Yes, we know, it’s the 21st century, and who leaves professional voicemails anymore except for telemarketers and debt collectors?
The truth is, that even though email correspondence is increasingly becoming the norm, calls and voicemails aren’t going anywhere, at least not yet.
Like Jerry says in the video below, if you’re looking for a job or are in the process of making a career change, the smart thing to do is to always have a clear, concise, and professional voicemail greeting.
Professional Reach
If a recruiter or a hiring manager is trying to contact you for a job opportunity, then the last thing you want is to have a greeting that might make you sound unprofessional, and potentially lose out on a really great opportunity.
The rule of thumb is that when you’re on the hunt for a new job, you should answer any and all phone calls that come through. However, since we know that life happens, at the very least, you should have a proper voicemail greeting, and (this is important, so listen up) MAKE SURE YOUR INBOX IS EMPTY!
Furthermore, don’t have a full inbox; not only does it make you look irresponsible and inconsiderate for not checking your voicemails, but you also lose out on what could have been your next job.
Voicemail Format
Additionally, if you’re unsure of what to include in your voicemail greeting, a good rule of thumb is to have your name, phone number, and if possible, an alternative way to reach you.
While this may seem like a silly thing to worry about, the reality is that you can never be too careful. The applicant pool for jobs is saturated, and in order for you to be considered, you have to be overly prepared.
Hiring managers pour over applicants and applications all day long. Make yourself stand out in any way that you can. You never know what can be the deciding factor between getting an interview or not.
In this #AskJerry episode, we teach you why having a professional voicemail greeting is still as important as it was 15 years ago.
In this collaboration with Jerry, Upkey offers fun & engaging tips that help students become more confident and ready for the professional world.
Have a question for Jerry? Feel free to leave it in the comment section below!👇
Use our Free Upkey services and move up the career ladder with #askjerry!
