Contacting Employers | Origin: CS106
This is a general discussion forum for the following learning topic:
Becoming an Effective Job Developer --> Contacting Employers
Post what you've learned about this topic and how you intend to apply it. Feel free to post questions and comments too.
My takeaway was a better job of taking the case notes and diving deeper with open ended questions for a job order.
Documenting employer contact is something that I realize I need to work on. Not only will it help me remember important information, it will also help with being more organized. I like the idea of having a form to complete and adding notes about each contact. I also found the techniques to deal with objections helpful. This is not something I've been particularly good at, so these strategies help provide some guidelines to follow.
This module gave me some pointers on how to develop more of a connection with employers when cold calling. It is important to reframe and redirect when there are concerns and know when to persist for more versus when to give the employer time to consider.
I learned to reframe objections as needs that you can help meet. So if an employer says we aren't hiring, I can follow up by asking for more information and identifying a different need such as "yes, I know many businesses are fully staffed or even needing to let people go right now. When business next ramps up, do you already have a plan for how you will scale up quickly to meet the moment?"
I enjoyed reading about useful strategies for responding to employers when they are not interested in the services being offered. Clarifying what is and is not helpful to them, asking questions, directing them toward things we can help with, and highlighting the value of these services all seem like excellent techniques when engaging with employers.
I learned when it's best to leave a message when calling a business. I've always just left a voicemail no matter what when trying to connect with an employer/business, but after reading through the reasons to leave one and not to leave one. I have a better understanding on times when leaving a voicemail might not be the best course of action.
I've learned that contacting employers is not just about making phone calls but about making impactful long-term partnerships. Asking open-ended questions, listening closely, and handling objections respectfully can uncover real needs within the employer. I plan to apply to this by focusing on both quantity and quality of phone calls, documenting interactions, and tailoring the approach to better connect employers with students/ graduates.
AS someone who doesn't keep diligent notes on each phone call that I make I can see the value in keeping a detailed log of all interactions so you're not rehashing the same points.
Take advantage of hot interactions when doing a call, leaving a message, and documenting information from calls to employers. The best way to leave a message is to keep it concise. Recognize the tone of voice of the employer when talking to them to learn more about them. Learn about the previous candidates who applied.
This has assisted me in realizing to invest more time in creating those relationships with employers. Very helpful!
I Learned when to leave a voicemail. I learned the probing questions to get more information from the perspective employer. Take plenty of notes on each call.
I learned that there is more than one approach when contacting employers, that leaving a voicemail may lead to a dead lead if not carefully thought out. Another thing I learned is that, there are many different signs that if properly identified can lead to the implementation of more strategic forms of communication. Being able to identify the difference between an uninterested employer and a busy employer for example.
When contacting employers, the career advisor must be aware of their timing, adjust to employers attitude for the day, and how to remain flexible when calling and speaking to a variety of different people. Depending on the cold, warm, or hot call, it is important that the advisor take notes for any future calls.
In contacting employers, it is recommended that you invest time, build a relationship with the employer so that you have the opportunity to talk with them and share information and discover their needs, preferences, interests and specifics in choosing to work with you. Do your best to create a custom approach to each employer.
- In this module, it gives me the tools of the trade, how to prospect, make cold calls and making contact, how to deal with objection and the common objections you may have to overcome and how many cold calls are needed. Also, messaging, when and how to leave a message and what message should be left on a voicemail and how important it is to document your employer contacts and job orders.
I've learned that developing relationships with potential employers that you will hopefully be collaborating with in the near future and documenting all calls, is extremely important. I've learned at previous jobs, if it's not documented, it didn't happen.
I learned that active listening is one key element to speaking with potential hiring partners.
This module stressed the importance of not approaching every employer with the same, rigid script. In order to address different needs for different references, one needs to engage in a dialogue.
I learned it is importnat to really build a dialouge. There isn't a megic number to hit with contacting employers but building quality relationships and really listening.
