I am constantly flummoxed by people and how they handle phone calls.  I am not sure their handling of phone calls is due to not being self-aware, more communication being by text, or if they are just as think as I dumb they are.  There are a few different calls that people get from recruiters or hiring managers:

Cold call.  This is when a recruiter, usually an agency recruiter, calls you looking for referrals (leads) or they hope to get you interested in a position they are filling.  These are bounty hunters.  They have a profile they are going after and some of them (not all) will kick down doors, pick locks and do whatever it takes to find the person they are after.

Warm call.  These are also usually agency recruiters but they tell you they have been referred by someone.  If they tell you the person’s name that referral is a little more legit.  I am not saying they/we lie but if you are told “I have been referred to you by someone on a confidential basis” it may or may not be true.  I’m just saying.

Candidate initiated.  This is after the candidate has shown interest in the position.  They may have contacted the recruiter via social media, via the phone or by jumping through the hoops to apply through their ATS (applicant tracking system.)

Process calls.  These calls may be from a hiring manager, recruiter or someone else at the company or agency while you are in the interviewing process.  They may be to schedule an interview (phone, in person or Skype), to arrange travel, or to update you on your status.

Breaking up.  My rule of thumb is that if you are on your 2nd or 3rd round of interviews I usually call you to tell you that we are not going to be offering you the position.  BTW, these calls suck for us too.  Sometimes I think you could be great in the position but I am not the one making the decision.

Offer.  Just what the title says, we are calling to offer you the job.  These also may be calls negotiating the terms of the offer.

Over the next week I will address each type of call and look at it from the candidate perspective and they recruiter or hiring manager perspective.

Al

The telephone is a good way to talk to people without having to offer them a drink.
Fran Lebowitz