Leaving An Effective Phone Message

Even with all the different ways to contact employers, the telephone is still one of the most effective methods available.  Nothing can replace the certainty that comes with hearing the inflection of a person's voice.  It helps eliminate those "What do they mean by that?" questions.  But what happens if nobody picks up the phone?

Leaving a phone message for an employer remains one of the most difficult things for a job seeker.  It's all too easy to stumble on your words or go off on long tangents.  The key to a successful voicemail is to leave it short and sweet.  Recruiters are very busy people, and they don't have the time or patience to listen to long-winded messages.  Here are the only things you need to include in a voicemail:

• Your name (twice-once at the beginning and once at the end).
• Your phone number (repeated twice at the end, slowly).
• A reminder of your previous interaction with the individual.
• A reiteration of your interest in the job.
• A pleasant closing.

You also need to make sure to keep an upbeat tone throughout the message.  Practice it beforehand to make sure you don't drift into a monotone.  Trust me, there's no better way to bore a listener then sounding bored yourself.  When the recruiter comes back to your name as a possible candidate, you want them to remember you in a positive light.

Have any other tips for a great voicemail?  Let us know in the comments section.