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If you're like how I used to be, you hate phoning people. It's so much easier just to email or text them. You can plan out exactly what you need to say and there's no chance of you panicking and forgetting everything. I'm sorry to be the one to tell you, but phoning people is one of the best ways to get work experience. It's actually how I got two of my placements!
A lot of companies don't list email addresses online. And even if they do, it usually takes a long time to get a response. But you know what they do list? Phone numbers! And when you're phoning someone, they can't ignore you. They have to answer your questions there and then.
I'm not saying phoning someone is easy; I still panic and make silly mistakes when I'm talking. But you can get better at it! By reading this article and practising, you'll be a pro in no time.
Don't Start With Your Name
When you're phoning someone to talk about work experience, your name actually isn't the most important thing. Trying to fit it in to your opening sentence will only trip you up and add unnecessary words. In fact, there's usually no need to mention your name at all, unless the person you're phoning asks for it.
Plan Your First Sentence
Trying to write a script for your whole phone call is a bad idea. You can never prepare for every question you might be asked and it's important to be able to adapt. However, it is a good idea to plan your first sentence word-for-word. The start of the phone call is when you're likely to get stage fright and freeze. You can counteract this by taking a few seconds before the call to write down what you're going to begin with. The sentence I always start with is: "Hi! Who's the best person to talk to about TY work experience?". It gets right to the point and makes sure you get to talk to the right person, and not just whoever answers the phone.
Have a Notebook
Having a notebook in front of you is crucial when you're making an important phone call. Often, information is thrown at you unexpectedly, and it's best to have a notebook right there in front of you. It's also a good idea to jot down some important information you might need before the phone call starts. This could include dates you're available for placement, your TY coordinator's contact information, and any information from previous phone calls you've made to this company.
Ask Questions!
If someone gives you an unhelpful response, don't just say "ok!" and hang up. When someone says: "they're not here right now", you reply: "when will they be back?". If you're told to call back later, ask: "when's the best time?". These might seem like obvious things when you see them written down, but these are things that I have just completely forgotten to ask. In the moment, we often panic and forget the most obvious things that we realise afterwards we should have asked.
Follow Up
It's unlikely that you'll be able to cover everything in one phone call. It's likely that the right person won't be there the first time you call, or that you didn't have all the information that you needed. Make sure to leave no more than a week between the first call and a follow up. Once you end your first call, write down the date you made it on and what date you plan to follow up on.
Use these tips to go forth and conquer phone calls. Know someone else with telephonophobia? Share this post with them! Make sure to comment, like and subscribe below, and to become a member to earn badges.
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