5 reasons to call an employer

Do you follow up your applications with a telephone call?

The employment market in Zambia can be extremely competitive.  So what can you do to make sure that you stand out from the crowd?

In this article we outline 5 reasons why calling an employer can help you to stand out from the crowd and find a job.

1. Better chance of being remembered

Employers often receive 100s of applications in response to a job advertisement. The result can be that employers fail to read through all the applications or that applications become a bit of a blur. Few candidates think to call an employer to follow up their application, so by calling it is likely that you will will have a better chance of having your application a) read and b) remembered.

2. The importance of personality and enthusiasm

One of the most difficult things to demonstrate in a written application or CV is your personality and enthusiasm for a role. It is often much easier to convey this in conversation. By calling the employer you will have the opportunity to do this. It also gives you the opportunity to build a rapport with the employer that candidates who do not call will not have.

3. Shows your communication skills

Most job advertisements specify the need for excellent communication skills. Calling the employer gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your verbal communication skills. It also shows that you are confident enough to talk to new people – which is another really useful skill. Demonstrating your telephone communications skills could be important for securing an interview – especially for secretarial and sales jobs where talking on the telephone is a vital part of the job.

4. Discover more about the employer/job

Calling an employer could help you to obtain useful information.  This information could include a better understanding of the company and the job, which could help you to prepare for the interview. It could also help you to discover more about the interviewer, their personality and what they like and dislike. It could be that you discover that the job is not suitable in which case you have saved yourself time and money that you can use to find a more suitable role.

5. Problem-fixing

Sometimes you see an advertisement for a job that you know you can do but you fail to meet the requirements specified in the job advertisement. By calling the employer you gain an opportunity demonstrate how you are suitable even though you might not meet some of the requirements stipulated in the job advertisement. You also gain the opportunity to fix any problems that the employer may raise with your application, such as information that you forgot to include.

Important Note

It is important to note that some job advertisements (often public sector jobs) clearly specify that applicants should not attempt to contact by telephone. In these circumstances it is often best not to try to contact them by telephone as this could harm your chances of success.

Further Information

To find more careers articles visit: Careers Advice

Search for Jobs

To search for the latest jobs in Zambia visit: www.gozambiajobs.com/jobs