Proper buisness phone etiquette

[dullard]

Background:
[*]Work for a very small business of a half dozen people.
[*]I normally don't answer phones.
[*]We had a big deadline yesterday, so everyone but me is taking today off.

Call:
[*]Caller asks for my boss by name. I say he isn't here and ask for a name+phone number for my boss to call on Monday.
[*]Caller asks for human resources (my boss). I say that HR would be my boss, and he isn't here.
[*]Caller asks to talk to my boss by name. I say he isn't here and again ask for phone number.
[*]Caller asks for human resources department. I'm stumped here. What do I say?
[*]I pause then ask what the call is about.
[*]Caller says it is about a job. We have no job openings and are cutting back. I say my boss can call back on Monday and discuss it.
[*]Caller asks for human resources department.

Cliffs:
[*]Caller asks for people who I already said aren't there, caller won't get off the phone, and won't give any contact info.
[*]What is the proper phone etiquette for this situation?

 

[krunchykrome]

You then get rude with the person on the phone. Just because you're at work doesnt mean you can't get nasty with someone.

 

[xospec1alk]

I'm sorry, i'm really busy rite now *click*

or send him to your company phone directory

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

probably a telemarketer/salesman. They are extremely pushy and aggressive.

 

[imported_Trippin315]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
You then get rude with the person on the phone. Just because you're at work doesnt mean you can't get nasty with someone.

I do the same.

 

[spidey07]

Sounds like somebody cold calling for a job and fishing for names so they can directly send a resume to your boss. Good move.

I would never tell anybody that i didn't know the name of my boss or anybody for that matter. Sometimes salesmen use that trick to get in (cold calling and gathering information)

how to handle? "Call back on monday at the main number, do not contact me again"

 

[MiniDoom]

Originally posted by: xospec1alk
I'm sorry, i'm really busy rite now *click*

or send him to your company phone directory

or, hold on while I transfer you. click.

 

[kranky]

It was probably someone trying to sell something. They know if they leave a callback number it will get thrown in the trash. They are hoping if they are persistent enough and frustrate you enough, you'll quit lying (that's what they are thinking) about no one being there and put their call through.

All you can do is say "I'm sorry that I can't help you, and if you prefer not to leave a callback number please call back on Monday." and hang up.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: spidey07
Sounds like somebody cold calling for a job and fishing for names so they can directly send a resume to your boss. Good move.

I would never tell anybody that i didn't know the name of my boss or anybody for that matter. Sometimes salesmen use that trick to get in (cold calling and gathering information)

I didn't give any personal information, 99% of our calls are salesmen. Somehow though, he knew my bosses name from the start. Maybe a previous cold call?

 

[Conky]

When people won't let me off the phone in a situation like that I interupt them and say "I am hanging up now" and then I simply hang up the phone even if they continue talking with the idea of keeping me on the phone.

Work in a busy office long enough and you learn ways to keep people from wasting your time.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: dullard

Originally posted by: spidey07
Sounds like somebody cold calling for a job and fishing for names so they can directly send a resume to your boss. Good move.

I would never tell anybody that i didn't know the name of my boss or anybody for that matter. Sometimes salesmen use that trick to get in (cold calling and gathering information)

I didn't give any personal information, 99% of our calls are salesmen. Somehow though, he knew my bosses name from the start. Maybe a previous cold call?

very well could be.

I agree with others though that it may have just been somebody trying to push something.

I normally just tell em "not interested" <click>

 

[vi edit]

As soon as somebody asks to talk to a supervisor, my first response is to ask what it is concerning. I would have done that after the first step.

Once I found out what it about (the job) I would have simply said "I'm sorry, there is no one available at this time to talk about these opportunities, but I would be happy to get your name and number and someone will contact you shortly".

And then after I got that info would have said "Thank you for your cotanct information, have a nice weekend, goodbye".

 

[iversonyin]

Your boss is prank calling you from home

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: iversonyin
Your boss is prank calling you from home

Didn't think of that one. How good are the voice-altering technologies now?

 

[KLin]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
As soon as somebody asks to talk to a supervisor, my first response is to ask what it is concerning. I would have done that after the first step.

Once I found out what it about (the job) I would have simply said "I'm sorry, there is no one available at this time to talk about these opportunities, but I would be happy to get your name and number and someone will contact you shortly".

And then after I got that info would have said "Thank you for your cotanct information, have a nice weekend, goodbye".

Good advice. Also, If someone calls asking what kind of laserjet printer you have, DO NOT TELL THEM!! .

 

[So]

Originally posted by: dullard

Originally posted by: iversonyin
Your boss is prank calling you from home

Didn't think of that one. How good are the voice-altering technologies now?

Does the guy calling you sound suspiciously like Darth Vader?

 

[KLin]

Originally posted by: So

Originally posted by: dullard

Originally posted by: iversonyin
Your boss is prank calling you from home

Didn't think of that one. How good are the voice-altering technologies now?

Does the guy calling you sound suspiciously like Darth Vader?

And was he breathing heavily?

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: KLin
And was he breathing heavily?

It wasn't THAT type of call.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
As soon as somebody asks to talk to a supervisor, my first response is to ask what it is concerning. I would have done that after the first step.

Once I found out what it about (the job) I would have simply said "I'm sorry, there is no one available at this time to talk about these opportunities, but I would be happy to get your name and number and someone will contact you shortly".

I suppose I'll try asking what the call is about sooner. But they always refuse to give the contact info.

 

[KLin]

Originally posted by: dullard

Originally posted by: vi_edit
As soon as somebody asks to talk to a supervisor, my first response is to ask what it is concerning. I would have done that after the first step.

Once I found out what it about (the job) I would have simply said "I'm sorry, there is no one available at this time to talk about these opportunities, but I would be happy to get your name and number and someone will contact you shortly".

I suppose I'll try asking what the call is about sooner. But they always refuse to give the contact info.

That's when you cut to the part about saying "Have a nice day" and hanging up :thumbsup:. I'm sure you have more important things than trying to convince the other party to hang up .

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: dullard

Originally posted by: vi_edit
As soon as somebody asks to talk to a supervisor, my first response is to ask what it is concerning. I would have done that after the first step.

Once I found out what it about (the job) I would have simply said "I'm sorry, there is no one available at this time to talk about these opportunities, but I would be happy to get your name and number and someone will contact you shortly".

I suppose I'll try asking what the call is about sooner. But they always refuse to give the contact info.

Like others have said, if they refuse contact info they are trying to sell print toners, billboard space, carpet cleanings, ect. If it was important they'll leave their info.

Same theory I have at home. Lots of times I won't answer the phone. If it's important the caller will leave a message.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: KLin
That's when you cut to the part about saying "Have a nice day" and hanging up :thumbsup:.

That is basically what I did. But it didn't feel right. Oh well. Thanks for the education ATOT.

 

[BooGiMaN]

after the second tiem of going around in a circle you should have told them to hold on ill connect you and put them on hold and forgot about them....

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
You then get rude with the person on the phone. Just because you're at work doesnt mean you can't get nasty with someone.

Wrong. There's a diff b/t rude and "professionally terse."

Dullard did EVERYTHING correctly. After being polite and covering all possible bases two or three times, he's within his right to say "Sorry you don't want to leave a message Sir/Maam, the other line is ringing. Have a good day, thanks for calling." *click*

NEVER be rude on the phone. You never know who is calling.