# Applying for a job by phone

## Applying by phone

There are many ways of finding a job. One is to use the hidden job market – jobs that are never advertised and are given to family, friends, contacts and people who take the initiative to contact employers before a vacancy occurs. You can contact employers (.pptx 83kB) by writing to them, or visiting or calling them.

Phoning employers to access the hidden job market

Before calling an employer, explore Phoning employers (.pptx 78kB) and then prepare for the phone call and practise to hone your skills. Ask a classmate to play the role of the company representative who answers the phone.

Prepare a number of scenarios. Company representatives may seem:

- helpful

- noncommittal

- pressed for time or not interested in you.

Think about how you would ‘sell’ yourself to each of these people. When you are ready, act out each of these scenarios and using Audacity, record it on your laptop. Reflect on how effective you were when you play back the recording. Do you think the company would keep your résumé on file as a result of the contact you made with them? Compare your recorded interviews with those of your classmates and note any differences. If necessary, redo any of your answers to make them more effective and then submit your work to your teacher. You could use email, a blog or a USB thumb drive.

Extension - Make a brochure

You are now aware of the skills needed to call an employer. Working in groups of 3 or 4, use Microsoft Word to produce a brochure to inform other students about what they need to know and do. Think about the best way to present your information to engage your audience.

When all the brochures are ready, they can be shared with the class either electronically or in print form.

Use the Intel Visual Ranking Tool to vote on which group’s brochure is the most effective. You can use the online tutorial to help you understand this online tool.