'm sorry, but uhmm ... I'm calling you because uhmm ... I'm sorry, this feels kind of awkward but ... one of my old professors referred me to you. Uhm ... and he suggested that you might have a job for me ... uhmm, I'm kind of looking for a job right now and uhmmm, I'm not used to calling for job offers, but I was wondering uhm... I don't even know if I'm right for you job ... uhm... could you tell me what the job is about?
(The Job Offerer now thinks you're a bit shy, which you are, but also thinks you're a sweet guy, you're awkwardness probably put a smile on his face and whe knows that even when you are afraid of doing things you can still summon up the courage to do them)
> Of course I can tell you about the job, it's blablablibliblublu ...
(The Job Offerer has now ended the awkwardness)
OK .. wow, that sounds really interesting. I think I could really do that job, I worked here and did that and worked there and did that, bladibladibla.
> OK, that sounds nice... maybe you should come over for a talk.

Unless you're applying for a job offer in sales, you've now:
1. gotten an interview
2. the job offerer has a feel for who you are as a person and
3. probably kind of likes you because you sounded honest and sweet.

And of course, if the conversation ends up not to be awkward at all, that's OK too. I mean it's not the end of the world if it goes smoothly, things don't necessarily have to be as hard as you expect them to be.

All in all, I say just be yourself and call the guy.

[Lychee]

Originally Posted by mtrimpe

You say that you're afraid that it will be an awkward conversation. My suggestion is, make it an awkward conversation.

Because you fear it, you know very well how to have an awkward conversation. What you're good at right now is having awkward conversations, so pick up the phone and have that awkward conversation.

So I'd say:

[Start awkwardness]
> Helllo with [name of job offerer].
Hi, .... awkward silence .... I'm febflake and uhhh ... I'm sorry, but uhmm ... I'm calling you because uhmm ... I'm sorry, this feels kind of awkward but ... one of my old professors referred me to you. Uhm ... and he suggested that you might have a job for me ... uhmm, I'm kind of looking for a job right now and uhmmm, I'm not used to calling for job offers, but I was wondering uhm... I don't even know if I'm right for you job ... uhm... could you tell me what the job is about?
(The Job Offerer now thinks you're a bit shy, which you are, but also thinks you're a sweet guy, you're awkwardness probably put a smile on his face and whe knows that even when you are afraid of doing things you can still summon up the courage to do them)
> Of course I can tell you about the job, it's blablablibliblublu ...
(The Job Offerer has now ended the awkwardness)
OK .. wow, that sounds really interesting. I think I could really do that job, I worked here and did that and worked there and did that, bladibladibla.
> OK, that sounds nice... maybe you should come over for a talk.

Unless you're applying for a job offer in sales, you've now:
1. gotten an interview
2. the job offerer has a feel for who you are as a person and
3. probably kind of likes you because you sounded honest and sweet.

And of course, if the conversation ends up not to be awkward at all, that's OK too. I mean it's not the end of the world if it goes smoothly, things don't necessarily have to be as hard as you expect them to be.

All in all, I say just be yourself and call the guy.

Uh, I don't think that's such a good idea.

Keep yourself professional. It doesn't matter if you're looking for a sales position or not. Employers and coworkers don't want to deal with someone who can't even articulate their thoughts properly. Be courteous and to the point. If you think you might fumble when you speak to him, write some thoughts about what you want to say or play it over in your head to prepare yourself.

[shant121]

Just be straightforward. Most people appreciate this.

" The reason I'm calling is that I'm looking for a job, and I was hoping you could point me in the right direction OR give me some advice." sounds good too.

and just be yourself. all the best

[febflake]

Thanks for your input everyone!

It turned out I was afraid to call. Being afraid to get an awkward conversation was a way to put other words on my fear and I came to believe this lie I told myself. I am afraid because making this call is part of another process: find a job, get something new in life, lose something else, etc.
But in the end I called and everything went all right. I am very at ease talking to strangers or anyone. It's not fear of talking or dealing with people, but fear of changes.

@TheColonel:
I take good note of what you wrote. This a very subtle way to put the other participant at ease, yet he is the one feeling active in the conversation. I think I am going to practice this method some time in the future.

@mtrimpe:
I believe this might work if you want people to help you, or to take care of you (maybe getting a date).. It certainly works to paint oneself as a victim but I am pretty sure they aren't looking for someone to take care of and that is a wrong approach for a job.

@Starfish&shant121:
That's the way I finally did it and I believe it went well.

Thanks everyone!