There are vacancies, like songs: you read and understand that the company cares not only about current, but also about potential employees, everything is so clear and detailed. But, alas, not all job ads are like that. Sometimes you need to pick up and call to find out things that are important for yourself and not waste time on a meaningless interview. Let's decide what questions we will ask the representative of the company.
1. What responsibilities will I have to perform?
Not all vacancies contain detailed description job responsibilities, and in some job advertisements, the functionality is generally copied from job description- in such cases, you just need to find out what exactly you have to do. Not every accountant, for example, is ready to take on the duties of a personnel officer or secretary, and a bank teller is ready to take on the function of a credit manager. If you don't want a surprise, ask! It also makes sense to clarify who you will report to and whose instructions you will have to carry out.
2. Why did the vacancy arise?
Few people ask this question, but meanwhile the answer to it will give you a lot of reasons for reflection. It's one thing if the vacancy appeared in connection with the development of a new direction by the company. Quite another thing is if the previous employee was fired or you are hired for the duration of the decree of the main employee. Try to find out why the company decided to part ways with your predecessor. Find out under what conditions you have to replace an employee who has gone on maternity leave: as staff member or by temporary employment contract. Specify the state in which your predecessor left things: if you have to correct other people's shortcomings or work in emergency mode from the very first days, it is better to know about this in advance.
3. How will the employment relationship be formalized?
Be sure to find out how the employer plans to formalize your employment: it is not uncommon for the formalization to be delayed until after probationary period(and it's illegal!). You must remember that registration in accordance with the Labor Code of the Russian Federation guarantees the payment of vacations and sick leaves, contributions to the pension fund and health insurance.
4. Where will I be working?
It is also important where your workplace will be geographically located. We have a service "Superjob - Work near home". It is most convenient to use it in our mobile applications on iOS and Android. Workplace is further than you expected? Ask if the company has corporate transport. If the vacancy does not indicate the address of the work - call.
5. How much will I be paid?
It is better to discuss financial issues at the interview - after you learn about your official duties. But if the amount of earnings is not indicated in the vacancy or the employer also does not know your salary expectations (for example, he independently found your resume, which indicates “salary by agreement”) - ask! Just do not start a conversation with a recruiter with the topic of salary - let this question not be the first one.
Save the link to this memo, share it on your social network page, print it out and always have it in front of your eyes when talking on the phone with a recruiter or potential employer. This will help to halve the number of "empty" interviews.
Making a phone call to ask questions about a job helps make a good first impression on a potential employer. It will also allow you to make inquiries about the company or even find mutual language with the person on the other end of the line. Gather available information, plan the conversation, and set yourself up for a pleasant and professional conversation in order to be well prepared for the call.
Steps
Part 1
Gather Information- Use the company's website, LinkedIn and other social networks to search for information.
- Determine the aspects of the company that attract you in order to immediately prepare an answer to the question of why you are interested in cooperation.
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Organize the collected information. If you want to call several companies, then organize the information about each organization in a separate table. Highlight contact details so they are visible. Indicate in the table the dates and times of calls, the results of the conversation and information about the person with whom you spoke, so that you can call back if necessary.
Find a quiet place. It is better to call from a quiet place in order to focus on a business conversation. You should not be distracted by the noise in the room or on the street. If there are other people in the room, then ask them not to make noise or distract you during a telephone conversation.
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Prepare a place. Bring a pen or pencil and paper to take notes as you speak. For convenience, put in front of you a table with contact details and company information. In this case it is better to use landline phone so that the connection is not interrupted, and messages and other calls do not distract you from the call. Take a glass of water in case your throat gets dry.
- Do not place a call with an HR employee on hold to answer the other person.
- A glass of water is enough. No need to eat, drink, smoke or chew gum during a call.
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Keep your resume handy when you call. Use your resume when answering questions about your work experience. This ensures that the information you provide during the call will match what the HR employee reads on the resume. Be sure to update the document before you call so that it contains up-to-date information.
