As a recruiter, you know that the telephone is the number one tool in snagging the best candidates and clients.  And like most recruiters, you probably believe that your rate of cold calling success would increase dramatically if only we could BAN voicemail.  It's never going to happen.  Let's face it, voicemail is designed to take messages; but it is also a barrier that keeps unwanted calls at bay.  But voicemail doesn't have to be an obstacle for the informed and skilled recruiter.  Let's take a look at some actions recruiters can take to increase their voicemail callback rate:

1.    Keep it short and powerful.  A recruiter's voicemail message should be designed to persuade the listener to return the call and the message should be no longer than 30 seconds.

2.    Make a request; ask the prospect to take an action.  Don't leave a voicemail simply saying, "I just called to let you know about…"  You need to ask the prospect to do something. Be direct.

3.    Use the prospect's name.  When you leave a voicemail message make sure that you use the prospect's name in the beginning of the message and at the end.  There have been several psychological studies done that suggest that a person is more likely to respond positively to an action request, if their name is used.  For example, "Ms. Sheila Clark, please call us today to schedule an appointment."  

4.    Sound upbeat. Drink lots of water between calls and smile when you're leaving your message.