Customer Reviews

High Impact Telephone Networking for Job Hunters

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A nifty book about an aspect of networking that many people fear to the point of phobia. Though aimed at job-hunters, the techniques Armstrong describes transfer well to marketing freelance or consulting services.

Offers important advice on establishing chemistry; focusing your efforts; scripting (yes, it *is* okay--often even preferable--to write out the gist of what you want to say in advance); getting the conversation started; dealing with challenges (e.g., "We don't have any job openings right now") by planning effective answers; asking for a meeting; projecting a positive telephone image; getting to the right person; coping with "telephone runaround"; and what to do if you're making lots of calls but not getting any meetings (which Armstrong distinguishes, importantly, from interviews). One chapter, "When You Just Don't Feel Like Making the Calls," makes a particularly handy support for those nearly inevitable down days. Another deals deftly with nine classic pitfalls that can "hang up" phone-networking novices and cause needless anxiety.

Highly recommended.

High Impact Telephone Networking for Job Hunters is not a very thick book, and can be completed over the weekend. Howard Armstrong cautions against several pitfalls that I had previously overlooked. Scripting and informational interview techniques are also discussed. Regardless of what techniques one chooses to apply, persistence is one of the most important ingredients of a successful job search. I especially recommend taking notes from Chapter 12 Dealing with Telephone Run-Around. Most importantly, remember to get a commitment and never allow yourself to be interviewed over the phone. Good Luck!

Amazing book. Highly recommended. Provides an invaluable perspective on how to find and land a job.