Phone Etiquette
Posted on January 8, 2009
Filed Under Random Rant | 1 Comment
Yes, it is a common to call someone’s office and get their receptionist. I’m a big supporter of receptionists, administrative assistants, and people who have to answer the phone in a busy office. These people work hard. But what really sucks is when you get a moron who answers your phone call. Therefore this random rant is just a little suggestion to people who answer phones for someone else…
When a caller asks to speak with someone in your office (or household), start by answering the phone with a smile on your face. If you have to ask who it is that is calling, do so politely and actually listen. Don’t respond with a snotty “who??” if you didn’t catch their name or hear them right the first time. If you have to ask the caller to repeat themselves, then just acknowledge that you are an idiot with a hearing problem that didn’t listen the first time. Then put them on hold and forward the call to the person that they were asking for.
Now here is the kicker….let’s pretend that the person they were calling for doesn’t want to take the phone call right now. You have to get back onto the phone and tell the caller that they are not important enough for the other person to take their phone call right now.
Here is what you DON’T say:
“I’m sorry but they are not here right now.” Although you are being polite, we know it is a lie, because otherwise you would have said that before asking me my name twice and then putting me on hold for a few minutes.
If you’ve done this, then you’re a moron. I’m just saying…
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One Response to “Phone Etiquette”
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Link Me In!
I’m afraid I must take umbrage with this post.
Working for someone who likes to have her calls screened, but who is also four doors and a hallway away, I frequently don’t know whether she is in or not. And if I go over to see if she’s there and she is and I don’t know the name of the person on the line, I will get the ‘headshake of disappointment’. So, yes, I want your name and yes, you’ll be on hold a minute while I find out if she’s even there.
By the way, those sentences I just wrote are the worst constructed sentences ever. But it’s early in the morning and I should actually be pushing out some letters.
Stop distracting me!
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