Gatekeepers are the individuals in place to provide a manager with that first line of defense against incoming calls.

A pivotal part of the application process is following up to ensure your resume was received by either the right manager or decision maker who will be considering you for employment. Good follow up indicates you really are interested in a position and will set you apart from others who may just be slinging resumes left and right hoping one will stick.

But there’s just one small obstacle between you and whoever may be deciding whether you’re the right person for the job…the gatekeepers.

Gatekeepers are the individuals in place to provide a manager with that first line of defense against incoming calls. Secretaries, receptionists, administrative assistants…it may be frustrating constantly having someone take a message or directing you to a seemingly dead end voicemail.

There are, however, a few tricks and ideas to keep in mind that can score you some leverage when it comes to actually speaking with the individual in charge.

Mindset

Set yourself up in your mind as doing this company a favor by calling them back. Don’t think of yourself as wasting anyone’s time. An assertive mindset will give you the confidence to speak with anyone trying to deter you.

Tone of Voice

When calling, try to avoid sounding overly chipper, friendly or upbeat. You’ll just come off sounding like you’re asking someone’s permission for something and the gatekeeper is there to deny you that permission. Instead, try your request with a lower tone of voice and speak with assurance and even a little authority. You need to come across as though this call is being expected.

Get the Ball in Your Court

When your call is answered, you need to start by introducing yourself and stating the purpose of your call. Not only does this start you off with the right momentum, but you also deny the gatekeeper the chance to label you and subsequently put you off.

Follow up with the introduction by asking who you are speaking with. When the gatekeeper responds, hit back with something along the lines of the following:

“(Use his/her name), I was calling because I had done some online research related to the (insert position here) and I had a couple questions for him/her. I think I may be the right candidate they are looking for. Would you be able to put me through?”

The beautiful part of this is that there is nothing false. Just a bit of clever word play that establishes a professional and business-like tone and purpose for your call.

Practice and Adapt

It may take a few calls to get down a basic script that you are comfortable with. Take notes and jot down what works and what does not. And yes, not all gatekeepers are created equal. Some may be relative softies and others won’t let anyone get through. Don’t be afraid to get creative if necessary and even use a little humor when appropriate. Being flexible in your approach will make you more personable and genuine. Use your script as a guide and not your dogma. 

Remain Alert, Collect Information

Even if your goal to reach your target doesn’t succeed, glean whatever information you can to give you an edge when you make that big breakthrough. Ask what the best time is to reach the decision maker, what their schedule looks like, if you’re pronouncing their name correctly, and note if they go by their first or last name. In life, the biggest blunders are often made by ignoring or overlooking small, but vital pieces of information.

Gatekeepers are People, Too

Being rude or sarcastic won’t win you any points with anyone. Even if a gatekeeper is being condescending or rude, remember, they might be dealing with just as much aggravation as you are. Getting them on your side by treating them with a little respect and empathy can increase your chances of getting through to the people that matter.

Remember, this is just as much a people game as a numbers game. Although there isn’t a magic formula for getting through to the people you need, these tips can definitely boost your chances for making it through to whoever is going to decide if you’re the right person for the job.