Well, maybe “funny” isn’t exactly the right word. I mean, it probably wouldn’t be funny to a recruiter if he/she called you with a hot opportunity and your 3-year old picked up the phone, talked for awhile, and then hung up the phone. And actually, you might not think it was funny either ... if you found out about it.
I returned a phone call today to a
#1 - You can’t control who answers the phone
Do you have kids? Teenagers? A spouse who works a different shift and might sleep during the day and answer the phone groggy and half-asleep?
If you aren’t home to answer your phone at all times, you can’t control who answers it or how it will be answered. When my youngest was ... young, she used to answer the home phone “who is it?” Not exactly the first impression you want to leave with a recruiter or a decision-maker.
#2 - Your voice mail message might not sound professional
Kids are so cute on voice mail messages. To family at least. And it could cost you a conversation with a recruiters about a hot - and dream - opportunity.
If your voice mail message doesn’t contain a) your name, or b) your phone number to verify he/she has the right number, maybe the caller will just hang up without leaving a message.
#3 - Your “secretary” might not deliver the message
Ever had somebody ask you why you didn’t return their call, and you responded “I never got a message to call you.” If it isn’t important to the person who answers the call, the message might never make it to the intended recipient. See #1 again.
Using your work number on your resume is not a good idea, either. That sends all kinds of negative and wrong messages to the recipient. My recommendation ... use a cell phone that only you answer and which has a professional voice mail message.
Blog post
The Dangers of Using a Home Phone Number
Filed Under:
Human Capital