When to veto your voicemail message

Whether it’s your home or cell phone, a potential employer is likely to reach your voicemail at some point in trying to contact you. It can even be the first impression you make after your resume and cover letter. What you say or don’t say could be the difference between a hello and a hang up.

• It’s tempting to have the anonymity of the standard prerecorded message, “Hello, this is ###-###-####. Please leave a message. BEEP!” But the computerized conversation can be cold and impersonal. You may as well be anyone off the street if you in fact exist at all.



• The opposite tactic of being too personal can backfire too. Avoid messages referring to personal drama or finances. The last thing you want human resources to hear when calling to arrange an interview is, “Hello, this is (your name). I’m screening my calls so if you’re a bill collector or my ex-spouse, don’t bother. Everyone else can leave a message.”



• Steer clear of practical joke messages faking emergencies or fooling the caller like, “Hello (pause) Hello (pause) I can’t hear you because I’m not home.” No one wants to work with someone who goes out of their way to make other people feel dumb.



• While you and your whole family find Junior’s cute little voice absolutely adorable saying “Mommy and Daddy can’t come to the phone now” a potential boss will likely hear it as foreshadowing for calling in when Junior is ill and asking for last minute vacation days.



• Remember that time is money and you’re wasting both for a recruiter if you play an entire song before getting to the beep. Likewise it could be an automatic rejection if your music selection is extremely loud, offensive, or profane. As a job seeker, even if it is clever to use Lionel Richie’s Hello as an intro it’s best to skip the musical messages altogether.

In general it’s best to stick to a simple professional standard like, “Hello, this is (your full name). I am unable to answer my phone at this time. If you will please leave your name, number, and a brief message I will return your call promptly. Thank you.”

Make sure you speak in a clear and even tone. The interviewer will take note of your strong phone skills before you ever speak to them.

Are you looking for a job in the Philadelphia area? Visit PhillyJobs for the latest in area job openings.

By Heather Fairchild - Heather is a multimedia developer, business owner, annd wor from home mom.