Knowing Who to Talk To

When you’re asking if a business is hiring, it’s not just about what you say—it’s about *who* you’re saying it to. Talking to the right person can make all the difference in whether your inquiry gets passed on or simply forgotten. Most of the time, the person you want to reach is the manager or someone in charge of hiring. But what if the manager isn’t available? Should you just leave and try again later? Or is there another way to make a connection that could lead to an opportunity?

In this tutorial, we’ll dive into how to find the right person to talk to when you’re asking if a business is hiring, and how to make a good impression even if you can’t get to the manager right away. By the end, you’ll have the confidence to approach any business and know exactly who to ask for—and what to do if that person isn’t around.

The Power of Going Straight to the Source: Why It Matters

Let’s start with a simple fact: not everyone you speak to in a business will have the power to make hiring decisions. The cashier, barista, or receptionist might be the first person you see when you walk in, but that doesn’t mean they’re in charge of hiring. It’s great to be polite and friendly to everyone, but you also need to make sure you’re asking the right person about job opportunities.

Typically, managers or supervisors are the ones handling hiring. They’re the gatekeepers who decide who gets interviewed and who doesn’t. If you’re not speaking directly to them, there’s a good chance your inquiry won’t make it to the top of the pile. That’s why it’s important to go straight to the source whenever possible.

How to Ask for the Manager

So, you walk into a business, and the first person you see isn’t the manager. What should you do? Simple: ask for the manager! Here’s how to do it in a way that’s polite, respectful, and professional:

• Step 1: Greet the First Person You See Start by being friendly to whoever greets you. A simple, “Hi there! How’s it going?” works perfectly. This helps you come across as approachable and polite.

• Step 2: Ask if the Manager Is Available Once you’ve exchanged pleasantries, ask if the manager is around. You could say something like, “I was wondering if the manager is available? I’d love to ask about any job openings you might have.”

• Step 3: Be Ready for a “No” If the manager isn’t there or is too busy to talk, don’t just walk out empty-handed. Instead, ask when they’ll be available. Try something like, “I understand they’re busy. Do you know when would be a better time for me to stop by and speak with them?” This shows that you’re patient and respectful of their time, while also making it clear that you’re serious about the opportunity.

• Step 4: Leave Your Information if Necessary If you can’t wait or come back later, leave your contact information with the person you’re talking to. Say something like, “Would you mind passing this along to the manager when they’re free? I’d really appreciate it.” Make sure to write down your name, phone number, email, and maybe a brief note about why you’re interested in working there.

By asking for the manager in this polite and direct way, you increase your chances of getting the right person’s attention. Even if the manager isn’t available, you’ve made it clear that you’re serious about the job and respectful of their time.

Making a Connection with Employees:

Why It Still Matters

But what happens when the manager isn’t available, and you’re stuck talking to someone else—like an employee who isn’t involved in hiring? Is the conversation a dead end? Absolutely not! In fact, making a positive connection with the staff can still work in your favor, even if they don’t have any direct say in hiring decisions.

Here’s why: Employees talk. If you make a good impression on the staff, they might pass along your name to the manager or mention you in casual conversation. Businesses often value the opinions of their employees, especially when it comes to hiring someone who would fit well with the team. A friendly chat with the staff could end up being your golden ticket to getting noticed.

Example: The Friendly Barista

Here’s a real-world example that shows how powerful this can be: A guy walks into a coffee shop and asks the barista if they’re hiring. The barista isn’t the manager, so she doesn’t know much about the hiring process. But the guy is friendly, polite, and genuinely interested in the café. They chat for a few minutes about how busy the place has been lately and how he’d love to work in a fast-paced environment like this.

Later that day, the barista casually mentions to her boss, “Hey, this really nice guy came in earlier and asked if we were hiring. He seemed like a great fit!” Guess who gets a call the next week for an interview? That’s right—our friendly job seeker.

