Look at the options you have when a voice mail kicks in. Listen and hang up. Leave a message. Instead of immediately leaving a message, try option 2. See what you can learn before you select options 3 or 4.
Many people record new messages at least once a day.
Such a message might suggest when the person will likely return to the office. Based on the flow of the recorded message, you can usually determine if the person is a regular user or even a strong advocate of the voice mail system. If he or she is, you are being given a clear signal that the person is comfortable with conducting business via recorded messages. The message might contain the names and numbers of other people on your contact's team. Record this data you may need to revert to these individuals if your initial contact proves to be too difficult to reach.