Could Voice Mail Be Sabotaging Your Job Search?

I recently phoned a client who is actively looking for work and his answering machine picked up. I was greeted by a chorus of young children singing “Here Comes Peter Cottontail.” The musical greeting was bad enough, but it’s October – the Easter Bunny has long come and gone!
This is just one example of the many greetings I, recruiters, and employers encounter when calling job candidates. Apparently, having ones children (or pets!) record the greeting is popular, because I have encountered many variations of this theme. Another popular greeting is the one that came programmed with the phone that sounds like a robot stating “Please – Leave – A- Message” without inflection, emotion or critical information. (I rarely oblige, as I am not certain I have reached the correct household).On some occassions, I have encountered a “greeting” informing me that the recipient has “call blocking” and I am not permitted an opportunity to leave a message. Is it any wonder some job seekers rarely are called for interviews?

Next time you are away from home and you know that there is no one there to answer the phone, call your number and listen – with a critical ear – to your greeting. Do the same with your cell phone number if you are also using this on your resume or other job search documents.
Is this the first impression you want to give a prospective employer? While you are in job-search mode, monitor how your phone is answered – by voice mail and other’s in your household – and ensure that employers perceive you as the type of professional they are hoping to hire.
“Hello, you have reached 301-555-1212. This is Jane Doe. Your call is very important to me; so please leave your name, number and a good time to reach you and I will return your call within 24 hours. Thank you.”
By Norine Dagliano and courtesy of CareerHub.com. The Career Hub blog connects job seekers with experts in career counseling, resume writing, personal branding and recruiting.