Job Search – Do Your Email Address and Voicemail Message Help Your Job Search?

Your email address and voice mail message are part of your personal brand – they send a message about you to potential employers. When you are applying to jobs you need to make sure that they say the right things.

You need to have a professional looking email address and a voice mail message that sounds warm and friendly but also business like. Jokey email addresses, and those which look like they are meant for a family, are not going to work to your advantage. Exactly the same thing goes for your voice mail message – this is not the time for that celebrity voice – nor friendly family greetings or jokes. An employer will consider an unprofessional voicemail message like this means you are not professional in your approach.

Here are some guidelines to getting it right!

Voicemail message

1. Before you record your message think about what you are going to say – it can be a good idea to write your message down
2. Include your name in the message, mention you’re unavailable to answer the phone. Then ask them to leave their name, number and message, and say you will get back to them as soon as possible. (Then do that, of course)
3. Keep it simple. For example, “Hi, this is Simon Jones. I’m sorry I’m unable to take your call now, but please leave your name, number and message after the tone and I’ll return your call as soon as possible. Thank you.”
4. Take time and trouble recording your message – find a quiet place with no background noise of any kind
5. Speak clearly, and sound professional and polite when recording your greeting.
6. If you want to be taken seriously avoid background noise including the sound of the family, joke messages and any kind of gimmick.

Email address

1. Consider creating a new email address specifically for your job search. This will help to prioritize your job search emails.
2. If possible, include your name in your email address, for example firstname.lastname@abc.com. That will make it much easier for a potential employer to find your emails in their inbox or folder.
3. You could create an email address that corresponds to the work you do or your profession, for example simonjonesprojectmanager@abc.com if is appropriate.
4. Make sure your email address is as simple, logical and easy to type as possible – long strings of numbers may well generate mistakes. That might mean you lose out on a precious job offer.

Your email address and voicemail message are key to your personal brand in your job search. Keep them clear, simple and professional. Then they will increase, not decrease, the chances of you being contacted by an employer.
In job search, paying attention to these small details can greatly improve your prospects of being hired.

I have started a new Job Search Group on LinkedIn where you will find lots of tips and other resources in due course – you can join it by clicking here 

Wendy is the The Career Coach – helping you to find fresh perspectives on your Job Search and Career.  Career Coach. Wendy, helps you work towards your goals and aspirations, in a way that fits in with both work and home life. Email her at wendymason@wisewolfcoaching.com,  find her on Skype at wendymason14, or call +44 (0) 2081239146 (02081239146 for UK callers) or +1 262 317 9016 if you are in the US.

CV review and interview preparation and coaching to improve your confidence and self esteem are a speciality

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