"When closing your voicemail, say that if you do not hear from them in three days, you promise to call back. Three days later, start your voicemail (or live call if you reach the person) with, 'As promised, I am calling again to share...' Close with, 'If you haven't had a chance to return my call, I promise to call back in two days.' Two days later, call back and open with, 'As promised, I am calling back...' The message you are sending is that you keep your promises!"
I have a confession to make: I haven’t recorded a new voicemail greeting since 2014. In the past four years, I (hopefully) have become more articulate, poised, and self-assured. But hear my voicemail recording, and you’d think I was still new to the work world, a little unsure of myself — and probably not an authority. Obviously I need toupdate it. And if you haven’t changed your voicemail greeting in over a year, you’re likely in the same boat. After all, a professional voicemail recording boosts your credibility, makes you seem more competent, and encourages whoever’s listening to it to continue the relationship. A relatively unprofessional one — like mine, for instance — does the opposite: It encourages prospects, recruiters, and potential connections to run in the other direction. With that in mind, I’ve written 18 unique voicemail greetings for every situation. Pick your favorite, practice a few times, then record your new voicemail.
