The Voicemail to Ensure a Candidate Calls Back

This is a rough guess, but it feels like more companies are accessing job board sites, searching for candidates, and contacting them for their next opening.


Its a great strategy (and part of what I do to find candidates) but it can be a clammy and uncomfortable call.

You wouldn't think so on the surface. You have a job, they need one or are interested in a new one, so what's the problem?

My guess is that the issue is that people on the job boards receive so many calls already for underpaying jobs, work at home gigs, and commission only sales jobs. Throw in telemarketing calls, and by the time they receive your call, their guard is up, and they need to be reassured that your opportunity is legit.

Here is a checklist of three things to include in your message to make sure your call is returned. I call it my "ility" list. (Trademark Pending)

1) Show company stability. In an era of layoffs and wage reductions, can your company offer or have a plan in place to ensure jobs created can be kept? Please be as specific as possible.

2) Offer flexibility. Everyone has obligations outside of the workplace. Kids, appointments, second jobs, and household needs. As long is work completed, can you help an employee meet those obligations?

3) Talk about mobility. Nobody wants to do the same job forever. Does your organization reward overachievers with new positions?

I got battered with horrible callback rates when I started at QPS, but slowly more voicemails have been returned. Do you have a phrase or line that you use that gets people to pick up the phone?

Here is a sample voicemail:

"Hello! My name is Dave Summerfield with XYZ Company. I work as a recruiter and our company is recruiting for a Manufacturing Engineer. In 2009, much like many manufacturers, our sales were down, but we have not experienced a layoff since 2001. We pride ourselves on offering a flexible schdule for our team-members and celebrated 13 promotions among our staff of 65 people over the last two years. I can be reached at_____ Thx!"