Getting Past the Gatekeeper


Posted by Chad Nuttall on 26 Sep 2012 / 3 Comments


 

Whether you are trying to reach out to a potential mentor, or if you are hoping to get a few minutes with a hiring manager in a job search, getting past the gatekeeper will be an important process.

Several years ago I applied for a position at a small college.  Since the hiring manager was the Principal of the college she was a complete unknown to me, and I her.  She did not attend any of the conferences I did, or know any of the people in my network.

Finding the Principal in the phone directory was easy.  However, I noticed the phone number was the same number as the Principal’s assistant.  I waited till after 5pm and called the number – the Principal picked-up!  Goal!  We had an excellent chat about the position at the college and I provided a little background about myself.

Ultimately I didn’t get the job. But I did get past the gatekeeper!  It is the job of administrative assistants to keep eager job seekers, networkers and vendors from interrupting an executive’s work day.

Tips for getting past the gatekeeper:

1)      Pick-up the phone and call.  You may feel more comfortable with e-mail – but you need to call.

2)      Try early morning or early evening, outside the time in which assistants typically work.

3)      Do your research.  If the gatekeeper of the person you are trying to reach picks-up – you better know his or her name.

4)      If you do get the administrative assistant on the phone be super nice, sincere, friendly and courteous.  If you want to be really bold you may try “Is Chad in?” inferring that you are on a first name basis with your target.

5)      Ask the administrative assistant for the best time to reach the administrator.

6)      If the gatekeeper is nice and even a little bit helpful send a very short thank you e-mail.

7)      If you apply for a position through on an online system then ask if it would be ok to send in your resume via e-mail.  This is very helpful in case human resources does any screening.

Best of luck getting in touch!

Written by Chad Nuttall


  • http://twitter.com/lmendersby Lisa Endersby

    Great tips Chad! I’d add here that you always want to make sure you approach the conversation just as that – a dialogue rather than an interview. While you are looking for information and hoping to network, the person on the other end is a person first and you will make a far deeper and more meaningful connection when you engage with them rather than talk at them. Thanks for sharing!

  • http://www.facebook.com/cbisnath Chandra Bisnath

    These are great advice, but typically the administrative assistants are not the search coordinators

  • http://twitter.com/xenaocton Chelsea

    As a “gate keeper” I would add a few more items:

    The first would be to take the advice of the person answering the phone. If he or she says the best way to contact the person you’re looking for by email, do it. I usually also suggest copying me in, so that way I can follow up with the chair if the week or day gets crazy. You could even include “I called the office and Chelsea suggested I send you an email…”

    Another would be to make sure you use a professional approach and solid phone line. Don’t call while on the train, in the airport, or where you have spotty service. Communication problems can reflect badly if I’m asked if you called.

    The third piece of advice is to not be annoying. If you’ve called, I’ve taken your message and delivered it. What happens after that is beyond my control. A follow up phone call a few days later is acceptable and can be helpful. Calling several times and wasting the office’s time can be a bad first impression.

    The fourth (and final) idea is to treat whoever answers the phone with respect, even if it’s a student worker. A lot of times when I say “I’m sorry that person isn’t available”, I’m not lying. People are busy and are away from their desk, and even if they are at their desk but don’t recognize your number I’ll be asked to answer. I promise I’ll take your message, but if you treat me or a student worker poorly that message also gets passed along.

  • Latest Activity

  • Tags

    #sabest #sachat 9/11 acpa Advice advising career Community Conferences Education and Technology Education Theory engagement facebook Graduate Students higher ed Higher Education how to ideas interviews Job Search leadership leadership development NASPA Orientation Personal Poll professional development reflection residence life social justice Social Media student activities Student Affairs student affairs technology Student Development Student Engagement Student Engagement Theory students Supervision technology This and that Top Content Twitter Uncategorized video

  • Archives

  • Categories