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Anonymous

03/03/20 at 2:53AM UTC

Career

Please explain how to make a follow-up call

Exactly how important are follow-up calls to job interviews, and is there any possible alternative to them? I've had a near-phobia of talking on the phone, except to people I know well, since I was about 5. The only people I'm comfortable calling are close friends and family members, and even them I only call if I have to. I've been told I'm friendly and easy to get along with in person, both in workplaces and my personal life. I'm articulate and no more shy than many other introverts. So, my problem isn't with talking to strangers in general; it's with the phone, specifically. When I have to make a phone call, even for something like making a dentist appointment, I feel so much anxiety I end up putting it off for hours or altogether. What do I do about follow-up calls? Everyone tells me I have to make them but no one can explain to me what to say, anyway. Their purpose seems to be running over to the company's proverbial court to pick up the ball you already passed to them and annoyingly bonk some poor receptionist who's never heard of you over the head with it. I don't understand what on earth I'm supposed to say, and I feel like if I don't have a *literal* script, I'm not able to get up the nerve to make the call.

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schoenlegal

574

schoenlegal 25 yr legal recruiter MBA and JD

03/03/20 at 2:10PM UTC

If you went into the company through their Talent Acquisition Office, your follow-up phone call should be to that person. You should work up what you want to say, drill it down to an outline and have that outline in front of you before you make the call. Make the call short and sweet, letting the recruiter know that you are calling to check in because you are very interested in the position. AND THEN LET THEM TALK. If you went into the company through the manager to whom you would be reporting, you can either call or drop a follow-up email (often easier). Again, same rules as above with respect to the outline. Again, make the call short and sweet, reiterate you are calling because you are very interested in the opportunity and are curious as to the status of your candidacy. AND THEN LET THEM TALK. Got the picture??? GOOD LUCK!

Anonymous

03/03/20 at 3:58PM UTC

Not sure why you're yelling at me, but I never have a problem with letting people talk. I'm extremely reserved. And, what about when you applied the way most people do these days, online, and you don't have a specific contact within the organization, and can't find one online?

schoenlegal

574

schoenlegal 25 yr legal recruiter MBA and JD

03/03/20 at 4:41PM UTC

Wow! I am most certainly not yelling at you. If that is all that you got out of my response, I'm sorry. As for "the regular people", my advice is the same...apply through the portal. Then look up the company through linkedin to see if you know someone at the company (or if a friend of a friend of a friend does). Then you utlize Linkedin for its intended purpose and ask to be introduced and introduced until you get to the person who works at the company. Then you follow my original instructions and have that person walk your resume into the hiring person. Again, good luck!

User deleted comment on 03/03/20 at 3:58PM UTC

Anonymous

03/03/20 at 12:08PM UTC

Yes have a script but don’t sound like you’re reading. So practice. And anticipate questions. It could turn into a phone screen/1st round interview. Sound confident. If you sound nervous and unprepared you’ll only hurt your chances. Many companies do a phone screen as the first round of interviewing. You need to practice in order to do well and get invited to an in person interview. You have some sort of phobia, do you know the root of your problem? If it’s interfering with simple things like scheduling a dentist appointment, you should consider therapy.

Wendy Rolon

Marketing Business strategist - Business Mentor

03/03/20 at 4AM UTC

My husband is the ultimate relationship builder and makes every call effortlessly from the simplest request to the most difficult conversation. I on the other hand truly despise making calls :(. I think you are on the right track - start with a plan and a script then execute it. Truthfully, many people only community digitally so as a caller you will automatically stand out as a candidate - so you are already ahead. A simple to the receptionist, "my name is Anonymous :) and I interviewed with so and so for the blank position. I am calling to see if she has made a decision on a candidate." If you actually reach the interviewer "Hello So and so, this is Anonymous. We met during my interview for the blank position on xx. I am still very interested in the position and was calling to see if you have selected a candidate." Role play with yourself, with family, with friends. It gets easier. There is no wrong answer. You can do it! Best of luck with your search.

Anonymous

03/03/20 at 5:44AM UTC

Thanks; calling to ask if a hiring decision has been made makes sense to me. My question, though, was directed at the advice I've received to call a company 2-7 days after submitting an application, before they've even responded to the application. Is this incorrect?

Anonymous

03/03/20 at 7:57AM UTC

yes, it helps your submission stand out amid what could be a large pile of applications. Just change the sentence to 'I'm calling to find out where you are with the hiring process/whether you have had time to review my resume or something similar. Be prepared to give a very short summary of why you are the right person for the job. (Check out my free webinar PREP For Success for a simple way to summarize. Register here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XHJTf9WgSxKprrWAAvP36g )

User deleted comment on 03/03/20 at 5:41AM UTC

Sherri Wagner

03/03/20 at 3:49AM UTC

Write your own script. Start by asking for the hiring supervisor or other contact. Tell them that you interviewed with them on xxx day for yyy position. Tell them what impressed you most about the job, and thank them for taking the time to interview you. Then ask, “Have you made your final selection yet?”

Anonymous

03/03/20 at 5:38AM UTC

I'm talking about a follow-up to a submitted resume, before I even get asked for an interview. But thanks, telling them what impressed me about the job is a good tip.