Handout: Cold Calls

Why make Cold Calls?

• You can contact many prospective employers in a very short period of time.
• 80% of all available jobs are not advertised.
• You can inform a potential employer of your skills.
• A cold call presents an opportunity to request an interview.
• Cold calls allow you to personally introduce yourself to an employer before sending a resume.
• Even if an employer is not hiring they may be able to refer you to a company that is.

How do I begin to make Cold Calls?

• Decide what type of job you are interested in obtaining
• Decide what type of companies would be looking for this type of position.
• Use the White Pages and Yellow Pages to locate the name and phone number of these companies.
• Create and practice a script you will use when phoning about a job.
• Call each of these companies to find out from the receptionist the name and title of the person in charge of hiring.
• Record the name of the company, the address, phone number and the person responsible for hiring in your Job Search Information Sheet.
• Send a cover letter and resume as a follow-up.

Remember...

• Practice your script (Call less important companies first for practice)
• The best time to reach a supervisor is early in the day before meetings and general business have started
• You may try leaving a message before 8:00 A.M. or at lunch of after business hours.
• Try to speak directly to the person hiring.
• If a person is asking questions about your skills, they are interested in you.
• Listen carefully to what the other person is saying and listen to what your are saying.
• Practice your cold call script with your tutor, a friend or relative.