7. “Hi, this is [your name]. I’m either on a call or away from my desk. Please leave your name, number, and a brief message and I’ll get back to you. Thank you.”
Your alternate greeting lets callers know that they have reached the correct mailbox and hear a brief message from you. Often, this message specifies when you will return and provides contact information for the person or people who can help callers during your absence. To record your alternate greeting: Unity Voicemail Transition Page Unity Voicemail FAQ page Using VoicemailConnect to Voicemail Check for New Messages Manage Your Greetings Change Your PIN Transfer Call to Another Voicemail Box Using the Online Voicemail Portal Explore all services Cloud Solutions Q&As Get started with IT Practice secure computing Technology Toolkit for Telecommuting and Remote Work IT perks Find answers Request something Get help View system and project status Browser recommendations Stanford Home Maps & Directions Search Stanford Emergency Info Terms of Use Privacy Copyright Trademark Non-Discrimination Accessibility Admissions Academics Financial Aid Campus Life Athletics About UNI Support UNI UNI Bookstore Calendar eLearning A-Z Index Rod Library Email MyUNIverse Directory Jobs@UNI

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The simple truth is that you need to be more aware of what you’re leaving for other people to hear. Sure, this doesn’t always register as a priority for users, but it’s never too late to reassess your greeting. a. Reading/Speaking in the Imperfect Tone: Tone is absolutely everything. Users don’t want to come off as being too nice, as it sounds insincere, or being too terse, as it can be interpreted as being rude. That being said, striking the right balance is absolutely essential. Your greeting exists as its own entity, and therefore, it should NOT rely on callers’ familiarity with you. Instead, it needs to appeal to the masses. As such, your inflection, i.e. the way you state your name and directions, needs to be both welcoming and firm. b. Injecting Humor & Insincerity: While humor/light heartedness can be welcoming, it can also convey a sense of informality, insincerity, and ultimately unprofessionalism. Why, because you’re not there to lend your humor or to contextualize. Instead, you’re assuming the caller has a working knowledge of your personality to ground the message. Though this might not sound like it’s all that terrible—it can be detrimental. As stated above, one should NEVER rely on a caller’s familiarity with you. Instead, aim to appeal to the masses. Humor is ultimately subjective, meaning not everyone has the same tastes; therefore, someone is bound to be turned off by a quirky or off-color remark. While implementing a light-hearted or even tongue and cheek tone can work, it’s just a really bad idea.