Job Search: You Have To Pick Up The Phone

In my job search I was told that networking was how I’d likely find my next job.  The higher the level, or the bigger the salary, the more important networking is, they said.

I didn’t want to network, because I was too busy finding and applying to jobs I found on job boards. I was sure I was the most amazing candidate for those roles, and I was sure to get interviews and offers.

That wasn’t what happened, though.

I still didn’t want to network, because networking is hard (check out this post by networking guru and author, Thom Singer, about why social media makes networking harder). Isn’t it a lot easier to just submit resumes?

I’ll tell you something harder than networking: picking up the PHONE!

A few years ago I was listening to job search guru Michael Webb talk about making those phone calls. He has a system that not many people will employ because, even though it’s one of the best systems I’ve heard about, it is scary and hard for most people.

It involves picking up the phone.

In his presentation, Michael Webb said the phone seems to “weigh 500 pounds!”

Is that how it is for you?  You can’t curl 30 pounds, much less 500 pounds, right?

That dang receiver is scary…!  What if someone answers – then what???

What if you choke on one of your lines?  Then what???

What if the conversation goes okay but you run out of stuff to say – then what???

My heavens – JUST PICK UP THE PHONE, and work on your phone skills.

Even if it is scary, even if it is 500 pounds.

As you get better you’ll get more comfortable, although you might never lose your fear completely.

That’s okay.

It’s okay to be afraid.  It’s normal to be afraid.

But you have to pick up the phone and make that call!