By Wendy Terwelp

1. Get Organized!

a. Change your answering machine or voice mail message to reflect professionalism. Mention your name, number and time you'll be available to return calls. "Thank you for calling the Smith residence, 414-555-1234. Please leave your name, number and a brief message. I will be available to return calls from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m."

b. Create file folders for each of the places you submitted your resume (both snail-mail or online). Print out the job listing and list the date you sent your resume, the website you responded to (or however you heard about the job), and the contact's name and title (if it's listed in the ad). If you modified your resume in response to the ad, keep a copy with the file.

c. Print out any information you found on the employer via their website or related resources so you can refer to it during the interview.

d. Keep all this near your phone at all times. You may not always be able to predict what time they will call.

e. If possible, try to set up a specific time for the phone interview through an e-mail contact. (Such as: Best times to contact me are from x to x.) That way you'll have an approximate timeline.

f. Let your family members know about potential telephone interview(s). They can then answer the phone professionally: "Hello, Smith residence, Fred speaking."

g. Have a PEN and NOTEPAD ready. The notepad should have at least 3 questions you want to ask the interviewer about. You'll also use the notepad to take notes during your interview, clarify points, or ask questions later during the "So, do you have any questions for me?" portion of the interview. Get the interviewer's name, title and contact information. Name of the company offering the job (if you are working with a recruiter). Job title and responsibilities (brief but specific). Relocation details (if necessary). You may wish to create a form with the standard contact information on it and use this for each phone interview. Your notes will also be a great point of reference for your thank-you letter.

h. Have your resume in front of you. Should they ask you to elaborate on a point, you will be ready to supply additional information.

2. Keep Distractions Away!

a. Eliminate call waiting during your job search. Call waiting is very distracting to an interviewer. Use voice mail during your search time, so you won't miss a call.

b. Put your interview information and telephone in a spare room that has a door.

3. Be Yourself!

a. Try to relax. Take some deep breaths before picking up the phone.

b. SMILE when answering the phone and speaking to the interviewer. This keeps you sounding enthusiastic and upbeat.

c. Give concrete examples when able (use your achievement section on the resume to aid you with these).

d. Respond to the interviewer's questions, but don't volunteer information that hasn't been asked. (No babbling!)

e. Repeat the question if you are not clear.

4. Make a Quick Decision!

a. If the opportunity does not sound interesting to you the more you learn about it, politely decline and say that it does not sound like a good fit. If you are talking to a recruiter, mention to him/her what IS a good fit.

b. If the opportunity does sound fantastic, try to land the in-person interview.

5. Land the In-person Interview!

a. Be positive at all times! Never bad-mouth a previous employer.

b. Be enthusiastic about the opportunity. Mention how your skills match their needs.

c. Ask to schedule the interview. "This position sounds like a perfect fit. Can we schedule a time to meet and discuss this further?"

6. Send a thank-you/follow-up note!

a. You can do this via e-mail or snail-mail. If responding to an online position, e-mail your thank-you note.

b. Keep it short (one or two paragraphs).

c. Thank them for their time. Mention one or two things you learned during the phone interview. Reiterate how your skills match what they're looking for. Tell them you are very excited about working for them and are capable to do the job. Address any points requested by the interviewer.

d. If you already scheduled an in-person interview, tell the interviewer you are looking forward to the interview on ______(day) at _____ (time).

e. Send a follow-up note to all phone interviews, even if you don't take the position. It's always a good practice to thank people for their time.

Wendy Terwelp is President of Opportunity Knocks(tm), a professional career coaching and resume writing organization targeting entrepreneurial executives and business owners in transition.