If you are in the process of applying for jobs, you should be prepared to receive phone calls from potential employers. Nowadays, many hiring managers conduct preliminary phone interviews before they extend an offer to interview on site.

When you begin your job search, do your best to prepare for phone contact ahead of time. For example, consider the greeting you’ve left on your answering machine or voicemail box. Be sure that it is professional (no jokes or rock music) and that it confirms either the phone number or name of the person you’ve called.

Since phone interviews (as well as in-person interviews) are a normal part of the job search process, you should start preparing to interview as soon as you send your first job application. If you’ve applied for a large number of positions, you may want to keep a job log. Nothing can be more unappealing to a recruiter than a candidate who doesn't remember where they have applied!

When the phone rings and it is a recruiter on the other line, stay calm and prepare yourself for the interview by clearing the room of pets or kids, turning off the television, and getting a glass of water. If you have one handy, it’s useful to have a pen and paper so you can jot down notes as you talk.

Some recruiters only have a few questions; others will want to conduct a full ten to sixty minute interview. If you cannot have the interview at that time – or, if you don’t remember which job is calling you and you want to save yourself the embarrassment – it is acceptable to plan the interview for another time. Many recruiters, however, hope to do an interview at the time they call so if you are in a convenient place, proceeding with the interview may be your best option.

When you are interviewing, conduct yourself just as you would in person: listen, be polite, and smile! Don’t interrupt or answer call waiting. If you get nervous, take a deep breath and pause before answering questions, letting yourself think over the response before you begin talking.

Before you hang up, be sure to verify the caller’s name and contact information. After the call, as with any interview, send a thank you note to follow up.