Setting an Appointment - Telephone Guidelines

When phoning, some career experts recommend that you be as presentable in dress and demeanor as you would be in person. Otherwise, you may place yourself in an awkward position in relation to the person you are calling. There are various schools of thought on this issue. And, depending upon your comfort level of dealing with people over the phone, it is more important to develop a style and strategy type that will work well for you than it is to focus on a cookie cutter approach. Discuss differing styles with us at American Search Partners.

The quoted norm to beginning your phone conversation is to always identify yourself before moving into the scrip. Or, they might urge you to speak in an enthusiastic manner and to keep a script in front of you of what you want to say. Now, if you get thrown off the track by some unexpected question or reaction to your call, it will be relatively easy to recover when you have your thoughts written out. However, you may need just quips, phrases, or bullet point ideas, rather than a script.

The most important thing to remember is to get an appointment; and almost everything is acceptable short of lying or deceit.

The following contains generalized statements regarding the telephone appointment setting approach. American Search Partners can help you with your individual situation.

Normally, an executive will have voice mail but you must be prepared in case an administrative assistant answers the phone. Establish rapport early because the administrative assistant is a facilitator, gatekeeper, and valuable business contact when used within the boundaries of effective gatekeeper communications.

When speaking, be positive, sure of yourself, and determined without seeming arrogant or rude. If you seem hesitant, indecisive or unsure of yourself, you may be put on the defensive and your chances of getting to talk to the person you are calling are minimized. You should expect to get through and to get an appointment or interview.

For business contacts and to learn the rest of this appointment strategy, contact one of our Career Strategy Advisers.

American Search Partners