by Marina Sarmiento Feehan, Asst. Director of Employer Relations
As Fall On-Campus Interview season (OCI) arrives, here's a quick tip on how to leave a professional voice-mail. Most legal employers will call you to arrange an interview. As a former hiring attorney, I'm always surprised when I receive a voice mail message that sounds like this:
Thisis Mgarblegarble, mumbojumbo number mumber call me.
I have no idea who the caller is, what she wants, or how I'm supposed to get into touch with her. Make a favorable impression on a legal employer by following these simple steps on how to leave a professional organized voice message:
1. State your name, slowly and clearly.
2. State your telephone number, slowly and clearly.
3. Repeat your telephone number, clearly.
4. If appropriate, also state your e-mail address, slowly and clearly.
5. Explain why you are calling.
6. Request the action that you would like from the person you are calling.
7. State your name again one more time, thanking the person; hang up.
A well-crafted voice mail message means that the person is able to actually find what you need or take care of the situation before getting back into touch with you. The best voice mail messages won't even need a call in return. Here are a few examples:
Hi, this is Erin Grady from USF School of Law. My telephone number is 5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5. Again that's, (555) 555-5555. You can also reach me by e-mail at email at email dot com. I'm returning Ms. Recruiting Director's phone call. The best times to reach me are HOURS. Again, this is Erin Grady and I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you.
OR:
Hello, my name is James Merriweather and I'm calling to check on the status of my job application. I can be reach at 5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5. Again, that is (555)555-5555. Or you can reach me via email at email at email.com. I turned my application in a few weeks ago and I am very interested in the position. Thank you for your time. Again, this is James Merriweather and I look forward to hearing from you.
