Communication is an important part of our daily lives. In fact, communication can make or break your job search. The following tips can help you enhance your ability to communicate effectively, thus improving the chances of succeeding in your job search.
Be Considerate
Everyone has his own preferences and likes to do things his own way. When you apply for a job, however, it is best to follow the instructions in the job posting. There is a reason why the posting says to e-mail your resume. If it isn’t clearly indicated, it would be safe to start with a call to confirm how you should proceed.
Calling Effectively
You may not like speaking over the phone or it might make you feel anxious, but if this is how the interviewer wants you to contact him, then you need to follow his instructions.
When calling, remember to speak in a loud, clear voice. Give consideration to the other person and ask if you are calling at a good time; if not, ask to for a better time to call. Once you secure a time, call ahead before the scheduled time to confirm.
If no one is available to speak to you and you must leave a voicemail, state your name and contact information, preferably at the beginning and end.
Using E-mail
Many people prefer to use e-mail nowadays, most notably because of how quickly you can send and receive messages. However, due to the prevalence of the technology, it has also opened the door for spammers. When e-mailing for a job application, make your identity and intentions clear in the subject line and body of the message. People are busy and receive large amounts of e-mail every day, and they might not necessarily know or remember who you are or why you’re contacting them.
It’s easy to be too familiar when using an e-mail, so maintain a professional tone in your message and avoid giving unnecessary information. When including a signature, organize the links properly to help the employer know where to find more information about you.
When sending a resume through e-mail, there are two ways you can do this: by directly putting your resume in the body of your e-mail, or by attaching a pdf or word processing file. Keep in mind, however, that some e-mail providers flag e-mails with attachments.
Avoiding Bad habits
If you can, ask for a friend’s help in identifying bad habits that may prevent you from getting hired. Even if you think that you don’t have bad habits, it still would not hurt to have someone do a mock call or e-mail with you so that you can keep your bad habits in mind when you get in touch with an employer and avoid engaging in them.
Things to Keep in Mind
No matter what mode of communication you prefer, you need to respect the employer’s preference or instructions. If you can’t follow their instructions while applying for a job, how can you expect them to believe that you will follow their instructions once you get hired?
First impressions are important—don’t let a potential employer’s first impression of you be one of a stubborn person who doesn’t know how to follow instructions.
