How To NOT Get A Job (2nd in Series): Voice Messages As Cartoon Characters

How To NOT Get A Job (2nd in Series): Voice Messages As Cartoon Characters
By Charlene Holsendorff

It was my first time calling this new client. The phone rang once. Twice. Three times. I poised in anticipation of his voice message.

I got an ear full of a gruff, matter-of-fact command: "You know the drill. Do it!"

I stared momentarily at the handset, stupefied. No personal identification. No suggestion that he might possibly call back. Just do it, since apparently I know the drill. Beep! My gut reaction was to hang up, indignant. (I know consultant colleagues who would've done so instantaneously).

In that split second, though, I decided to proceed with leaving a message because I was determined to alert this guy to how he's shooting his job search squarely in the foot. Could I not have just as easily been an HR person, a company decision maker, a recruiter calling?

YOUR VERBAL BRAND MESSAGE

Inasmuch as today's job search has evolved into a marketing campaign of promoting yourself to employers, job seekers must be mindful that how you communicate - both written and verbal - is part of your Brand, how you are seen and defined by others. Your Brand, after all, speaks to your professionalism (or lack thereof) and fortifies (or derails) your credibility.

Just like major companies and products, building and protecting your Brand is paramount. The components of your brand include your verbal, written and visual presentation. One component of your verbal presentation is your phone voice message. (In upcoming posts we'll continue discussions into other components of a compelling Brand.)

So, you're looking for a job. Hopefully, you're making new networking contacts, re-connecting with previous contacts, developing job leads. The fact that you're not working doesn't mean that your professional self is on hiatus.

Your Job Search Voice Message Should Include:

Introduction: Your Full Name*

That you can't take the call right now

Invitation for caller to leave a message

That the caller can expect a return call

*If this is the residential family phone, state the family name, i.e.: "This is the Walker residence" or "This is Mr. & Mrs. Walker" or "This is the Jones/Walker residence." Don't say, for example, "This is Sandy and Bob Walker." Maintain a business approach in your phone Introduction.

THAT'S ALL FOLKS!

Then there's the time I called the client whose voice message was an impersonation of Mickey Mouse. Yes, Mickey (Disney icon) Mouse!

"Hi! Ha-ha! This is George. Ha-ha!" His falsetto voice sliced squarely into my disbelief. I found myself staring, yet again, at another telephone handset totally incredulous!

"Leave a message! I'll get back to ya. Yep, I will! Ha-ha!"

Can you hear him... Mickey?!

How can I approach this gentleman and keep his dignity intact while at the same time sending the firm message to STOP TALKING LIKE A CARTOON CHARACTER if you want to get a job! I'm not terribly surprised that he hasn't yet returned my call.

Request a complimentary Resume evaluation or Coaching information by emailing Charlene at: chrleneh@verizon.net. Request FREE "Job Search Success Pointers."
Check out Charlene's LinkedIn profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/charleneholsendorff.
Check out Charlene's Blog: http://SlicingBananas.com.

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