A View from the Other Side
Over a career of 40+ years, I’ve spent the equivalent (if you total it all up) of three years in job search mode seeking a professional position. The shortest duration between positions was one month, and the longest was my most recent “sabbatical,” which lasted about eighteen months.
During the three years of collective job search over these forty years, I think it’s fair to say that I’ve seen job search change – A LOT. But, that’s not a surprise to anyone. New technologies, disposable workers, off-shore outsourcing, and sacred-cow established companies extinguished seemingly overnight all contribute to changes for you and me. As much as we acknowledge that hiring is different, it’s really the same as it was forty years ago:
- A company has an opening they need to fill.
- A candidate (or hundreds of candidates) applies for that opening.
- A company (hiring manager) has to try and find candidates that they believe can be successful not only in doing the job, but are also a good fit for the team/company.
Companies and their hiring practices are mystifying
Assume nothing. As much as you, the candidate, want to present yourself professionally through your resume or LinkedIn profile, the hiring company also wants to present themselves in the best light possible. Look at any professional help-wanted ad/job description. As candidates, we want to believe that every time we share our qualifications with a company that IT will be the one. The one to provide challenging and rewarding work, a future (including promotional opportunities) for the next ten years, an exciting work environment, and colleagues that are engaged and excited by the company’s mission. Well, it’s time to transport yourself back to reality. I’ve seen ads placed for some basic positions, and I’ve also seen plenty of resumes submitted. What I haven’t seen is an efficient system for processing these resumes, contacting the candidates, or even providing rejection notes. Certainly, it’s not like that everywhere (Thank goodness!), but it does underscore the need to have greater insight into the company that you are applying to – to assess if the company is even worthy of you.
Calling into the company still works
I currently work as a Customer Success Manager for a third-party logistics (3PL) fulfillment company. Part of my job is to answer the phone for our small company located in Lakewood, NJ. We have placed ads – mostly on Indeed for a couple of different positions (pickers and packers, an Operations Director, and a Sales Rep, to name a few) – since I joined the company in July of 2024. I haven’t been in a position to hire, but I am in a position to answer the phone.
Meet your call screener
Who is keeping you from speaking with the hiring manager? It could be anyone, but before we go there, it might help to understand what the company’s phone system situation is like. Why is that important? Well, if you’re thinking in pre-COVID terms, the company might have a phone system, and from that system you might be able to get in touch with a human being. Often it would be someone assigned to answer phones. However, in a post- COVID world, all bets are off. In our company, we use Zoom. There is no “switchboard.” When you call, I’ll answer. I might be sitting at my desk, out for a walk, or driving my car.
What should you say if you do call in?
This is really important. If someone answers, they have one objective: handle your call and get rid of you as quickly as possible so they can get back to their very important work (dose of sarcasm added intentionally). What you, the caller, says matters. Your attitude matters, and if you want the person answering the phone to help you, it will be important to get them on your side and try to help you. Time for a few dos and don’ts:
Do:
- Speak clearly.
- Get to the point of what you’re looking for, and being nice helps. The person answering the phone may not have any hiring authority, but they can be an influencer in the process.
- Have reasonable expectations: you have no idea how messed up a company is. Attractive job postings don’t always equal well-put together companies.
- Practice and know what you’re going to say (or at least have a general clue).
- Be impressed that you’re one of the few that will call in. That sets you apart from others. Most of us (myself included) are willing to fire off resume after resume to job posting after job posting. It’s still not as effective as finding someone in the company that will help you.
Don’t:
- Apologize for calling in and trying to find someone to talk to. You are doing what you need to do, and a certain moxie is valued by a call screener.
- Rush to end the call. If someone is willing to engage and help you out, take advantage of it.
- Expect that you’re going to get much help, as not everyone answering the phone is sympathetic to your situation.
Let’s land this plane – the final approach
As someone that’s spent plenty of time (three years’ worth!) as a job seeker, I’m sympathetic to people that call into the company. It shows interest, and that’s impressive to me. Tenacity will serve you well, as will presenting yourself as someone who can be the solution the hiring manager is looking for.
Good luck!
David Shultis
About David Shultis
I currently work as a Customer Success Manager for a small 3PL (third party logistics) fulfillment company (www.gofetchfulfillment.com) in Lakewood, NJ. This follows roles in marketing, product management, operations and customer service spanning a few (dozen) years. You can find me biking in and around New Jersey, occasionally writing about whatever’s on my mind, enjoying both of my kids’ outdoor adventures (Instagram @natalieunderwater and @bdshultis), and sharing our empty nest with my wife, Denise.
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