Freelancers: How to Avoid Waiting by the Phone for a Potential Client or Employer to Call and Say, "You're Hired"

If you've ever waited for a potential client or employer to call you back in regards to a gig/job they might hire you for, you know how frustrating, time consuming and maddening it can be. Of course mobile phones have made the waiting easier (since you're not physically as tied down), but it's common for freelancers and job seekers to be emotionally and mentally unable to really focus on anything else since they're so anxious for the phone call (and they want to be mentally sharp).

I don't know about you, but I've been there before, and I can tell you first-hand that it sucks. It sucks so badly that I finally started to put some thought towards some ideas that might help keep me out of this "Are you interested in hiring me" limbo.

Below I have a typical scenario of a call you might place to a potential client or employer, let's say she emailed you or left a message on your phone and you're just getting back to her:

"Hi Sherry,
This is YOUR NAME, and it is 12:30 on Tuesday the 5th. Thank you for sending over your email a little earlier today, I am definitely interested in talking with you a little more about the position, what you're looking for and how I believe I'll be able to help you. Feel free to give me a call at (555) 555-5555 - thank you again, I am really looking forward to hearing from you! Good bye."

So what do think? Would you make any changes to this example or do feel pretty good about how it sounds? While it might sound professional, if you (or I) left this message it would drop us right in the middle of "Are you interested in hiring me" limbo - which as we've already mentioned sucks badly.

Check out an alternative message that you can leave below, it's just as professional and it will keep you out of feeling like you have to sit and wait by the phone all day long:

"Hi Sherry,
This is YOUR NAME, thank you for sending over your email a little earlier today, I am definitely interested in talking with you a little more about the position, what you're looking for and how I believe I'll be able to help you. Right now it is 12:30 on Tuesday the 5th, and it sounds like I've missed you, not a problem, I'll try you back later today around 3:30 and see if I can touch base with you...looking forward to connecting with you then! Good bye."

See the difference in the two examples? The first example puts the action (and the control) in the hands of the client/employer, in the second example you control when and what the next action will be. Nice huh? Just a quick and easy tip on how to keep out of "Are you interested in hiring me" limbo - hope you enjoyed it.