The telephone is one of the most powerful tools at the disposal of legal recruiters.  But many recruiters feel like getting the voicemail is the equivalent of having someone hang up on them.  What’s the fear? The worry some recruiters have is that not only will their voicemail messages get no response but that they won’t even be heard.  But for the legal recruiters with a solid voicemail strategy, the voicemail doesn’t feel like an insurmountable obstacle.  Let’s take a look at a few solid voicemail strategies that can increase a recruiter’s callbacks:

1. Grab your prospects attention in the first 10 seconds of the phone call. Don’t waste time telling them about what you want or need, jump right into how they will benefit from calling you back.  Keep your message brief and make sure that it’s well thought out before you pick up the phone. A matter of fact, recruiters should create a short script of what they will say if they get the voicemail.
2. Make sure that you sound upbeat and enthusiastic when you leave a voicemail message for your prospect.  Smiling while you’re talking can make your voice seem more pleasant, so don’t forget to “say cheese” when leaving your message.
3. Don’t try to put every minute detail into your voicemail message.  Convey to the listener all of the key information they need to know, the same information that will prompt them to pick up the phone and return your call.
4. Use the prospects name and personalize your message as much as possible. Try to avoid sounding like one of those automated telemarketing robots that everyone hangs up on.  Let the prospect know that this message is just for them.