How to Build a Connection with Employees

Even if you’re not talking to the manager, it’s important to make a good impression on anyone you speak to. Here are a few tips for building a positive connection with employees:

1. Be Friendly and Respectful This might seem obvious, but it’s worth repeating. Always be polite and friendly to everyone you meet, from the person sweeping the floor to the cashier behind the counter. You never know who might put in a good word for you later.

2. Show Genuine Interest When you’re talking to employees, don’t just ask if they’re hiring and leave it at that. Engage in a brief conversation. You could ask, “What’s it like working here?” or “How long have you been with the company?” Showing genuine interest in their experience makes the interaction feel more personal and less transactional.

3. Be Professional, Even with Casual Conversations It’s great to be friendly, but remember to keep things professional. Avoid oversharing personal details or cracking too many jokes. You want to come across as someone who would fit well into the team while still maintaining a level of professionalism.

4. Leave a Positive Lasting Impression Even if the conversation is short, make sure to leave a lasting impression. Thank the employee for their time, and if they say they’ll pass along your message, show your appreciation. A simple “Thanks so much! I really appreciate your help” can go a long way.

Pro Tip: Following Up After Making a Connection

Let’s say you’ve had a great conversation with an employee, and they’ve told you when the manager will be back or that they’ll pass your message along. What now? This is where follow-up comes into play. Following up shows that you’re serious and keeps you top-of-mind for when the manager is ready to make hiring decisions.

Here’s how to follow up effectively:

• If You Know When the Manager Will Be Back If the employee gave you a specific time or day when the manager will be available, make sure to follow up at that time. For example, if they said the manager would be in on Friday afternoon, stop by again on Friday with the same friendly and professional attitude you had the first time.

• If You Left Your Information If you left your contact details, wait a few days and then follow up with a quick phone call or email. Keep it short and polite, and mention that you had stopped by earlier and were following up on your inquiry about job openings.

Sample follow-up: “Hi, this is [Your Name]. I stopped by the other day and spoke with [Employee’s Name] about potential job openings. I just wanted to follow up and see if the manager had a chance to review my information. I’d love the opportunity to discuss any available positions. Thanks so much!”

Knowing When to Come Back: Timing Is Key

If the manager isn’t around when you first stop by, don’t get discouraged. It’s all about timing. By asking the staff when the manager is usually available, you can plan a better time to return and make your case directly to the person in charge.

Remember, showing persistence without being pushy is a fine line to walk. Following up politely after your first visit shows that you’re serious about the opportunity, but it doesn’t come across as desperate or overbearing. Managers appreciate candidates who take the initiative, and following up at the right time can make you stand out.

Real-World Example: The Strategic Follow-Up

Here’s another real-world scenario to illustrate the power of following up: A woman walks into a boutique clothing store and asks if they’re hiring. The cashier tells her that the manager isn’t in that day but usually comes in on Monday mornings. The woman makes a note of this and plans to return on Monday.

When she comes back, she asks for the manager directly and introduces herself with a confident smile. The manager appreciates her initiative and the fact that she came back at a time that worked for them. A week later, she’s hired as a part-time sales associate.

In Conclusion: Who You Talk to Matters

Knowing who to talk to when asking if a business is hiring is one of the most important steps in your job search. Going straight to the source—the manager or hiring decision-maker—gives you the best chance of getting your foot in the door. But even if the manager isn’t available, making a positive connection with the employees can still work in your favor.

By being polite, professional, and persistent, you’ll leave a lasting impression that could lead to a job offer down the road. And remember, timing is everything. If the manager isn’t there, find out when they will be and follow up at the right time.

Now that you know how to find the right person to talk to, you’re one step closer to landing that job. Keep practicing these skills, and soon you’ll be able to walk into any business and confidently ask if they’re hiring, no matter who greets you at the door.

Stay tuned for the next tutorial, where we’ll cover how to make your pitch when you finally get in front of the decision-maker!