Leaving a Phone Message 101

Networking can easily be done through the Internet but there are times in which a phone call may be required. Reaching out to a potential contact or employer always requires a good first impression over the phone.

Talking on the phone isn't hard but there are several items to consider when leaving a voicemail:

• The message needs to be direct and clear
• A concise message can get your intention across than a long dragged out message
• Not speaking clearly can hinder your chances of getting a response from the desired contact 

Below are some tips on leaving a phone message:

1. Make it concise and to the point - state your name, where you obtained the contact's name from, your intention and a phone number. It doesn't have to be long and dragged out. Making it too long can lead to confusion on the other end
2. Speak clearly - how do you feel when someone leaves you a phone message you can't understand?  You probably did not want to call that person back because you could not understand what the person was saying
3. Leave a contact number - you will be surprised how often people forget to leave a phone number on a message. Make sure the person can call you back. Don't assume the person has caller ID