by Gwen Harrison, CPRW, NCRW
Advanced Resumes & Career Strategies
Most job seekers know that, in dealing with potential employers, first impressions and presenting a professional image are very important. One thing many people overlook, however, are the job search issues related to telephone contacts and voice mail (or answering machine) greetings.
First, it’s important to provide potential employers with a phone number where they can easily reach you. One of my resume clients only provided one phone number where I could contact her. Every time I tried to contact this client, I got a busy signal because, as I eventually discovered, this person spent hundreds of hours a month on the Internet. What this person didn’t realize is that potential employers usually have numerous qualified applicants for any given position. If you’re not easy to reach by phone, they’ll just call the next person on the list.
If your phone line is frequently in use, consider having another phone line installed. Check with your local phone company for monthly rates and installation costs. Another solution is to subscribe to your local phone company’s voice mail service. This service usually costs less than $10 per month, and will answer your calls when your phone line is being used. The sound quality is better than regular answering machines, and the service still answers your calls when the power goes out. Other alternatives include cell phones with voice mail, and companies that provide voice mail service for a reasonable monthly fee.
Second, if you’re currently employed but actively seeking another job, in most situations it’s best not to put your work number on your resume. Some hiring agents take a negative view of applicants who will accept employment calls at work, on their current employer’s time.
Third, since none of us can wait by the phone for potential employers to call us, it’s important to have a quality voice mail service (or answering machine) with a professional, brief, and businesslike greeting. In the course of contacting clients, I’ve listened to some very interesting voice mail and answering machine greetings. One client put on quite a performance in an attempt to impersonate James Brown, literally screaming / singing “Aow! I feel good!” at the beginning of his message. I’m sure his friends and family loved it–I found it quite entertaining myself–but such a recording does not convey the right message to potential employers. Other messages have contained incorrect grammar, including the word “ain’t.”
No matter what type of job you’re seeking, it’s important to have a grammatically correct, brief, and professional voice mail (or answering machine) greeting. Compose your message in print before you record it. Be sure to identify who the caller has reached (i.e., “You have reached the home of John Doe,” or “You have reached 555-5555.”). Practice reading your message until you can do it without sounding like you’re reading a script. Enunciate clearly, and speak loudly enough for the caller to hear you–but not too loud. Don’t play music or any other sounds in the background, as this can detract from your caller’s ability to hear and understand your message.
After recording, check the quality of your message by calling your home from another number and listening to your message. It may require several “takes” to get it right, but it’s well worth the effort. Just like a professionally prepared resume, it’s an investment in your career—and your future.