Workbook 6 - Literacy Link South Central

Essential Skills Tip: Reading• Read information about voice mail and phone messagesIf you do not have children at home or you are confident that you or yourvoicemail will pick up the phone, here are a few tips.The interview begins as soon as the employer makes contact. Even the employermight not know it, but he or she begins the interview process as soon as you oryour voicemail answers the phone. Do you sound confident and positive? Theemployer is trying to decide whether or not you “sound right.”Make sure that your voicemail message is very professional. Here are the basicparts of a good voicemail message:• Short greeting• Your name• Statement that you cannot take the call right now• Invitation to leave a message• When they can expect you to call back• No longer than 20 to 25 secondsSpeak clearly and smile. Practise leaving a message in a confident and happytone.If you are not ready to answer, let voicemail pick up the message. Did the phonewake you up? Or do you have to run up two flights of stairs to get to a cordlesshandset? You may choose not to answer the phone. You want to sound energetic,keen and confident when you speak to a prospective employer. It might be abetter option to let your professional voicemail take a message than for you toappear at a disadvantage – particularly if this is your first verbal contact with theemployer.When you are getting ready for a job interview, a phone call is usually your firstverbal contact with the employer. By preparing ahead of time you stand a betterchance of making a good first impression.18