With any application process, you are likely to find yourself on a phone call with the hiring manager or an outsourced recruiter. Since facial-expressions are out of the equation, the words you choose and the tone you speak with hold great value. This guide will give some insight into how to give the best impression voice calling recruiters and hiring managers.

Answering the phone

You may have overlooked this element of the voice call. The few words that you say when you answer the phone will leave a lasting impression and set the tone for the rest of the call.

You don't want to start the call with, "Y'aight who's this?", only to realise the unknown number was from a potential recruiter.

Instead, with any unrecognised number, start the call with the simple phrase:

"Hello, [Full Name] speaking."

This is the most professional, and most conventional way to start an incoming call and is recognised as a prompt for the caller to state who they are and why they are calling.

The art of a good telephone call

Questioning

Having a great telephone call centers around the ability to ask questions and listen attentively to answers. You want to aim for well-worded, open ended questions that direct the conversation in a positive, progressive direction and give the other people an opportunity to express themselves.

Make sure to have some pre-made questions ready to ask at the end of every conversation. Express and interest and show that you have done your research on the company. Especially if it is a current or ex placement student speaking, you want to dig into every insight you can possibly find.

Dominating the conversation

Resist the urge to dominate the discussion. Yes you are trying to sell yourself but you are also assessing the caller. You want to figure out whether the role is actually what you initially applied for and whether it is still tailored to your interests.

Pay close attention and stay focused

Pay close attention to what the other person is saying. When you pay close attention to another person, you convey to that person that you very much value what he or she has to say. Individuals you are speaking to find this very flattering, and they will respond warmly to your attentiveness.

Noting down the conversation can really help this and give you a reference point to look back upon for the next few points.

Asking for clarification

Another key to effective listening is to question for clarification. You should never assume that you understood perfectly what the person is saying or trying to say. Instead, make sure to ask, "Could you clarify that for me please? I want to make sure I understand.".

Don't interrupt

You will undoubtably listen more effectively when you're not talking, so refrain from interrupting the caller. Not only can this come across as rude and dock your overall communication skills down, but it can break the callers train of thought and you may miss some key information.

Don't pre-empt

An example of pre-empting on a telephone call is finishing off the callers sentence in an attempt to show that you know what they are talking about. Avoid this! The likelihood is you will be wrong or miss some of the content of their conversation. Let them finish and then if emphasise their points, rather than finishing them off.

Paraphrase key facts

Paraphrase and reflect back to check that you have heard the key facts and content of the caller's conversation correctly.

An example would be, "Let me see if I've got this right. What you're saying is...". This is very powerful as it will show the other person that you have been attentively listening and gives them the opportunity to confirm the message or to alter it if you there has been any misunderstanding on your end.

Ending the call

This is often the hardest part. Keep it natural!

First of all, make sure that you know what is going to happen next. Has the recruiter told you when you're likely to hear back from them or do you need to ask? Do you know whether you are to complete any tasks in order to progress in the process? Make sure to gather or confirm this information.

Now you're ready to start the beginning of the end.

Thank the caller, by name, for their time and state outright that you appreciate their call. This will go a long way and ensure that the call doesn't feel abruptly cut off. It is really important that you thank them by name, when they introduce themselves it is a good idea to note their name down, just incase you forget.

A simple "Enjoy the rest of your day, Thanks, Bye!" will do the trick.

But again, you don't need to follow a script here, be natural but don't be afraid to end the call yourself. If the "Bye"s have been said, hang up.

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