Leaving An Effective Voice Mail Message
A voice mail message may be your first interaction with a networking contact or employer. Take time to learn these basic guidelines to make it effective, professional and respectful of the person's busy schedule.
- Keep it short (30 seconds or less).
- Deliver only your name, reason for calling, the best times to reach you, and your phone number.
- Show some understanding of how busy your contact is--it will increase your chances for a return call.
- Choose a brief description of yourself that will pique your contact's interest.
- Never leave a message indicating that you are job seeking and expect a callback.
- If you leave a cell phone number, be aware that you may be receiving professional calls on your cell phone and answer accordingly.
- Be sure your voice mail message on your phone is appropriate for a networking contact or potential employer to hear.
| Not Effective/Detrimental | Average | Effective | Most Effective |
Length | 90 - 120 seconds | 60 – 90 seconds | 30 to 60 seconds | 30 seconds or less
|
Clarity
| Difficult to understand; (0-1) pieces of information: __ name __ reason for calling __ best time to be reached __ phone number | Provided minimal information (1-2): __ name __ reason for calling __ best time to be reached __ phone number | Provided some information (2-3): __ name __ reason for calling __ best time to be reached __ phone number | Clearly provided (all 4): __ name __ reason for calling __ best time to be reached __ phone number
|
Amount of information provided | Way too much information; overwhelming for the listener. | Pertinent information was hidden in extraneous information. | Used a lengthy description of self. | Used a brief description of self to pique interest.
|
Action requested
| Indicated seeking a job/ internship and expect a callback.
| No action requested. | Requested action is not clear. | Requested information and a time to talk/meet. |
