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Virtual Job Club Day 22: Like to Cold Call?

Today was supposed to be the last day of the virtual job club, but we’re adding one more. This is penultimate.

Our good friend Gretchen Gunn suggested today’s topic of how to cold call without getting the chills. She’s got the scoop to help you in the process. Press play to listen below.

Tell us below about your cold-calling experiences. Do you get tongue-tied or are you great at getting (and keeping) someone on the phone?

BACK TO VIRTUAL JOB CLUB HOME PAGE

Comments

  1. JF

    Can we get the link to yesterday’s call? My phone interview is in 6 hours! And I have a face to face interview tomorrow! Please?

  2. I.M.

    I’ve never cold called for a job since Executive Administrative Assistant jobs usually are not gotten through cold calling.

  3. MB

    Question I have that is somewhat related is what to do when so many jobs say no calls please?

  4. Maureen Reintjes

    Cold calling is not a problem for me but most corporations/organizations frown on job seekers phoning. Smaller companies are about the only place I would cold call as a job seeker.

  5. Maureen Reintjes

    …..Another thought. I have always had lucked phoning on Saturday morning as many time the decision makers in small to medium size companies will be in working when it’s quiet and they many times will pick up the phone if you can figure out a non main number to call.

  6. Lois

    Tory,

    Great but just one thing: the word “penultimate” refers to next to last and so this may mean you will need to extend one additional day — I’m just saying…if you want to be accurate?!

    Lois

    ED NOTE: There’s no “but.” The word use is accurate. The program was supposed to end today, but instead it’s being extended until tomorrow.

  7. Lois

    And my question would be, why am I not afraid to make cold calls for someone else but for me, not so easy??

  8. Gwen

    I just don’t understand how cold calling could be beneficial. It sounds like someone is desperate. But I guess if a lot of people don’t do it, you might luck into a real job opening here and there.

  9. Gwen

    Oh I forgot to ask how long this website will be open to listen to a couple of the talks that I had to miss?

  10. RK

    In trying to establish my own business I have to admit that cold calling is the one area that causes me to shake and quiver. I know I need to get this business going and I know I am good at what I do. I just hate to bother people with an unexpected (and perhaps unwanted?) phone call! I have read that it one is wary of making cold calls it’s because they are making it about themselves, instead of the customer. I agree, but it doesn’t move me any closer to making them! I have a few friends making cold calls for me, but it isn’t really on any consistent kind of basis. Can I start my business online without making cold calls to get clients? If so, how do I market myself to a large (nationwide) audience in the field of educational services? I feel like the needle in the haystack!

  11. je

    I have the same problem as Lois, but to an even bigger extent. I have no problem asking for help of any kind for someone else, but seem to be unable to ask for it for myself. I’m afraid to even call to try for an informational interview and most of the advertised jobs (even through Monster, etc.) are confidential. So I can’t even really figure out who to call or with whom to follow up. Is there a solution to this problem?

  12. Debbie G.

    Hi Gretchen, I’m REALLY looking forward to this call. I agree with all the questions and comments above. Making cold calls is one area where I am totally uncomfortable for lots of the reasons already stated.

    I would love to hear your ideas for: How to integrate effective cold calling into my job search strategy; and What perspective/mental framework do you suggest I use to get past my fears and motivate myself to make calls?

    Thanks, Deb

  13. Mary

    I actually like cold calling. I usually develop a pitch and refine it after the first couple of calls.

    Tory, I am impressed that you still are working with this job club on the eve of MediaMania, which to me sounds like a logistical nightmare! You are awesome!! I am actually going to attend the Chicago Women for Hire event and hopefully can get my morning-challenged person down there for your early morning talk.

    Ladies, if any of you would like to join me in praying for the success of Tory’s MediaMania I will be doing a specific prayer for this at 6pm TODAY Chicago time, and at 7am TOMORROW Chicago time. It’s been a pleasure walking this part of my walk with all of you, be blessed and best wishes on your continued job search/business development!

  14. Tory Johnson

    Why does it sound like a logistical nightmare?

  15. REK

    This whole area of cold calling as part of a job search is unexplored territory for me. Who do you call? How do you get those names and contact information? What do you say? (At a guess, some form of your personal branding speech?) How do you know when to use this technique? Wouldn’t there be times when this approach could actually hurt your chances? Lots of questions! Looking forward to hearing all about this topic at 2.

  16. Debbie G.

    Thanks, Gretchen. I have learned from all your calls during this program and I feel like I have a much stronger tool kit for moving forward. Love the Jack Canfield quote, too. That one is going up on my board! Thanks, Deb

  17. Gretchen Gunn

    Thanks for all these questions. I hope I answered most of them on the call. Please email me if you would like the PowerPoint presentation.

    Mary:

    Love that you enjoy cold calls. You are absolutely right. They become more authentically your the more you do them. Practice does make perfect.

    To those of you who said that calling to support someone else was easier than calling for yourself let me share a quick story. Eric Greitens, Navy Seal and Humanitarian who wrote the book, The Heart and the Fist talks about this. When he was in the middle of the final five day physical test to become a seal, the only time he thought he would fail was when he was alone o e night

  18. Gretchen Gunn

    Thanks for all these questions. I hope I answered most of them on the call. Please email me if you would like the PowerPoint presentation.

    Mary:

    Love that you enjoy cold calls. You are absolutely right. They become more authentically your the more you do them. Practice does make perfect.

    To those of you who said that calling to support someone else was easier.
    than calling for yourself let me share a quick story. Eric Greitens, Navy Seal and Humanitarian who wrote the book, The Heart and the Fist talks about this. When he was in the middle of the final five day physical test to become a seal, the only time he thought he would fail was when he was alone one night. Until then his focus had been making sure the men on his team made it. My point? It is natural to be able to help others before ourselves. And there are times that the only way we can help others is by helping ourselves first. So when you are making calls why are you doing it? To gain employment. Who needs your financial support? Family? Community? Focus on them and tell yourself you are calling for them

  19. Mary

    Gretchen,
    Thank you for all the wonderful pointers. I just listened to the recording and loved your suggestions for creative ways to get past the gatekeepers.

    Tory,
    To a person who’s comfortably lived most of her life in the nineteenth century, any event involving large numbers of people traveling from multiple locations, communications/recording equipment, hotels, multiple vendors, etc., over a two day period is a logistical nightmare! Seriously, I am sure your staff is much more adept at handling all of the above than the events that are put on by national organizations who mostly rely on volunteers to put together the conferences, yet I still feel it’s a large amount of work for any one and again commend all of you for still doing other things at the same time. My best to you!

  20. Alison

    No, I’m not good at cold calling. It scares me and I end up talking too fast. I’m good at writing up what to say beforehand, but have been working on my delivery. Sometimes people say things and throw me off my game. However, it is nerve racking talking to people especially when most of time you are leaving a message for someone. Who knows if they will deliver it, write it down or whatever? I am and need to work on this.

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