The most frustrating, inescapable thing about being unemployed and job hunting is the constant learning and evolution when it comes to your resume, communication with potential employers, and job interviews. I just had a painfully funny realization today.
My resume features a philosophy section which says this:
“I aim to provide consistently superior service to both my external and internal customers. One way I do that is by striving to always be immediately available. I try to always pick up my phone so that people rarely encounter my voicemail.”
This is a really important concept to me, that I find difficult to articulate succinctly. Basically, you know when the phone rings right when you walk in the door with your arms full and your computer not even on? I pick up the phone. Phone rings at 6:02pm when I'm making a get-a-way? I pick it up. In the middle of a report and almost done? When my office phone rings, if I possibly can, I pick it up. You'll never get 100% success, but it's something I strive for.
See what's missing from my personal philosophy above? OFFICE phone.
My MOBILE phone philosophy is COMPLETELY different.
So when my mobile phone rang last week with a number I didn't recognize, I didn't pick it up because I was not currently in a position to be able to have an effective conversation with a potential employer. I never pick up a mobile phone call when I'm going to be unable to conduct the call well. When I'm driving, for example. It's not like I have the option to sit back down at my desk and take the call.
So the phone rang and the person didn't leave a message. Now I think it's a solicitor, or simply not important. Someone calling about a job would leave a message. So the next two times I see that number, I don't pick up the call.
And then just this morning, while thinking about my job hunt, I suddenly thought OMG, what if someone was testing my personal philosophy from my resume??? And now they think I'm totally full of shit, and I've just missed an opportunity!
Now, another reason I didn't pick up the call was that it was from an 866 area code, which is a toll-free area code. So it probably was a solicitor. And if it was someone calling about a job, it's pretty rude not to leave a message.
Still, I'm totally fixing that on my resume.
If the person calling you thought that I think they are well I was gonna say pretty stupid, maybe that is too harsh.
It's a RESUME. You are talking about WORK. You are talking about your CUSTOMERS.
If somebody wants to know if this is true in your personal life, they need to set up an interview with you and fricking ask you. Though I personally think it is NONE of their business.
The above refers to office work. Since you are in the entertainment industry, if you were running a business as a publicist, agent, manager, stylist, etc, then yeah saying the above does imply you would answer your personal phone for your clients at all times. But I thought you were looking for office jobs.
Posted by: ~M~ | March 30, 2010 at 11:13 AM
Good point - Perhaps I am overanalyzing. :D
Posted by: lizriz | March 30, 2010 at 11:18 AM
So many friends looking for work, including me. I think answering your work phone like that is a good thing, but I share your mobile phone philosophy. If I don't recognize the number, I don't answer. If they can't bother to leave a short message, forget it, they must not really need to speak with me.
Posted by: Karl | March 31, 2010 at 04:59 AM
Yes, Americans are getting very good at the unemployment/job hunt thing these days. I hate that I'm beginning to feel like a layoff pro. Sigh. And yes, as much as I hate voicemail, usually if I miss a call from a number I don't recognize and they don't leave a message I don't give it a second thought.
Posted by: lizriz | March 31, 2010 at 08:00 AM
I think you're overthinking, but I would scrap that philosophy from your resume. If I'm hiring, my company might have a different set of priorities. Plus, it makes you sound like career telemarketing staff or something.
And google the number that called your cell phone. Does your answering message encourage people to leave a message? I do but then, I'm a freelancer.
Posted by: Robin | March 31, 2010 at 01:55 PM
Hm... Well, my resume is about ME, right? If it's true to me, and it hits you so wrong you're not going to call me because of it (and think it makes me sound like a telemarketer, what!?), than I would think I'm a bad match at your company. And better for both of us that you don't call me.
I do Google numbers, but I've had little luck lately. And yes, it says please leave a message. :)
Posted by: lizriz | April 05, 2010 at 08:42 AM