How to combat voicemail anxiety in 5 easy steps

Imagine that you call a recruiter after a big job interview to discuss the employer’s impression of you.

You get the recruiter’s voicemail:

“Hello, this is Michelle Jones. I’m either on another call or away from my desk. Please leave a detailed message and I will call you back as soon as I can.”

Do you:

(a) Freeze and hang up without uttering a word?

(b) Feel nervous but leave a basic message nonetheless?

(c) Calmly, confidently and without missing a beat, leave a comprehensive voicemail?

If you answered a) or b), please read on!

Leaving a voicemail, especially in a high-stakes career or work situation, can be a little scary and intimidating. Performance anxiety may rear its ugly head, causing you to be fearful of being judged negatively by the other person. 

This article covers five top tips to overcome phone call phobia and anxiety with phone calls in general, with an emphasis on eliminating voicemail anxiety.

1. Treat the phone call like an opportunity to shine!

Google is one of the most innovative and leading-edge technology companies on the planet. Yet, did you know that when hiring their own employees, the management at Google value soft skills, which includes communication skills, over technical skills?!

In our modern, screen-based world, many people suffer from telephonophobia (phone anxiety and phone phobia). They hide behind text messages and emails and avoid speaking on the phone at all costs.

When you demonstrate that you can communicate confidently and effectively over the phone at work or as a job candidate, you will automatically stand out from the pack!

2. Psych yourself up!

Being prepared is essential to success in everything in life!

Oftentimes, when we call someone, we assume that the other person will answer our call.

However, it’s a distinct possibility that their voicemail will answer your call instead!

When you are mentally prepared to leave a message, your freeze, fight or flight system will not kick in - it won’t even dawn on you to hang up as a fearful, knee-jerk reaction.

Instead, you will be ready, willing and able to leave a great message after you hear the beep! 

3. Plan your message in advance.

Map out the key points you want to include in your voice-mail message.

This way you will be focused and succinct, and will not nervously ramble on.

You can either write out a full script or some bullet points – the choice is yours.

Whatever approach you take, include the following in your voice-mail:

1. A friendly greeting

2.  Your full name

3.  Your phone number
Tip - Leave your phone number early on in your message, so the other person doesn’t have to listen to your message twice, to get the phone number

4.   The reason for your call

5.   The next action – either you will take or you are requesting that the other person takes

6.   A warm sign-off

Here is a sample voice-mail script, using the above formula.

Hello! My name is Susan Weser. My phone number is: 0416 318 182.

I am calling to follow up after my interview on the 9th February with Bill Smith.

I will try calling you again later today after 4pm.

I look forward to speaking with you soon.

Bye!

 4. Practice makes perfect.

Olympic athletes and concert pianists make their craft look effortless, but us mere mortals don’t see how much practice they have invested behind the scenes to be the best at what they do.

Take a leaf out of their book and ensure you get your message word-perfect.

Practise your message, until it rolls off your tongue and you feel comfortable saying it.

Rehearsing involves both practising your words, along with how you say them.

Start getting used to leaving voicemails in a small and non-threatening way. Initially, you could leave voicemail messages for friends and family.

And by the time you progress to those more high-stakes messages, you will be polished and professional!

Also, remember to speak slowly, clearly, and with a warm and friendly tone. People can actually hear the smile in your voice, so make sure you smile when leaving your message. You will appear friendly, approachable, and composed. 

5. Harness the power of your posture!

Standing up or sitting up straight on your call allows you to breathe properly from your abdomen, which in turn, gives your voice greater strength, resonance and clarity.

As an added bonus, when you adopt a sitting up straight or standing posture, you will feel more confident and empowered.

Last but not least, when you breathe more deeply and fully, your brain will be better oxygenated, which will enable you to think more clearly.

In Closing

There is no doubt that the ability to communicate effectively on the phone is an essential communication skill.

Sometimes in life, you get one chance to make a good first impression.

And, when it comes to leaving a voicemail, follow these tips to make sure that your impression is a great one!

 © 2023 Susan Weser.  All rights reserved.

Susan Weser is the Founder of Speaking2Win, a boutique public speaking and presentation skills consultancy, based in Melbourne, Australia. Susan’s mission is to demystify public speaking and presenting. She loves to fast-track her clients’ public speaking success, empowering them with the skills and confidence to excel in all their public speaking endeavours.