It is important that the voicemail greeting be brief but also action oriented. Do you want your caller to leave you a message? Or perhaps they should call another extension to reach an assistant or office manager in your absence? Get to know the business phone system that you are using and take advantage of its features. Some phone systems allow the caller to press a digit, such as 0 to transfer to another extension rather than having to end the call and dial another extension. This type of function can be extremely useful, especially if other people in the office can handle the calls that are incoming to your phone while you are away from your desk, or out of the office.
The invention of the smart phone changed the use and perception of telephone calls. Not only did mobile phones make home phones unnecessary for many, but the ability to send and receive text messages or emails on a smart phone made calls themselves feel unnecessary. Even in many workplaces, answering the phone is now either impossible due to nonstop time demands or discouraged by company cultures that prioritize digital communication. Whereas calls once stood out as important and sometimes fun, more people find them time-consuming and frustrating.

Your phone system greeting is the first thing callers hear. Set the right tone from the very start with professional greetings.
“Hey there! This is [name] at [XYZ company]. Thank you for calling. I can’t take your call right now but if you leave your name, contact info and reason for calling, I’ll call you back right away. Take care and speak with you soon!”