Telephone Etiquette and the Job Search

Post by guest blogger Kathy Bradshaw, SPHR.

The old adage "you never get a second chance to make a first impression" holds true for both telephone conversations and face-to-face meetings.  Recently my HR colleague recalled a conversation she had with a job candidate.  She called an applicant to schedule an in-person interview, got voice mail, so she left a brief message asking for the applicant to return her call.  The applicant did return the call, and opened the conversation with "Somebody there call me?".  Yes, the person really initiated a conversation with an employment recruiter using those words, and in a confused tone of voice.  When my colleague asked the person if he had listened to the voice mail message, she was told "No, I didn't."  

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4 Steps to Help Avoid Triangulation

Chances are you are triangulated by your staff on a daily basis, and you do not even realize it.  What is triangulation and how does it work?  Here is an example:  One of your direct reports (A) comes to you (B) and vents or complains about another individual on the team (C).  They relay in detail an event that took place, how they feel about it, and that they would like it taken care of.  What your direct report (A) wants is for YOU (B) to take care of it by addressing the situation with the other team member (C).   You want to be a good manager so you take the bait and address the issue with the other team member (C).  Does this scenario sound familiar?

Here's the catch:  By taking the bait and addressing the situation, you have let your direct report off the hook for handling their issue, AND allowed your direct report to assign that task to you.  That is triangulation and how it works.  How can you stop being triangulated by your staff?  By using these situations as coaching opportunities, and incorporating the following four steps:

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7 Key Points To Cover When Requesting to Work From Home

You are faced with a management dilemma.  Your staff have requested they be allowed to work from home.   While you recognize the benefits of working from home, you are not sure how to propose it to your senior management.  You are concerned that your Director or Vice President may not readily embrace this concept, and think that while people may say they are working from home, they are really just goofing off.  Of course, the company does not want to knowingly pay people to goof off. The key to getting your senior management to approve telecommuting is to recognize and address their concerns.  

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Can Facebook Negatively Impact Your Job Search?

The short answer is 'Yes'.  Whether you are meeting someone as a networking contact, or for an interview, chances are you will check them out on LinkedIn first.  Why?  To see what you can learn about them.  Which contacts you have in common.  Where they went to school.  Which professional associations they joined.  Past employers.  All really good information to help you decide if this will be a good employer or networking connection.  However, you will be the subject of the same type of research.  If you are planning to change jobs, be aware that recruiters and hiring managers will check your LinkedIn profile.  Many will actually take it a step further and check Facebook.  Yes, Facebook.

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