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Asking about Job Openings over the Phone
StudioAudience
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
I've been sending resumes ever since I graduated in May, and have had no luck with responses. In an effort to help me, my uncle asked his neighbor, Bill, if there were any job openings at the company that he works at. My major was molecular bio, and the company that the Bill works at appears to focus on drug research for diseases. Bill gives my uncle the number of another scientist at the company, and says that I should probably talk to him if I'm interested about getting a job. I checked the company's website and didn't find any openings for entry level research associates, and am kind of clueless as to how I should handle the conversation when I call.
I figure I'll introduce myself, explain how I got his number, and say that I recently graduated. Would it be tactless to ask him directly if there are any job openings for the sort of position that I want, or should I go about it in a more indirect manner?
I figure I'll introduce myself, explain how I got his number, and say that I recently graduated. Would it be tactless to ask him directly if there are any job openings for the sort of position that I want, or should I go about it in a more indirect manner?
GFWL: studaud (for SF4)
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Have an immediate objective going into the call. I would suggest that objective would be to meet this man in person over lunch (if you can afford it, pick up the tab), not to 'GET A JOB'. That's your final objective. As much as the firm this person works for may not have an immediate opening, if he meets you and likes you he is more likely to refer you to others in the industry, and to inform you of other possible openings.
Use him as a networking contact... if they happen to have a job that you qualify for, even better. If not, you have made one immediate connection. Be sure to keep in touch with him every month or so if he's not actively contacting you.
Also, if you aren't there already, look into a site called LinkedIn, the regular membership is free and is great for making professional contacts.
But as for the call itself, I'd imagine myself making this call:
*Ringing*
"Hello, Dr. Scientist speaking,"
"Hello Dr. Scientist, My name's Ruckus q. Periwinkle, I'm a recent graduate of the x program at x university. Somebody gave me your name and number and told me that if there were any research openings at XCorp, you'd be the man to talk to. Do you have time to talk right now?"
at this point it's probable that Dr. Scientist would either accept and start talking to you, ask you to call him back at a better time, or possibly refer you to someone else (perhaps a research assistant in charge of hiring, or an HR department).
I second Linkedin.
Also, along with what Omnimon stated, you could also go the 'I'm really interesting in what xcorp is developing in x industry. If there is one thing about engineers/scientist/whatever is that they like to talk about what they do.
For instance, call up Dr. Scientist, introduce yourself as the recently graduated student, talk about your mutual contact a bit, then ask if there is a time you can meet and talk about xcorp, their projects etc. Lunch works, but a meeting at the actual company building itself is great. That way you become familiar with the company, and they will become familiar with you. Chances are that Dr. Scientist (if he has time) will introduce you to his supervisor, his subordinates, HR folks, etc.
And like Omnimon said, if they don't have something for you right away, they may have contacts elsewhere.
Changed slightly, let him know how you got this numebr otherwise it sounds like you just looked it up in the book, this is now more personal to him and he will be more inclined to help you out.
Satans..... hints.....
Just calling up a company and asking about jobs, if they don't have any, leads to a very quick end of the phone call. Try making some contacts by doing informational interviews, which is where you go in and talk to people about their jobs, ask their advice for someone in your field, ask if there's anyone else they know you should speak to, etc. When you go to an interview, be prepared. Take notes, ask questions, and take your resume. Also ]send a thank you card the next day.
Generally, you want to avoid the HR department monkies as much as possible.