So, you diligently practice this presentation, yet when you call, all you get is a voicemail. You will have to decide whether to leave a voicemail – it is debatable. Try your own experiment to see what works. I recommend leaving voicemails.
However, I would not leave a voicemail until I had called that hiring authority many times. Only after I conclude that it is unlikely that I’ll ever catch this person, would I leave a voicemail. The script for leaving a voicemail is not much different from the script for a live conversation:
“Mr./Ms. Smith. My name is Sally Jones. My phone number is <speak number>. I’m a recent college <graduate, etc.> with a degree in _________. I’m offering hard work, determination, passion and commitment to an excellent employer like you.
I would like a chance to meet with you. Again, this is Sally Jones and my phone number is <speak number>. Please call me; I’d like to meet with you at your earliest convenience.”
I like to say my phone number very early so the person can hear it again quickly by starting the message over and does not have to listen to your entire message again to hear the number. But do repeat your telephone number at the end of the message at least once and speak very s-l-o-w-l-y so the person can write it down as they listen. If you don’t get a response to your first voicemail, don’t hesitate to record a similar message once a week for two or three weeks. This sounds a bit excessive, but my experience has been that if there is even the slightest chance of meeting someone now or even in the near future, this kind of message will get their attention.
After leaving four or five messages without receiving a response, you should stop calling – at least for now. Don’t expect the courtesy of a call back from a hiring authority. Unless they have a need for someone like you, it is not likely that they will call you back. Don’t take it personally.
