Guerrilla Voicemails Help Your Job Search

(This blog posting is by the Grand Guerrilla himself, David Perry. Enjoy!)

Voicemail can be a blessing and a curse in your job search.

A blessing, for the time it can save you. A curse, for all those message you’ve left that went unanswered by employers.

So let’s break that curse, by leaving voicemails that employers are COMPELLED to return.
  
First, let’s look at typical unsuccessful voicemails that typical job hunters leave with employers. Here’s an example:

“Hi, my name is ___________ I am a ______________ with ________ experience in __________ I would like to meet with you to discuss how my experience can benefit your company.”

This was made popular 15 years ago during a severe shortage of employees. It does NOT work anymore, despite how recently you may have read about it. Employers hear this generic message dozens of times a week; during a recession, perhaps hundreds of times.

Other lame voicemails include these:

• Did you get me resume?
• Did you read my resume? When can we meet?
• This is my third message. Would you please return my call?

Honestly, would you return any of these? Neither would I.

There is no compelling reason to call those people back. There’s nothing in it for you.  And you know by now that a job search is not about you — it’s about what you can do for the employer. This point is critical when it comes to leaving voicemail messages, whether you are calling to set up an initial meeting or following up after an interview.

So, how do you leave voicemails that set you apart from the thousands of other candidates?

First, construct your messages well before picking up the phone to call. When confronted with voicemail, most people just blurt out the first thing they think of. Like the examples above, they are meek, self-serving, and ineffective.

A good voicemail, however, tells the employer who you are and makes it clear why it’s in their best interest to return your call. 

Tip: The first words out of your mouth should be the employer’s last name. When people start a voicemail by saying, “Mr. Perry …” I listen. Hearing my name halts my train of thought and I automatically listen. It’s almost a Pavlovian reaction. So make your first words must be their last name.

Now that you have their attention, tell them who is calling — give them your phone number.

Why? Because when people listen to voicemail, they usually have a pen and paper ready to take notes. Telling them your name and number upfront prompts them to write them down immediately. If you wait until the end of your message to leave your name and number, employers have the option to NOT write them down, which works against you!

So, their name and your phone number must come at the start of your voicemail.

Your task today is to create 3 voicemail scripts to use in your job search. They will be based on the accomplishments in your Guerrilla Resume. 
 
Let’s use Bob to illustrate. Bob’s resume had these 3 bullet points for accomplishments:

• Developed new tooling method (process and software), which increased yield by 50%, saving JDS $12.5M/year.
• Redesigned and improved Filter Tuning process, which increased Yield from 45% to 85%, saving JDS $10M/year.
• Designed full NPI process flow with checkpoints and approvals, which eliminated catastrophic failures, saving on average $10K/week.

Using Bob’s first bullet point, I can create three versions of voicemail scripts he will need. They are similar, but have three different uses:

1. Cold Call;
2. Referral; and
3. Follow up call after an interview.

So, Bob’s voicemail scripts would be … I’ll tell you the answer IF you’ll do a quick favor for me first

If you’ve read my new book, Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters 2.0 or seen me at one of the job hunting seminars I’m doing across the country, you’re qualified to comment on my ideas and get your free voicemail scripts. All you have to do is post a 5-star review for my book on Amazon.com.

Post your review on Amazon, email a copy to me (dperry -at- perrymartel.com), and I will email you the voicemail scripts. And, YES, these have been field tested by (and produced job interviews for) actual clients this year.

Deadline: This offer ends at midnight September 27th, 2009. I’ll be on the road from the 20th until the 25th, so expect a delay in my getting back to you.

BONUS: I’ll give 10 more voicemail scripts to the first 50 people who respond, including these:

1. Trying to arrange an initial networking contact/meeting/phone call
2. Following up on a job you’ve applied to, but have not been called to interview for
3. Following up after a job interview — remember, with every call, GIVE EMPLOYERS ONE MORE REASON TO HIRE YOU

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009 at 11:45 am and is filed under job search tips. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.