First and foremost, it nearly goes without saying that it’s important to get a dedicated number specifically for work-related calls, but let’s just say it. Many of us working from home have had to deal with using our home phone number or getting an additional land-line installed. Those days of dial-up are long gone for most of us and it seems nearly everyone on earth now has a cell phone. There’s really no excuse not to have a dedicated work number these days. If you don’t have one, secure one today. It’s even easier than you think if you also consider options like Google Voice and My1Voice. You’d think this also goes without saying, but don’t leave the standard voicemail provided by your cell phone carrier or answering machine. It’s annoying. Everyone hates them. And don’t think that saying your name at the beep to customize your message helps. It’s just as annoying to hear the robotic voice that pauses as your voice interrupts the message to insert your name. Actually say your name You think I’m joking? I called someone just last week and when I got the voicemail it just repeated the number. I dialed by choosing the contact from my contacts and I’m not good with numbers. I wasn’t sure if the number was the number I mean to call, so I just hung up. It happens. Reveal specific information If it’s a typical work day and you’re just unable to answer your phone, it’s fine to say you’re currently unavailable. But if you’re sunning yourself on the beaches of Tahiti and have no intention of even checking your voicemail until you return to your desk in two weeks, it would be nice to let someone know. If they’re calling you they must need something. Let them know when you’ll be available. Give an emergency option Depending on what you do for a living, or just how accessible you want to appear to a potential employer, leaving an additional option for the caller to reach you often makes a good impression. Doctors offices do that all the time, right. If you can’t reach me this way, you can reach me THIS way. Or, you can reach someone else who can help you right now. KISS Keep It Simple, Stupid. You don’t want to speak like an auctioneer, but you do want to get as much information across as quickly as possible and get on to the beep. Your caller doesn’t need to know your life history, just the current facts and then sufficient space to leave you a message. Write it down Put some thought into exactly what you want to say. Don’t just hit record and play around until you’re satisfied that your message doesn’t suck. Think about it. Write down what you want to say and give it a try. Rearrange things, revise things. And, when you’re ready, hit the record button and give it a whirl. Smile Did you know that it’s believed that some 50 different types of smiles exist, from triumphant ones to bitter ones. Interestingly enough, there was a study a couple years ago where scientists used the phrase “I do in the summertime” to study the effects of smiling on person’s voice. Read all about in Smile – And The World Can Hear You, Even If You Hide. Or listen to the NPR show, Hearing a Smile in Tone of Voice. So close your eyes and think of your happy place. Think of something funny or amusing. Then, right before you hit the record button and begin speaking, SMILE. Callers will hear it. Just make sure you’re not actively laughing like the Joker from Batman throughout your voicemail greeting. Cut the comedy Smiling is a good thing. Acting like a clown, not so much. Cutesy comedic messages really don’t have a place on your work voicemail greeting. Be considerate Above all, consider the caller. A considerate message lets them know they’re important and that you’ll be returning their call. Even if the sun and moon revolve around your every move, your voicemail greeting isn’t the place for egocentric SOMETHING Listen to your messages and return calls
In this blog post, we'll cover how to set up several voicemail greetings: a name recording for your voicemail box, a default greeting, and a temporary (for holidays and vacations) greeting.

Voicemail will give you a brief description of the three steps involved in setting up your mailbox - setting a passcode, recording a greeting for your callers and recording your name. "Enter digits for your passcode." Your security code may not be less than four digits and no more than fifteen digits. For security purposes the system will not accept codes which are consecutive, sequential or your extension. Voicemail will repeat your passcode to you. Remember to keep this passcode secret and to change it regularly. (We recommend monthly.) "Press D" (the 3 key on your dial pad) to discard your greeting and record it again. When you are satisfied with your greeting and have pressed "X" (the 9 key on your dial pad) to save it, you will hear... "Recording complete." Next, you will record your name so that you and your callers hear your name in your voice. When Voicemail says, "Press D" (the 3 key on your dial pad) to discard your name and record it again. Voicemail will close out your session by reviewing your name and passcode. You are now ready to begin using your new Voicemail. ALWAYS PRESS X (the 9 key on your dial pad) TO EXIT THE SYSTEM BEFORE YOU HANG UP!! Questions or problems with voice mail can be directed to JMU Telecommunications at 568.6471. Hours Alerts Seaver Caruso Law Graziadio Business GSEP Public Policy University WaveNet Courses Email Kronos Printing Mail Services Housing Maintenance Request Dining Meal Plans Student Health Center Counseling Center Campus Shuttle International Programs OneStop Academic Advising Student Success Center Writing Center Dean's Office Tech Central for Students Tutorial for Courses Seaver Faculty Association Campus Recreation Housing & Living Community Student Activities Spiritual Life Hub SGA Spring Break Fraternity & Sorority Life Health Center Counseling Center Shuttle Services Academic Calendar Academic Catalog Academic Policies Course Schedules 1L Grade Distribution & Class Ranks Program Learning Outcomes Global Programs Writing Center Law Library Student Administrative Forms Student Accounts Office of Financial Assistance Transcript Requests Career Development Marketing and Communications Faculty Support Services Information Services Around Malibu Student Policies Student Bar Association Student Organizations Student Boards Moot Court Academic Advising Academic Calendar Accreditation and Assessment Career Services Outcomes and Disclosures Part-Time Students Full-Time Students Executive Students Online Program Students Student Clubs and Organizations Housing and Residence Life Campus Recreation Student Employment Student Discounts Career Services Student Success Student Accounts Academic Affairs Enrollment Analytics Administration Marketing Communications Information Technology Dissertation Support Writing Support MFT Practicum Preparation MSBP Practicum Preparation Honor Societies Graduation Libraries Records and Enrollment Parking Information Career Services Financial Aid Student Accounts Student Services Student Employment Faculty Resources Staff Resources Housing for GSEP Students Honor Society Spiritual Life Education Student Groups Psychology Student Groups Pepperdine Apps Academic Calendar Libraries Study Labs Transcripts Public Policy Student Housing Financial Aid Internship Database Search Professional Development University International Travel Policy Career Services Clubs & Organizations Spiritual Life Student Employment Health Center Institutional Review Board Libraries Office of Research and Sponsored Programs Technology and Learning Housing and Residence Life Step Up! Pepperdine Spiritual Life at Pepperdine Hub for Spiritual Life Center for Faith and Learning Business Intelligence Business Services Campus Operations Campus Recreation Counseling Center Digital Signage Health Center Planning, Operations, and Construction Department of Public Safety Student Employment Center for Sustainability Auditing Services Corporate and Foundation Relations Finance General Counsel Human Resources Integrated Marketing Communications Information Technology Department of University Events University Committees
8. “Hello, this is [your name] at [company]. Thanks for calling. Please leave your name, number, and the reason you’d like to chat, and I’ll get to back to you ASAP.”