How to Make a Straight Call to an Extension Number

If you are attempting to call a specific department or individual in a large organization, you are probably aware of how frustrating this process can be, particularly when you are forced to wade through a series of voice menus. Although these menu systems fulfill the much-needed purpose of directing individuals with specific queries to the appropriate office, they also create a series of unnecessary hurdles for callers who already know who they need to speak with. In reality, these menu systems are nothing more than a means to connect a caller with the correct extension number. You may be able to forego the process entirely if you already know the extension number you need to reach. Learning how to dial an extension can save you valuable time and energy.

One of the easiest and most straightforward ways to make a direct call to an extension number that you already know is to use the interactive voice menu system. Often, these gatekeepers provide an opportunity for you to input the extension number you want to reach before launching into their voice menus. If given this opportunity, this is a relatively straightforward approach to completing your desired objective. If you are trying to find the extension number so you can avoid these menus at a later point, ask for the correct extension number from the individual or office you are calling after you are connected.

Modern cellphones provide users with a way to dial an extension number directly. To accomplish this, you first enter the primary telephone number you are calling. After you do this, insert a comma after the primary number by holding down the * key until the comma appears. Then, input the extension number you want to reach. When you complete the process by dialing the number series, you are directly connected with the extension.

When a comma is entered in a phone number, it instructs your phone to dial the following extension after an initial connection is made with the primary phone number. This simple method of automation can help you avoid unnecessary wait times and ensure that you reach your intended audience as quickly as possible. This process can be used with almost all modern cellphones. For obvious reasons, this method cannot be used if you are making your call from an older landline phone that does not allow for complete number entry before dialing.