- Thanks to the presence of a resume, you can calmly answer questions and not worry.
Find a person from the company to contact. Use social networks like LinkedIn, Facebook, Google, and the official company page for HR contact details. You can also call the reception or information centre organizations. They are almost always ready to give you the number of the department or person you need to contact.
Review company information. Prepare for the conversation and collect all available information about the company. Find a mission statement and review the company's main goals. Look at the descriptions of current employees and positions to find out what kind of employees the company needs and what responsibilities are assigned to employees.
Done - THEY called!! So, they noticed your resume, singled it out among others, and now they are eager to see you! In the meantime, you need to arrange a cherished meeting by phone ...
It is common knowledge that first impressions are extremely important and all that... But does this rule work when communicating on the phone? After all, we have no idea with whom we are talking, and we cannot be seen ...
Talk to the invisible, knowing that the future may depend on the conversation?! Most of this situation is much more frightening than a personal visit. The reasons for unmotivated, at first glance, fear are understandable. We are deprived of many opportunities for the "presentation" of our own person: we cannot demonstrate a lively manner of communication, look into the interlocutor's eyes, show a business card, in the end. But not from telephone connection you won’t get away: the first two-way contact with a potential employer, as a rule, takes place over the phone.
And after putting the tube on the lever, very suspicious persons are haunted by the thought: “What did they think of me? What if they don't like me?"
Let's say right away: suspiciousness is not a trait that helps to live. But really, is it possible to harm yourself or, conversely, help through five-minute telephone conversations with a personnel officer?
Neither yes nor no. You can only create a certain preliminary basis, the ground for the interview. And whether it will become solid ground or swampy swamp - it already depends on you.
No false starts!
The first impression of a job seeker is formed before the voice finds its flesh-and-blood master, long before the Rubicon, called the interview. The image - temperament, character, strengths and weaknesses of the applicant - "materializes" in the mind of the employer during about the first 15 seconds of the conversation.
So the "basics" of the conversation are very important, but at the same time trivial. And how do you usually behave at the beginning, when you communicate with the personnel officer not “through the phone”, but in the real three-dimensional reality? Entering the office, you cast a glance at the interlocutor, nod to him with a smile, shake hands, sit down ... The beginning is a mini-performance, exchange of glances, conversation at a shortened distance: gradually, from general phrases, and not right off the bat: “what and koKA.
In telephone communication, everything happens in a truncated version, but in principle, according to the same scheme: greeting - polite neutral phrases - transition to the point - an appointment to meet - farewell.
Did you get a call? When answering, smile!
More natural!
Barrier. Is the smile crooked? Are you uncomfortable for some reason? Observation is important not only in communicating with the employer on the phone, it is important for the entire process of "competition" and for life in general. Temporarily out of work, "vacant" workers often fall into two extremes (which is manifested in the voice). First: from the rich range of intonations of their own voice, applicants choose the most timid and ingratiating. And who will be imbued with respect for the petitioner? Moreover, in such a situation, not only the candidate will feel awkward, but minor plaintive notes also have a depressing effect on the employer. Therefore, he also tunes in not for the most favorable outcome of the interview ...
Just as often, the diametrically opposite mistake is made: the applicant is so unwilling to act as a petitioner that he deliberately makes his voice hard or cheeky, as if declaring: “I am a priceless treasure, you are incredibly lucky that I deigned to send my resume!”. Such a pseudo-protective reaction will completely spoil the impression in the very first seconds. The HR manager will have no choice but to meet you at the interview fully armed, aggressively puffing up, biasedly looking for shortcomings, imaginary and genuine.
Bounce! Both one and the other extremes are connected with a conviction deeply embedded in our minds: it is shameful to offer one's work. The paradox has a quite simple explanation: most of our compatriots grew up in an era of total employment, when only those who had sunk to the very bottom of society remained without work. Our compatriots have not yet formed a normal attitude towards job search as an ordinary episode in the biography.
