I need an opinion

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

I’ve applied for a new job today, and I’m worndering if my answering machine message will make a difference.

See, my mom thinks I should change it because…well…I’ve got Shirley Q. Liqour on it. I think the message is hysterical, but she says it isn’t professional.

So do you think a job would not hire me because of an answering machine message? Should I change it until I hear from the job? I really want this job so I don’t want to take any chances.

I really don’t want to change it because I like it so much, and I wouldn’t be able to put it back on there (I don’t want to explain why, I just wouldn’t be able to).
Would an answering machine message really count that much? I mean c’mon…it’s just an answering machine message.

My previous message was:

Hi, we’re not home right now, actually we are but we’re trying to avoid someone, so if we don’t call you back, it’s you.

I guess that wouldn’t be professional either.

2

Yes it counts. What’s more important to you? Getting a job or having someone hear a funny message?

3

Life is full of sacrifices.
Did you say you want the job?
What kind of job is it? Would it require some demonstation of common sense professional phone courtesy? If so, you should change it & make it vanilla until your quest is over.
If it’s for a chimney sweep job, leave it on.

4

Change it. I don’t think I’d bother leaving a message on your machine if greeted with that (assuming I’m a hiring manager.)

5

As every book on finding a job and interviewing will tell you: First impressions are everything.
Sure they may still call you for an interview, but you’ve already made a first impression on them. Some people don’t have the same sense of humor you have or have no sense of humor at all.
You’re risking that the person calling you will have the same sense of humor. Are you willing to risk that?

6

And although you didn’t ask, I really must tell you that I have a couple of friends, adults, married adults, who are constantly filling their answering machine message with simpsons quotes and fart noises and messages in other languages and Beastie BOys songs and I have to tell you in all honesty. The ratio of Annoying As Hell to Funny is about 35 to 1.

7

Well, then, get rid of the message.

It can’t count FOR you. It can count AGAINST you, even though it might not. So, you’re taking a chance.

8

Although not an HR person, I do do interviewing.

I’d hang up and not call back if I got anything other than “this is [name or number], please leave a message.” I have, in fact, done so.

9

(Knock-knock…Knock-knock)

What’s that? Mr. Responsibility knocking at the door?

Ooooh…sounds like someone has to grow up and lose the juvenile answering maching crap.

I gotta say…it is usually only the owner of the obnoxious machine that finds it hilarious. Everyone else gets sick of it after one call.

10

Ah yes…nothing says “serious, hardworking prospective employee” like Shirley Q. Liqour. :rolleyes:

Seriously, ditch the message. And for future reference, keep one thing in mind: “Funny answering machine message” is an oxymoron.

11

Oh so true. Even if the message is actually funny, I still find it annoying, even though I generally have a pretty healthy sense of humor. When I want entertainment, I’ll turn on the TV. When I have a message to deliver, having to wait for the punch line just shows a lack of appreciation for my time.

12

Just for a point of reference, I’ve been a technical hiring manager for 20 years.

You don’t mention what type of work you are currently doing or what type of position you are applying for. If you think the employer is looking for someone that will be considered professional in the job, then deep six the message.

On a side note: I also recommend doing the same with “cute” e-mail addresses. example: bongsucker@blahblah.com will not enhance your employment chances.

13

please don’t pubish my private email on the boards, flickster!!!

14

Change it.

[Tangent – There is one utilitarian yet obnoxious VM message, the Incredibly Long and Annoying Message[sup]tm[/sup]. I don’t have one but some of my friends do and unless you’ve got something important to say, there’s no way you’re gonna listen to 90 seconds of a horny dog(?) just to say “Hey, call me back.”[/T]

15

First opinion: Change it for the duration of the job hunt. Once you’re employed, you can revert to the flip answers.

Second opinion: You’re ugly, too. :eek:

Oops, wrong punchline… :wink: :smiley:

16

What seemed like an incredibly clever joke when I thought of it doesn’t look so hot now that’s it’s been posted and I let it sit for a while. I apologize to you, WomanofScorn , for using it on you.

17

I’ve never been tempted by funny answerphone messages, because:

a) They are rarely funny

b) Imagine this scenario:

(ring ring)
(click)
[Homer voice] : (belch) Hmm, honey, is this thing working? Ooh look, the little wheels are going round… I… oh yes where was I? Yes, I’m afraid we’re not in at the moment. I’m probably out at Moe’s, drinking beer… mmmm… beer…
[receding footsteps]
[long pause]
[distant sound of refrigerator door opening]
[distant sound of ringpull being pulled]
[approaching footsteps]
(belch) Mmm… er, you can leave a message, and Marge will call you back directly.
[beep]
“Hello, this is a message for Mr Smith. I’m calling from the hospital, there has been a serious accident…”

18

On the Things Others Like To Hear scale, funny answering machine messages rank one notch below loud bass busting stereos at a traffic intersection.

Losing a job because of one will never, and I repeat never, be an amusing anecdote.

19

Just because you can’t have an obnoxious message doesn’t mean that your message has to be “boring”.

I have a friend who’s machine says “You’ve reached John and Mary’s house. We’re not here right now, and that’s bad. But, if you leave a message, we’ll call you back, and that’s good.” Short, but not particularly annoying, especially as I get it a lot.

20

I gotta ask. What is Shirley Q. Liquor?