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Outgoing Answering Messages, the Phone and Your Job Hunt
April 3, 2008 · 6 Comments

Photo by The GC FourIt’s not rocket science – potential employers and everyone else will judge you based on anything you offer them.Â
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A typo on your resume? You’re careless.Â
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Unkempt appearance? You’re a slob.Â
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Unprofessional phone greeting? You’re unprofessional!
Since no one wants to hire someone who is unprofessional, take the time to make this very easy check of your outgoing phone greeting.
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Does it contain music?
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Are there childrens’ voices?
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Is there background noise?
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Does it make an effort at humor? Is it “cute?”
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Is it political? Religious?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, stop everything you are doing - change it now!
Record a basic, easy to hear greeting: “Hello, you have reached April Showers. Please leave a message and I will return your call. Thank you.”
Listen to the greeting. Is it garbled? Did you rush it, as if you were escaping a fire but wanted to record the message first? Re-do it! Ask your hard-of-hearing neighbor to call and listen. Does he understand what you said? If so, you are golden!
Now, don’t get me started on kids, family members or roomates who answer the phone and don’t relay messages. Or who tell the caller that you’re stuck under the car trying to rescue the cat. Or in the bathroom, and you won’t be out for a LONG time.Â
Try to give out a number on your resume that only you or a trusted adult will answer. Usually, that is a mobile number. Many of us answer our phones whenever they ring – even when we are driving or in the middle of a mob of screaming baseball fans. If you are job hunting, be aware that trying to scream, “I can’t HEAR you” or cursing the driver who just cut you off as you are picking up your phone does not offer the impression you want to give your prospective employer.
Once your resume is out there, be aware that any time the phone rings, it might be your dream job on the line. If you’re in a bad or loud spot – let it go to voice mail (to your nice, clear, professional greeting), listen to the message and call back as soon as possible. You (and the caller) will be glad you did.
Need help with your job hunt? Resume needs updating? Don’t know where to start? Keppie Careers will coach you every step of the way: www.keppiecareers.com.
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- Prepare your references for job search success
- Use SlideShare to demonstrate your expertise – and a free resource
- Making lemonade out of a layoff
- Finding the silver lining in job search – Altruistic Tuesdays!

Article by Miriam Salpeter
Miriam Salpeter, author of Social Networking for Career Success, is a CNN-named "top 10 job tweeter" and contributor to U.S. News & World Report's "On Careers" column. Quoted in major media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and NBC news for her cutting-edge career advice, Miriam is an in-demand writer and speaker regarding job search and social media. She offers custom packages for job seekers and business owners, including transforming resumes and creating social media profiles/personal websites for clients. Keppie Careers has you covered. Let's get started!
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