Job ad says 'No phone calls'. Can I call?

Submitted by manager on Thu, 2011-12-22 22:46

By Gregg McLachlan
WorkCabin.ca

Before you even think of picking up the phone, consider these issues:

1. HR is busy! Don't assume that an employer has simply put this line at the bottom of a job ad as a test to see who has initiative. Yes, sometimes, employers may try this tactic, but more often than not, it's there because employers are very busy and don't want to be interrupted by unnecessary telephone calls. It's why they sometimes prefix this line with "Absolutely" no phone calls.

2. Got a solid reason for calling? If you decide to ignore the line and call, you'd better have a solid reason for doing so (in other words, really think it through BEFORE you call). A call that's nothing more than a "Did you get my application?" is generally a time waster. Busy HR people don't have time to stop what they're doing to search 150 resumes to see if your resume is in the pile. What's your genuine, value-added reason for calling? You'd better have a darn good one.

3. What do you know about the person doing the hiring, or the organization? Sometimes social media can give some insights into personality, if it's a small organization and one person wears many hats that may include HR. But you'll only have this insight if you have been following the person for some time. This is another example of how using social media to target and engage with specific employers can help in the job-hunting department. 

Now that we've gotten these three considerations out of the way, here are three strategies for dealing with a job ad that says "No phone calls."

1. Research the organization. Who are the key contacts? And here's a tip: the receptionist who answers the phone is usually not your target contact. There are all kinds of sources to find specific people within an organizations. Company websites and LinkedIn are terrific tools. Find someone within the organization who WILL take your call. You  need to get your name raised in conversations in that workplace.

2. Are you good on the phone? I mean, really good. You'd better be if you want to take the risk of not complying with a request like "No phone calls." Do you come across as well spoken? Good mannered? Engaging? If you have these qualities and make a good first impression on the phone, making a call to the right person could be a good strategy. Employers don't like interruptions, but if you are instantly engaging, that dislike for interruptions can evaporate. Employers usually remember people who are instantly engaging on the phone. When they get off the phone, they think, "That person sounded great on the phone!" That's an edge that may get you a face-to-face interview. But you need to be really confident in your phone skills. If you usually get nervous on the phone, avoid a call.

3. Have an incredible resume. Huh? Resume? I thought this was about how to handle the "No phone calls" question? Well, it's actually about how to get your name on the radar of the person doing the hiring. Your first, most effective tool to do that is by having a killer resume that gets noticed. Learn how to charm employers with your resume, rather than disobeying the "No phone calls" line and hoping your voice will get you an interview. Is your resume looking like a thousand other resumes in terms of style, layout, etc? If you're willing to break a request that says "No phone calls" then maybe it's time to break some cliche "styles" for resumes so you stand out. Just think it through: Some employers may like this style, some may not. Do your homework.