If you are in a job search, I'm sure you will have to leave countless voice mail messages. Here are some very simple guidelines to help ensure the person receiving your call will return it.
1. Speak slowly and crisply so that you can be understood. Don't speak 100 miles per hour. No one has the time to play a voice message over countless times to understand the message. Speak slowly, pause every now and then, speak clearly and loud.
2. Pronounce your name distinctly - spell it if appropriate. Announce your telephone number two times, at the beginning and end of message so the person doesn't have to listen to a long message to retrieve your phone number. Here's an example: "This is JoAnn Nix (N-I-X). My number is xxx-xxx-xxx. I am calling about....."
3. Above all else, state your phone number SLOWLY. I listen to countless voice mail messages a day, and I have to replay many of them several times in order to write the number.
4. Another smart thing to do is to let the caller know when you are available. I know we are all busy, and everyone hates telephone tag. Just be specific, "I may be reached between the hours of 8 and 12 Monday morning and after 4 Monday afternoon." Be sure to state your time zone!
5. Exude a sense of confidence and professionalism. Let someone hear you "smile!"
These are all very simple rules, but the fact is most people ignore the courteous guidelines. They try to speak 100 miles an hour to say a lot in a few seconds. But, you won't get a return phone call if you don't speak slowly and clearly enough for someone to understand your name and telephone number. No one is going to return a call when they don't even know who they will be calling back. :)
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