THE EMPLOYMENT PAGES
Marketing Yourself on the Telephone

By Barbara Hagan, Workplace Literacy Consultant

graphic of a man looking through binoculars

The telephone can be one of the best tools you will use in your job search. You can contact many employers quickly, as opposed to the time it takes to personally drop in on businesses.

To use this tool effectively it is important to know exactly what you want to say to the hiring person on the other end of the line. This is called your "Marketing Script" and it must be clear and brief.

First, you need to know why you are making this call. Most people would answer; "to get a job". Certainly that is the long-term goal; however, if you think about it, the immediate result you want is to arrange a meeting with the employer to discuss the possibility of employment.

If you keep this short-term goal in mind, you will find that employers will be much more interested in what you have to say and you will be more successful in arranging interviews.

Do's and Don'ts of Your Telephone Marketing Script

Do:

  • Introduce yourself, giving your first and last name
  • Identify your job objective' title' employment experience
  • Ask to meet with the employer to discuss possible employment opportunities or, to learn more about that company' industry

Do Not:

  • Say you are looking for work
  • Ask about any jobs' openings

Following are two examples of telephone marketing scripts:

Employment Interview / Meeting Request:

Hello, my name is __________________ I am a: (see examples)

  • Warehouse Person
  • Prep Cook
  • Receptionist
  • Commercial and Residential Cleaner
  • Truck Driver
  • __________________________

with ____ years experience. I'm networking with local employers and wonder if we could meet for 10 or 15 minutes this week or next to discuss possible employment opportunities. Set date and time.

Information Interview / Meeting Request:

Hello, my name is__________________ I am interested in working as a: (see examples) ______________________, and I am meeting with local employers to learn more about the skills and training a company like yours would require. I would appreciate your advice and wonder if we could meet for 10 or 15 minutes this week or next. Set date and time.