Then for business - form! Think, what are you ashamed of?! For example, draw a parallel: when someone is looking for housing, this indicates that he cares about how to improve his quality of life. And when a person is looking for a job, this testifies to the same thing: he has aspiration, strength, choice. Forward!
Erase the negative
Barrier… Was the previous dialogue held in a raised voice? We receive many incoming calls throughout the day. It is possible that just before the personnel officer called you, you just finished an impartial conversation - with your boss, wife, mother-in-law ... In a word, you had a fight. Well, of course, you experienced a whole range of sensations ... Or just someone in your environment did something wrong, and you are disappointed. Or maybe just tired or sick. Caution: all troubles - small and large - affect the tone for many minutes and even hours after the excess! Therefore, it is possible that your intonations in the current conversation will retain “remnants of the past” and will sound somewhat uncertain and depressed. And the voice, by the way, should be adequate - to reflect what is happening in this moment, not what happened an hour ago.
Bounce! If you always want to murmur like a crystal brook, “erase” the “records” of previous conversations from your memory: exorbitant harshness or resentment, a guilty tone or an angry roar. Don't focus on the negative! After a squabble, it’s generally better to immediately switch to something pleasant: eat a chocolate bar, pet a cat, chat with a friend ... Let off steam! This will bring your voice back to normal. The speech apparatus is a very sensitive mechanism, it perfectly responds to the "first" psychological help of its owner. And if, while talking with an employer, you contemplate something pleasant (a photo of your baby, an aquarium or a poster with a popular actress), a piece of your positive will be transmitted to your interlocutor ...
Relax
Barrier... When you saw the number of a particularly important subscriber flashing on the display, did you immediately tense up? And the tone - after you! So excessive responsibility and special hopes placed on a call from a high-ranking person can do a disservice. We paid attention to the fact that at various meetings and performances we sometimes “sound” unnaturally and monotonously. Until we get carried away with content or communication?
Bounce! Breathe in and out and smile broadly. A smile (by the way, scientists have long proved this) can act on the principle of feedback: even a “stretched one” causes the brain to produce the hormone of happiness. Now boldly answer the challenge! You will sound as natural as when communicating with household members, and the interlocutor on the other end of the wire will not even have a shadow of a doubt that your voice and consciousness are clamped in the vise of fear.
Don't chatter
Barrier… Do you think that by setting an excessively fast pace of conversation, you will make it clear to the personnel officer that you can work just as quickly? Not at all business qualities are even less associated in the mind with the art of tongue twisters than with the ability to gobble up both cheeks. Slow down! The speed of perception does not help - it hurts.
Bounce! The best moment for the manifestation of efficiency is a clear and detailed answer to the question asked, without long pauses, stuttering and all sorts of “shorter” and “as if”. And in order to be asked less, do not increase the pace of speech, it is better to make distinct and appropriate pauses and correctly place logical stresses. These two techniques will help convey the necessary information (including about your merits) to the opponent making the decision.
Well, if you know for yourself a “sin” to quickly and aggressively issue verbal volleys, take this habit under control. Try not to fill your lungs with air before the mini-speech - then there will be no temptation to chatter.
Fizkultprivet
Barrier ... Long and stubbornly kept silent? Or just woke up? Most likely, your voice will sound muffled, if not hoarse. Before you get to work, the speech apparatus, like any other system or "option" of our body, needs a little warm-up.
Bounce! In order to “be heard” with trills louder, it would be nice to practice for five minutes in the morning. As a last resort, you can take a sip of hot tea or a sip (no more!) of red wine. So, the "apparatus" is ready - the timbre is restored. Only having found your true voice, you can appear as a stentorian interlocutor in every sense of the word, a person with a lot of virtues, which you must definitely tell in a personal meeting, thereby “cementing forever” the pleasant impression of telephone communication.
Draw conclusions optimistically
Barrier… Thinking ahead or “keeping in mind” possible failure, we thereby program the interview to fail. Do not feed evil fate with despondency! Be aware: manner, intonation, tonality are not the root cause of a possibly undeveloped relationship. Yet these factors can have an indirect impact on the outcome of "unemployment".
