things realized while checking voicemail

1. Don't start with hey it's me - sometimes a voice is hard to place. Also, giving your name is a good idea so i know who i'm calling.
2. If during the message it gives a better alternative like it, email go with that, the voicemail knows what it's talking about.
3. If they don't return the first two of your calls it's best to assume they may never call you back. And continued calls won't work.
4. Don't say 'hey i'm also going to leave you an email too...' - it wastes time for you both.
5. If you say call me back you should probably leave your phone number, it makes calling you back a lot easier.
6. If your message is more than 30 seconds and it says leave an email just do email i don't want a war and peace length message.
7. If you calls and emails go unanswered resorting to phone stalking isn't going to start working for you suddenly.
8. Hang up before the beep.
9. Even if you start out weak on the message with a lot of um's and then dead silence, don't hang up and then call back.
10. Have a clue to why you are leaving the message (see #9.)
11. Don't threaten on voicemail, you just look like a jerk.
12. Not to be rude, but your life story isn't always appropriate to be recited on voicemail. And the stirrings for sympathy even if deserved doesn't really translate to voicemail very well.
13. Make sure you hang up the phone before making any opinions you may have.
14. When leaving your phone number it is always a good idea to go over your phone # slowly, some people may write slow.
15. If the message says 'questions involving individual inquires on... will not be returned' -those receiving the message won't call you back.
16. If you hear a beep and then silence, it might be a good idea not to swear and curse to the person in the room with you about those you were just calling- if you haven't hung the phone up they CAN hear you. You then may be subject to #17.
17. If you say ridiculous things be prepared that your message may at some point be played aloud to a room of co-workers or strangers, and they probably will either be laughing at you, or discussing your jerk factor. It may be unprofessional i know, but sometimes that can lighten the room.
18. F/U (follow ups) may not be ideal if they are sent via voicemail, emails seem to work better for all.
19. Depending on who you are leaving the message for saying 'it's Wednesday' doesn't help especially since there are 52 Wednesdays a year.


Up next my do's and don'ts when looking for jobs. This may take awhile since i have a lot, and many good ones' and want to remember them all, or at least the best of.