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We all know that resumes are de-valued now, right?  There are too many companies that will broadcast your resume  to hundreds of openings; and overworked, underpaid HR people are tasked with sifting and sorting piles of crap resumes.  They simply cannot do it.

But nearly every day someone asks us here at JobDig for advice on how to make a better resume.   My standard answer is to make each resume special or specific for that specific job, fine tuning it so that the HR or hiring manager can quickly determine how you can help their business.  Few do it, of course, because it sounds a lot like…wait for it, wait, wait…yep, work.

Most job interviews come our way because the employer initiates contact.  But if your resume does not stand out, and few really truly do, it only makes sense that your phone won’t ring much.   This is the frustrating part of job searching, sending out resumes, waiting, waiting for those emails and calls to come your way.  It is the retail store version of job hunting, your store front looks great, your inventory is displayed properly, but no one even looks in the window.

If employers are not coming to you asking you to interview, what can you do?   You can call the HR or hiring manager yourself.  This is a legal idea.  No one has ever gone to jail for calling a company for a job.

Instead of giving advice that says simply “call the company and ask for an interview,” I am thinking you are hung up a bit on it, or you would have done it already.  For only those of you who don’t know what words to use when making this call, here a few scripts that will serve as thought-starters for you.

1.  Hello Mr. Jones, my name is Sam Morris.  I have been interested in Widget Company because what I have been reading in the newspaper.  I think I have some direct skills and ideas which may help Widget Company with these issues.  Do you have 15 or 30 minutes to give me in the next week or so?

2.  Hello Mr. Jones, my name is Sam Morris.   I see Widget Company is hiring left-handed, X-Ray technicians.  I wanted to call you direct, right away, because not only do I meet those basic qualifications, I understand your business and I think I can offer more than the typical candidate.  I wanted to be the first to ask to get on your interview schedule.

3.  Hello Mr. Jones, my name is Sam Morris.   I am about to put my resume in the mail to you, with a cover letter than explains how my experience fits exactly with what you need for the Technical Writer position.  If you were to describe the perfect candidate for this job, how would you do that?  Do you mind if I stop by this week?—I’d really like to hear what you need this person to do for your company, extra things that perhaps are not in the job description.

4.  Hello Mr. Jones, my name is Sam Morris.   I saw your help wanted ad on Jobdig and I wanted to call right away to let you know I have those exact qualities and qualifications.  My resume and cover letter can’t show you how excited I am about Widget Company—I hope I can visit with you in the next few days.

5.  Hello Mr. Jones, my name is Sam Morris.  Ever since I noticed your job opening, I have been studying Widget Company to make sure that not only do my skills align with the job but with the goals of the company.  I would be honored to work for Widget and hope that I can meet you soon to see if there might be a fit.

Admittedly, there are dozens of telephone openings one can use.  My intent here was actually NOT to give you one that you could realistically use.  My intent was to show you how important it is for you to write down the exact words you are going to use when making this phone call.   Words are important.