Have you ever felt like you should call people who might be able to help you with your job search but you just couldn’t do it? If so, you’re not alone. But, calling people about your job search doesn’t need to be so intimidating .
Most people struggle with the idea of reaching out to someone they haven’t spoken with in a while. They don’t want it to look like they only called because they need help. That reluctance is what keeps many of us from making great contacts.
Who cares that you haven’t talked with your college roommate in 10 years? While it may feel awkward to you, that person probably would enjoy hearing from you, and would understand how hectic life becomes. Don’t let the length of time that has passed prevent you from calling people who could be supportive. There’s nothing like the sound of an old friend’s voice to lift your spirits and provide you with fresh insights.
Sending an email may work, but it won’t have the same effect as actually talking with them. How many emails do you receive daily — especially at work — that can easily get lost or treated as junk mail? You lose an element of control through email that you have during a phone conversation. A phone conversation lets you evaluate the other person’s tone of voice and gives you the chance to build on comments that may lead the conversation in a different direction.
If you decide you have nothing to lose and everything to gain, here are some ways to make your calls more productive.
Know why you’re calling
You are not asking for a job, nor do you expect them to know of one. You’re reaching out to them because of a shared interest or your desire for more information on industries or contacts they may know or organizations they are aware of that could broaden your search.
Know what you’re going to say
No matter who you call, a former colleague or a member of a professional association, you need to know what you are going to say to make the call productive. You’re calling them for a purpose, so be sure to know what points you would like to cover before you make the call.
For some it’s a matter of writing a script. You don’t need to memorize it, but you may need a guide to refer to so you can be sure to cover everything you want to discuss. Ideally, the goal of your conversation is to set up a time to meet with the person. Never end the conversation without asking about the next steps you should take to keep the path of communication open.
Find some feedback
Another reason to call people is to help clarify your thoughts. You can get valuable feedback that often can help change your direction and make you more productive. For example, have you ever started to describe your background to someone and felt like it sounded confusing? Talking helps you strengthen your ability to market skills, and the more you talk with people, the more confident you become.
Do you think it’s more effective to call someone or send an email?
