Li has learned many things in his class about interviewing and feels fairly confident about the process

Question

He would like to start scheduling interviews, but he needs to learn more about the process of organizing
and placing telephone calls to request interviews. He would also appreciate the opportunity to learn
from others who have been successful in arranging interviews with employers.

What suggestions do you have for Li about organizing and placing telephone calls to request an interview?

To demonstrate to Li the process of learning from other individuals’ interviewing processes,
contact at least five or more people in your own field who have recently landed a job. Ask what
methods worked best for them.

Answer 1

Learn all you can about the organization before calling. Get the name of the person you need to
contact before you call to request an interview. You may need to make a preliminary call to get
this name.
? Write out your script completely. Summarize the key points you need to cover in your call prior
to placing the call. List all the information you need to obtain from your contact. The script or
outline is essential! It helps you organize your message and sound intelligent and well prepared.
It also serves as a reference in case you forget items.
? What to say when someone answers the telephone:
? Identify yourself first: “Hello, this is Li Johnson.” (Support personnel who screen calls are
immediately suspicious of callers who do not give their names or do not state why they are
calling. Therefore, be straightforward and eliminate any suspicions.)
? Identify your purpose for calling. Deliver your request for an interview, or use a practiced
indirect strategy for getting through to the employer.
? Get the name of the person who answers. Ask, “Could I please have your name in case I
need to talk with you again?” (Write it down. Using this person’s name can make him or
her far more receptive to helping you.)
? Clarify the details. Clarify any follow-up activities you are to complete (pick up an
application, supply additional information or references, keep an appointment, and so on).
Verify the time and place for any meetings; get the correct spelling and pronunciation of the
names of people you will meet.
? Thank the person by name.