Bounce! After each conversation with the personnel officer, it is worth remembering not only the essence, but also the details of the conversation, and analyzing the mistakes. Believe me, this is a necessary experience that will be useful not only for “fraudulent” employers.
In most cases, the recruiter calls to clarify some questions about your professional experience, to clarify your interest in the vacancy. He can discuss another vacancy with you, but almost always the main goal of a recruiter's call is to get a first impression, and already in the course of the conversation, decide to continue to get to know you or say that "you are not suitable for us." There are several rules so that the relationship that began with the employer does not end with a phone call.
While you are actively searching, always be prepared for what may call you. potential employer. The call should not throw you into confusion, even if no one has called you about work for a long time. Don't let joy keep you from being in control of the situation and your emotions. While you are looking for a job, never relax.
If you received a call from an unfamiliar number, assess the situation, how favorable the conditions are for an important conversation. If you are not sure, it is better not to receive calls from unidentified callers.
Prepare for a situation where you won't be able to answer the phone. Set up an answering machine to let you know when you will be free. Or prepare an SMS template in which you inform that you are currently busy and will be ready for contact at a certain time; send as soon as you hang up the call. Such feedback the recruiter will appreciate it highly, and most importantly, you will remain in his memory (most likely, he will call others, and more worthy candidates may appear).
The recruiter notes:
You have prepared in advance, i.e. you plan your time, and take into account various factors;
You are active, and you are not waiting for a call in languor, looking at your device, because you have something to do;
You are in demand, they call you and, possibly, offer you a job.
In addition, the recruiter will be humanly grateful to you for saving his time (believe me, he spends a lot of time dialing candidates).
Your response to a phone call should sound cheerful and friendly. Make sure that your speech is clear and literate, the answers and questions are clear. Don't mumble. Be sure to practice with friends. Find out what impression they have of you when you answer the phone. Work on it.
When a telephone conversation with a company representative begins, make it possible for you to have paper and a pen handy. Record everything. Try to immediately remember the name of your interlocutor. If you can't figure out how the person introduced himself, be sure to ask again. And then call by name. If for some reason a person does not introduce himself, be sure to ask yourself.
You may be asked some clarifying questions regarding your professional experience. We need to find the most concise and unambiguous answers. Do not indulge in explanations unless you are specifically asked to.
Ask for the name of the company the person represents, specific job title, and basic requirements. If the company is not named, it is very strange. Evasive answers will indicate to you that this is not the right company if you have not previously been interested in working in network companies or other dubious offers to make money.
You can ask your questions. It is better to limit yourself to one or two fundamental questions that may influence your decision to continue to get to know the company further or not to spend your time on it. Don't waste yours or anyone else's time.
After talking on the phone, immediately write down everything you heard in detail. Check company information online as soon as possible. Prepare for a meeting with the employer.
How to please on the phone
Very often, acquaintance with an employer begins with a telephone conversation, which can end with an invitation to, and. The reaction of the recruiter in this case depends not so much on what the candidate says, but on how he does it. The ability to make a good impression on the phone is not only necessary for the first conversation: it is often a must. How do you need to communicate on the phone so that the conversation continues?
Principle 1. Remember the First Impression Effect
The first impression can only be made once. Keep this in mind and do not rush to the phone as soon as you see. Focus and work on your emotions. You should not go to extremes, for example, show great joy - "finally we found each other." Or, on the contrary, be overly pessimistic - "now". When two people talk on the phone, each of them draws a portrait of the interlocutor, and the image appears within the first thirty seconds. Work on your own, ask yourself how you want to appear in the eyes of the employer. Psychologists say that of the two components of a conversation - semantic and emotional - in a telephone conversation, emotions determine about 90% of the result.
What role can it play ?
Principle 2. Calmness, only calmness!
