Is the person-to-person voice call “dead tech?”
In some ways, it is.
And that matters to job seekers.
Middle-aged folks can remember when making a phone call was the primary method of communication over distance. When email became ubiquitous, we used the phone only for more urgent messaging. It was bumped down the chain even further when texting and later smartphone IM apps came along.
People use their phones daily for personal and professional reasons but rarely make voice calls.
It has become a joke among some how opposed to the voice calls younger people are.
But here’s the nail in the coffin: When was the last time you took a call from a number you didn’t know?
Phone calls are now the exclusive realm of scammers preying on older adults who are less savvy with data security. Email has been used this way for decades, but we can filter it easier. Phone calls, not so much.
We will continue to have phone numbers for a long time because it is a unique identifier. It’s at the top of our resumes for a reason.
So how does this matter to job seekers?
It matters because even as the phone call is being replaced with Zoom/Teams, DMs, IMs, or email as most people’s preferred method of connection, VOICEMAIL is still a valid and vital technology. Especially for the job seeker.
Here are some things you should do during your search to save yourself some grief:
– Set up your voicemail. You’d be surprised how many people don’t do this. You MUST do this!
– Record a professional voicemail message. “Yo, you know what to do” sends the message you’re not professional. Be polite, concise, and brief. “Sorry, I’ve missed your call. Please leave your message, and I’ll reply when I’m available.”
– Gen Xers/Boomers. Don’t ever say, “Leave a message at the beep,” because it’s 2022, we all know what to do, and we sound old saying that.
– As you close your interview, ask what communications method your interviewer prefers. If they will be calling, you want to be ready if you screen your calls.
Bottom line: You might not like phone calls, but you can’t avoid them. You must communicate in the way your potential employer wants you to.
