Going in person and cold calling to inquire about job openings and meet potential employers can be intimidating. At this stage, you may simply be dropping off a resume, but this is the bare minimum amount of face time you need to get.
Ideally, when you show up at the company, you’ll meet the hiring official, deliver your elevator pitch, and leave your resume with them. If appropriate, don’t hesitate to ask for an informational interview.
Face-to-face cold-calling interview appointments will allow you to get a leg up on the competition. This excellent job search tactic will enable you to go beyond online applications and speak to employers face-to-face. By arming yourself with cold-calling scripts of what to say to the hiring authority, you will be appropriately prepared to reach out to employers in these meetings.
Dress the Part
Make sure to dress appropriately when going to meet employers. Wear professional attire: clean, pressed clothing, and practice good hygiene. Remember to smile and make lots of eye contact when speaking; it will do wonders for your appearance, make you appear confident and self-assured, and make the employer feel comfortable with you.
Check Your Attitude
Maintaining a professional attitude even as you leave your house will not only help prevent any potentially embarrassing moments before you begin your interview but also keep you in an excellent frame of mind.
When you arrive, you may be asked to wait a little while before meeting with the employer. Keep calm, and review your cold call script again to ensure you know what you will say.
If there are books or pamphlets about the company in the waiting room, check them out. You’ll be enthusiastic and interested, and they may give you additional background information to discuss. Don’t waste time listening to music or catching up on emails and texts.
Do Your Background Research
Know who you will see and ask for them by name when you enter the front office. Making a good impression while waiting is as important as meeting with the employer.
The opinions of secretaries, receptionists, and other employees often influence an employer’s decision. A favorable or unfavorable comment by them can be a critical factor in helping the employer decide whether you are suitable for the job. So, be friendly, polite, and courteous from walking in the door until leaving.
Give a Firm Handshake
When introducing yourself to employers, shake their hands firmly, not too lightly or hard. Come to the meeting prepared with a pen and paper, as you may need to fill out application forms and write down names with the correct spelling. Don’t forget the name of the hiring manager!
Use Cold Call Scripts
When you meet a potential employer face-to-face, you must make a stable first impression and show you would be a valuable addition to their organization.
Before you speak to the decision-maker or hiring manager, you must talk with a receptionist or front desk personnel who will decide whether you get to meet with the contact. The receptionist will ensure that the next contact meets with relevant people so time is not wasted.
Demonstrate confidence and competence when meeting with the front-end staff by being prepared. Ensure you are friendly and polite to make an excellent first impression.
- Cold Calling Script for Front-End Contacts: A suggested cold calling script for reaching out to front-end contacts could go as follows: “Good morning. My name is [insert your name]. May I speak with [insert contact’s name]?” Clearly state the reason for your call: “I’m calling to follow up on an email I sent or a previous phone call.” Ensure you have contacted them via phone or email before making this statement, regardless of whether you spoke with them previously.
- Face-to-Face Cold Call Script for Employers: When meeting with an employer, a suitable cold calling script might be: “Hello, it’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is [insert your name], and I appreciate your time today. I have completed my degree in [insert degree], and I possess experience in [insert experience] and [insert experience], areas that align with your company’s expertise. Are there any current job openings within your organization?”
If the answer is no, respond with: “May I forward my resume to you for consideration should any opportunities arise in the future?”
If the answer is still no, respond with: “Would it be possible for me to send you my resume for feedback and guidance?”
- Effectively Handling Objections: Record objections you encounter and learn practical strategies to address them. For instance, if someone says, “I’m too busy to talk,” you can reply, “It will only take a few minutes.”With experience, you’ll develop responses to various objections, gradually increasing your confidence in handling any situation.
Arrange a Follow-Up Appointment
Before departing, establish a specific timeframe for your next conversation. This will prevent you from leaving the office uncertain about when you’ll reconnect. If the employer doesn’t specify a time to follow up regarding potential opportunities, take the lead and propose that you call within the next few weeks to check in.
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