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There are two ways to penetrate the hidden job market and arrange an
information interview: via the telephone or via direct letter.
You can use the
telephone to help you get the job you want and set up
the information
interview; many people have some form of phone fright, where they have a fear
of picking up the telephone. Their hands get sweaty.
They begin mumbling their
words.
I teach people to avoid or overcome this problem through practice and
by being prepared. The best way to guard against stumbling over the phone
is to prepare a script or dialogue. And don’t take anything for granted. Include
everything from your name and how you’re going to introduce the particular
call to your background and accomplishments so that you don’t appear
unprofessional.
Also, preparing a script will keep you from omitting or forgetting important
information you want to share with the person so that when you hang up you
don’t say, “
Darn it. Why didn’t I tell him about that accomplishment or my other
accomplishment or my other activities?
”
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Section 11– Effective Communication & Networking