Cold-Calling Jerks

20 calls a week. No lie. Probably more that don't leave messages. Tactics that include:

• "Gene" told me to give you a call = I got Gene on the phone and he said he didn't make those decisions, you did (or worse, they just know Gene's name).
• I wanted to finish up our conversation last week = You're so busy you don't remember we didn't talk so I'll play the guilt card.
• Unsolicited LinkedIn invitations followed up by an email to my personal email.

I know, cold calling is a part of the job. And if you want to succeed, you've got to bang on some doors. But unless you have something SO unique, I'm not going to have time for your call. And if you do have something unique, I'll probably find it if I need it.