Voicemail Surfing: Circumventing Gatekeepers Using Documented Voicemail System Features.
Having trouble with gatekeepers? Do you need to speak to someone directly and keep getting the nth degree from the company receptionist or their administrative assistant?
I have read many articles with suggestions to resolve this problem. They usually involve rusing (aka lying), calling after hours and leaving a message for the person you need to speak to (wouldn’t you rather speak to them live?), or calling every extension at a company sequentially until you find them (who has time for this?).
What most recruiters and sourcers do not know, is that most voicemail systems have features that allow you to directly contact the person you need to speak to, without ever speaking to a receptionist or admin.
Over the years I have built ups a toolbox of tips and tricks that will allow you to “surf” voicemail systems and discover direct-dials, hidden dial-by-name directories, and generally avoid contact with gatekeepers to focus your efforts on the person you are trying to recruit.
I have written a white paper, which includes detailed instructions, as well as a quick reference guide to the different voicemail systems, that is available for download on our site. The paper is free and no registration is necessary.
To download the document in Adobe PDF format, go to the following link:
http://www.rwstearns.com/articles.php
and click on the “Voicemail Surfing” link under “Download PDF”.
Please feel free to share the document (or the link) with your friends and colleagues.
Regards,
Gregory Pankow
Candidate Development Project Manager
RW Stearns, Inc.
greg@rwstearns.com