PHONE ETIQUETTE - PLEASE!

It happened again. I had only a few minutes between appointments to grab my phone messages. Someone interested in coaching services had decided to leave a 3-minute drawling summary of his career situation and then zipped off his phone number as if I were a stenographer typing 150 miles a minute! No way could I write down his rapidly fired number without listening to it 3 times! That meant I had to replay the drawling summary 3 times, too. What a waste of my time!

Please... When you are in a job search - or whenever you use the phone - consider the person who listens to your phone message. Make it brief leaving only the simplest facts to convey your reason for calling. But more than that, s l o w l y speak your phone number, then repeat it so the listener does not have to re-listen to your message. This will not only make a good impression on the listener, but will enhance your chances of having your call returned.

Read other Job Search Tips to help get your career in gear!