It is very important to be calm during the conversation. The professional will feel your fears and insecurities before you. In order to calm the excitement, psychologists advise using the following technique. Imagine that you have already been answered by the most, and think about what the consequences will be for you. After you mentally come to terms with this small failure, it will become easier for you to carry on a conversation. Psychologists also recommend talking on the phone while standing - this simple trick helps you feel much more confident.
Calmness will be useful to you if you get on .
Principle 3. The power of timbre
Your voice should be clear and firm. Pay attention to the timbre - it can and should be corrected. The fact is that a lower voice timbre enhances the impression of confidence, and an increased one often accompanies irritation and anxiety. A low timbre, moreover, is considered more attractive, and can play a positive role if there is a person of the opposite sex on the other end of the wire. It is also worth paying attention to the diction, tempo and articulation of your speech: they allow you to make a preliminary impression of your origin and. Clear pronunciation and a calm pace of speech indicate internal discipline and self-control.
The manner of speaking is one of the components of your .
Principle 4. Do you have a plan?
Plan the conversation before you call. No need to expect that you will only answer questions - analyze what interests you and be ready. Pay attention to the fact that the questions are not too simple or too complex, otherwise you may seem not very smart or you may confuse the interlocutor and blur all the favorable impression.
“Before the first conversation, it is important to prepare for the discussion of the vacancy,” says Consultant for the search and selection of personnel of the holding "Empire Personnel" Boris Zhguchev. - What should be done:
- Analyze the vacancy in open sources: understand the main criteria for selecting applicants (for example, for this it may be knowledge of the market in which the company operates and the experience of "cold sales", and for the project manager - the number completed projects and their complexity).
- Understand the position of the company in the market and formulate the reasons why you are interested in this company (for example, “I have been using your products for a long time, so I am confident in the quality of yours” or “I have been following your company for a long time and consider it one of the leaders in this market”, “I want work for an industry leader” or “from information in open sources I found out that you have an excellent system of employees - I really liked it”, etc.).
- Structure yours and correlate them with the main selection criteria. For example, “I have two years of experience in sales of equipment in the related market” or “During my work, I have successfully completed about 7 major construction projects in this industry.”
“If you have already seen this on one of the job sites before calling the employer, you have time to prepare for a phone interview in advance,” comments Nadezhda Lyakhovskaya, Head of PR at AVANTA Personnel. - Make a rough list of questions for this vacancy, so as not to forget to ask them to the interlocutor during a telephone interview.
If the employer himself called you, then, as a rule, after a few clarifying questions to you, he himself talks about the vacancy, and then invites you to ask your questions. If you have such an opportunity, try to write down the main thing that the interlocutor says. This will make it easier for you to remember what points you have questions about.
It is useful to have in your diary a pre-compiled list of so-called. It is applicable to any interview and helps to fill in all the gaps during the conversation.
“Be sure to clearly articulate the reasons for leaving or the desire in which the applicant works, and not answer this question with general phrases, such as:“ This is a very long story - let's discuss it in person when we meet. Formulate your main wishes for the future employer, and you should not start with wages. You need to list only the most important factors for you, which will be decisive when choosing a job. You should not build a conversation in the style: “First you tell me what kind of vacancy you have, and then I will think about whether to answer your questions.” You definitely won’t make a good impression this way, ”says Anna Sus, Senior Consultant at Contact Agency.
At the same time, make a list of questions for and !
Principle 5. Professional suitability
Nota bene!
- If you call first, be sure to say hello, introduce yourself, and ask if the recruiter is comfortable talking.
- Remember that now your speech is the main way to impress. Accurately put stress in words and correctly build sentences.
- Your answers to the recruiter’s questions should be concise and concise: you don’t need to talk at length, but you shouldn’t answer in monosyllables either.
- Don't Forget the Rules telephone etiquette: the one who called is the first to say goodbye.
- In order to understand during a telephone conversation whether a vacancy suits you or not, determine the decisive factors for yourself. It is about them that you ask the recruiter in the first place.
Zoya Lopatina, Ksenia Gerasimova