Tips for a Professional Phone Call

Yesterday, I was at the gym sweating it out to Beyoncé’s ‘Drunk in Love’ when my music was suddenly cut off by a phone call. I vaguely recognized the ten numbers that popped up on my screen and had a sneaking suspicion that it was not another telemarketing call, but rather a follow-up call from a phone interview I had the previous week.

As I watched my heart rate on the elliptical monitor rise from anxiety I began to wonder, should I answer it? What if it’s urgent? I was a second away from pressing the answer button before I realized I should not answer it. This was not the best scenario for me to sound professional or be properly prepared. I told myself, “Let it go to voicemail and call them back later.”

It’s later now and I am about to call them back. I figured this was the perfect opportunity to outline some tips for a professional phone call. Whether or not it is a phone interview you should always come across as professional, poised, and calm in any business related phone call.

Networking: Conversation with Michael Thomas, Recruiter

Networking can often be a scary thought. Where do you start? How do you become good at it? Mike Thomas is a Recruiter for Razorfish Healthware, a healthcare advertising agency. With his years of experience in sales and recruitment, Mike has become a networking connoisseur. I spoke with Mike about his background, how he landed his most recent gig, and his thoughts on the importance of networking.

Ali: Hi Mike! I really appreciate you taking the time to talk with me today.

Mike: Sure thing!

A: Let me start off by asking a bit about your background and how you ended up working at Razorfish Healthware.

LinkedIn: Today’s Number One Networking Site

LinkedIn has become the 11^th most visited website in the entire world. One of the best ways to improve your chances of finding a job in today’s market is to increase your presence on LinkedIn. To learn more, I spoke with Dan Barrett, Senior Recruiter at Publicis Healthcare Communications Group. Barrett began his career in Telecommunications before he started working in recruitment. I talked with Dan about how LinkedIn has influenced the world of recruitment. With his assistance, I have complied a list of things you can do to help improve your presence on LinkedIn.

1. Create a Profile

This goes without saying. Barrett began by saying, LinkedIn is “a phenomenal tool for not only connecting with industry professionals, but also for staying abreast on industry trends and news.”

2. Complete Your Profile

Make sure no stone goes unturned (or however that saying goes). The point is, make sure you fill it out to its fullest extent. This includes a professional looking photo, a personal summary, and all your experience. Barrett also suggests adding your relevant skills under the ‘Skills and Endorsements’ section. When you’re writing these sections, make sure to include what industry professionals like to call ‘buzzwords’. These are words relevant to the field you hope to work in. According to Barrett, recruiters use LinkedIn nearly every day. Recruiters appreciate all the information you provide because it can really help when they are looking for someone with a specific background.

Write a Great Cover Letter

In my previous post, I wrote about the usefulness of your school’s career services department. I decided to pay a visit to the office at my university to speak with a career coordinator. I came to talk about the thing everyone dreads when applying for jobs: cover letters.

I met with Megan Rooney, a Career Coordinator at my university. Rooney was trained as a social worker but found her passion working with students. She has been working in student development for the past three years. I started off by asking Rooney how important she felt a cover letter is to the job application. She responded, “If requested, it is very important. The company is not asking for additional materials for no reason. I see a cover letter as a bridge between your resume and the job description. It explains why you are the best fit and why you should be invited for an interview.”

TED Talks: Powerful Speeches to Inspire Your Career

I have a confession to make. I am slightly obsessed with TED Talks; and by slightly, I mean incredibly obsessed. I’ve watched hundreds of TED Talks over the past few years. They can be funny, brutally honest, good, and even bad. I found that 99 percent of them have some kind of impact on how I view the world. I guarantee you that you can find a TED Talk on just about any topic. That’s what brought me to the idea of compiling a few great talks which revolve around career, life, and the future. I have watched all of these and feel as though they are excellent motivators to help you succeed in the world!

To inspire you to find your passion: Larry Smith – WhyYou Will Fail to Have a Great Career

Lots of times we hold ourselves back from accomplishing our goals. Maybe it’s out of fear or something else, but often we find excuses that prevent us from having a great career. Larry Smith, a professor of economics at the University of Waterloo presented a TED Talk on why you will fail to have a great career, unless. Watch and find out why!

Career Fair 101

Recently, I attended a career fair at my university. As much as I wanted to feel confident going into it, I could not help but feel a little nervous. What if I forgot something or said something wrong? To help myself feel a bit less nervous and to hopefully help you, I came up with a list of things that I feel are important to remember before going to a career fair or networking event.

1. Bring Resumes! 

It goes without saying that resumes are a crucial part in landing a job. A lot has changed in the job market over the past few decades, but one thing has remained the same – resumes are always required. Don’t bring just one resume or even a couple, bring several. Depending on the size of the event that you’re attending usually 15 to 20 is a good starting point. 

Welcome!

Hi! Welcome to my professional blog! My name is Ali and I am currently a senior at Drexel University. I am managing this blog as a part of my senior project to explore my passion for all things career related. Several of my posts will focus on things that can help you establish your own career. Every now and then I will post about my own personal experiences of searching for a full-time job. In addition, I will feature some industry professionals who can offer helpful tips. I’m really excited about posting my thoughts and ideas and hearing back from you!