Job Finding Communication

Phones - More than just Angry Birds.

Setup your voicemail

When you setup your voicemail be professional about it. "Hi, you've reached Timmy. Please leave a message and I'll call you back as soon as I can." That's it. That's all you need. Voicemail isn't new. I know you can't answer your phone - that's why I got your voicemail. No need to tell me you are unavailable. Record your simple message in a quiet place, not at the bar on a Friday night. Even the computer voice lady telling me your phone number is better than an unprofessional message. If employers get the old, "Hello (long pause) I can't hear you (long pause) just leave a message" they're going to be unhappy. You want to make employers happy.

Check your voicemail

Sure you can normally check the missed calls. We know that. So if someone leaves a message for you it's probably important. Listen to it - and THEN call them back. Speaking of leaving a message - let's work on that.

Leave a good message

When you call an employer back (because you listened to your voicemail) and they don't answer - leave a good message. They aren't going to look at a missed calls log and start calling people back. Notice we said a GOOD message. So what makes a message good? Tell them your name, be brief, and tell them your phone number as well as the best time to reach you. People don't want to have to look up your number again to call you back. Make it easy on them. You want them to like you.

They're calling back!!

Answer the thing. Nobody likes phone tag. It's annoying and wastes time.
But not so fast. Are you at work? If you are - don't answer it. You don't want to show potential employers that you waste company time by taking personal calls - especially looking for a new job.

Your favorite band is the Beegees?!?!

Get rid of that ringback tone. No I will not enjoy the music while the party is reached. Sure the recruiter may also love the Beegees, but probably not. Normal ringing is just fine.

Resumé - You - on a piece of paper.

Refer to the e-mail hint.

Spell check and read your resumé.

You're not that good looking

And even if you are, your picture does not belong on your resume. You are a restaurant manager - not a model - no matter what your mother says.

So the economy is in the tank

You were laid off and haven't been able to find work. No problem. But be able to explain gaps in employment. Did you take any classes? Read industry publications? Volunteer somewhere? Just don't tell recruiters you spent the last 35 weeks playing Farmville.

Facebook

Just. Make. It. Private. And have a reasonable profile picture.

That's it. Easy. You spent the time to read this, now apply it to your job search.