I’d also like to use the telephone when contacting companies. Could you give me a few tips on what I should bear in mind in general when doing so?

Unlike in face-to-face contact, you cannot see the person you are speaking to during a telephone conversation, which means that auditory cues take on greater significance. You should therefore pay particular attention to the following recommendations during a telephone call:

– After a friendly greeting, always introduce yourself politely by name first.
– Right at the start of the conversation, ask whether the person you’re speaking to has time for a brief chat. If they’re pressed for time or have a busy schedule, it’s best to suggest a specific time for another call or ask when would be a more convenient time to ring back.
– Make a note of the name of the person on the other end of the line and address them by name from time to time.
– Smile during the conversation. The people you’re speaking to can sense this smile in your tone of voice, which will make you more likeable.
– Keep it brief and be precise. Always bear in mind the actual aim of the call: to arrange an appointment for a follow-up face-to-face meeting. To secure an invitation, you must also spark your counterpart’s interest with your brief introduction.

– Project confidence! Ask when the person you’re speaking to has time for an informal chat, rather than asking if you can get an appointment for a job interview (you’re more likely to be turned down if you do that). You might also suggest something yourself, such as dropping off your application documents in person at a time when you’ll be in the area anyway…
– If neither a face-to-face meeting nor the opportunity to leave your application on file is possible, try to use the people you’re speaking to as a source of information (e.g. about other vacancies in this sector).