On an average I receive about 30-35 applications seeking for a job opportunity. Over these years, I have noticed that the Email/ Messaging/ Telephone manners have not only withered on the vine, they’ve gone the way of the dinosaur. It is shocking to see these candidates begin their sentences with “Hola” or “Hi” as if they are casually swinging by a friend. My response to them ends in a single sentence- “I am your Potential Employer, Not your Friend!” A decent amount of the applicants did not know how to begin a conversation or end one.
Or, if they get past “hello” they are dolefully clodhopping at gathering their thoughts and delivering what they want to say. Email and Phone conversations have become the closest thing to speaking in person. Yet, the instant messaging age seems to have mushroomed a thick layer of communication skills in a lot of individuals. Speaking through a screen has left little to no communication barriers and boundaries.
These same set of people would probably learn to frame their sentences well had they been speaking in person and being looked at in the eye. Yes! You are getting the privilege of putting across your candidature without having to get off your butt. Does that mean we blur the lines between personal and professional conversations?
Emoticons are used mindlessly everywhere, turning an entire generation of youth into humanoids. Too many slang terms and shortcuts— my personal sore point, as few know how to spell or construct a sentence anymore. The teaching of telephone or any other conversation etiquette is the foundation that needs to be nothing but clear and strong since a very young age. It is the window through which you will approach the world.
Even as an 18 year old employee, I remember how holding a phone or sending a mail wouldn’t have been done without knowing how to use those mediums aptly. Slipping in a mail or a casual word in a sentence mindlessly was never allowed as an excuse. I remember learning and making conversation etiquette an important part of my growing up years. A professional phone voice was needed back in the day and is still needed. A future depended on it, and as much as it has been forgotten by many, it still does.
Professional Phone calls and Mails are not even taken as seriously or distinctly by a shocking number of the youth. A phone is a gadget, a screen which is conveniently used to brush off a lot that would otherwise be taken seriously.
My Dear Applicants, proper phone etiquette is imperative! There is no way around it and there will never be a way around it. Knowing what to speak, when to speak and how to speak is a major part of your Foundation years. Below are some pointers that I would like to mention:
First things first. Whenever you are dropping in a professional text, mail, LinkedIn message or anything under the sun, start by saying ‘hello.’ Not ‘heh’ or ‘hola’ or ‘yo’ or even nothing. Even if you are responding to such calls and messages say ‘hello.’ Not ‘ya’ or ‘whassup’ or ‘yo mama.’
Stop trying to initiate small talk. This is LinkedIn, not Facebook. If you need something, keep the greetings brief and come to the point. If you are calling/ messaging/ mailing or even writing to someone, especially someone who you look forward to working with, start by introducing yourself and expressing the intention of calling in a short and a clear manner. Never assume.
Human beings are many wonderful things, but so far they are not mind readers. I can’t tell who you are or what you want unless you tell me. Do not forget to ask a person if they can allow you some of their time before you pile them up with information. Respecting ‘TIME AND BOUNDARIES’ is manners. Before you start calling or messaging on a professional front, Get to the point!
Get your thoughts together before you mail them or dial the number. If it’s helpful, have a pen and a paper ready to take notes. Be concise. Do not forward your applications to people on a messenger app. Start your conversation by asking for their time, introducing yourself, giving a short explanation of what you are looking for and would they be ok if you forward your application to them.
Keep 'Emailing' the preferred mode of sending your applications. Do not spam people’s LinkedIn Messages with your applications directly. It is the worst conversation starter and you could have lost you game in the first message itself. Please remember to 'Thank' people for the time that they are giving you right when you drop in your messages.
If you are messaging people from cross- borders, please keep an eye on the time zone! You cannot be dropping in a professional message to someone at midnight. Lastly, How you present yourself is not just about dressing up well! Your communications are the window through which the world will see you. Better keep it clear and smooth. Your communication will determine much more than a piece of paper that you present in the form of an application.
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