To my budding entrepreneurs (and really everyone, especially if you’re looking for a job), Listen up: SET UP YOUR VOICEMAIL!
When I call someone back about a business matter or a job application and hear that generic, pre-recorded message that comes with the phone, I immediately wonder if I called the right person. Not that I always want to leave a message, but I would like reassurance that the right person sees I called so I can confidently mark the task “completed” on my To-Do list.
Now, if I am calling someone new, who may not have my contact information saved, I may very well want to leave a message and it’s just plain awkward to say, “this message is for so and so…” when I’m not even sure I’ve reached them.
But the very, very, worst offense: a FULL voicemail inbox!
First Impressions Matter
I’m continually amazed at the job applicants who give me a callback number that doesn’t work or has the above issues. Those applicants go immediately into the trash bin.
Poor phone etiquette sends its own kind of message. It can imply, whether its true or not, that you’re lazy, inconsiderate, technologically-challenged, disorganized, or behind.
I really can’t think of anything good that comes from not setting up your voice mail properly.
A good voice mail greeting is short and simple. State your name, possibly your company name and anything of importance. For that matter, you don’t even need to say “leave a message” if you don’t want to; we already know what to do at the beep.
About the Author
Kerry McCoy founded FlagandBanner.com in 1975 with just $400 and a dream, building it from door-to-door flag sales into a multi-million dollar enterprise. With over five decades in the American flag and banner business, her insights into patriotic trends and flag sales patterns come from serving customers nationwide during times of celebration, crisis, and everything in between.
Kerry is also the host of “Up in Your Business with Kerry McCoy” radio show and continues expanding her business empire through Kerry McCoy Enterprises while sharing the entrepreneurial wisdom gained from decades of building the American dream.
