Today at work I was asked to find the email address of a healthcare professional in order to invite them to an event we are hosting in May. At first, I went to the internet. I looked up the company they work for and scoured the website for their email...nothing. I then consulted a personal blog of theirs, their LinkedIn profile, and news stories containing their name...still nothing. THEN, I sent an email to the company's email for inquiries, knowing that this may take a few days to get addressed and responded to.
My boss came into the office and asked me whether I had found the person's email yet and when I said no she told me to call the number on the website. Now, I am very uncomfortable with phone conversations (I don't even like talking to family on the phone!). However, I called the number, was transferred to the assistant and she gave me the email, taking fewer than 5 minutes to complete the task.
This one experience has really given me an idea of the importance of phone calls and reaching out to others when you need help. It can sometimes be the most efficient and best option for finding the information you need. I'm coming to terms with the idea of stuttering and making mistakes while speaking to someone on the phone. It is still scary even though I know and understand the importance, especially when speaking with professionals. It takes practice, which can be hard to do because I don't regularly have opportunities to speak to professionals over the phone, or even in person. But I know that the practice will come after I graduate and am searching for jobs (scary...).
This is a thing your generation does less of. I hate making phone calls, too, but I grew up in a world where that was often the only way to get the information you wanted.
ReplyDeleteThis is also one of the reasons why I made you (as a class) call your mentors.
Sarah, I totally agree, I hate talking on the phone! I would much rather text or email, or even speak in person. I'm not even really sure what it is that I hate so much, but it is definitely something I need to improve upon.
ReplyDeleteTalking on the phone can be super awkward sometimes so I know how you feel! But we all have to deal with these things and will get better as time goes on.
ReplyDeleteIn my first month at my position I was in charge of collecting data from other hospitals about their point of service collections processes and I started with emails and was not getting anywhere and had to resort to calls as well which I hate, but I also quickly got the info I needed and in a much quicker way then an email. like Jason said it gets much easier the more you work on it though and next thing you know you will be calling people much more comfortably.
ReplyDeleteThe first time I had to make a call at IHPP I practically wrote a script for it. I was so nervous and stumbled through the entire thing. I was trying to invite someone to an event and the first thing out of their mouth after I blabbed out five sentences in one breath was "no thank you, we're not interested." Then she hung up! Just like that. It was pretty terrible. After that phone call I had to make a few more. They got better each time. Now I feel pretty confident on the phone just because I have to do it so much. I hope the same will be true for you.
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