How You Answer Your Phone is IMPORTANT

If you are currently looking for employment then you should be expecting potential employers to call you...right?

How you answer the phone is the very 1st impression you may make with a hiring manager or recruiter.  As we all know, it is difficult to change a 1st impression.

Think about this every time you answer the phone.  Being rude because you think a telemarketer is calling can end your potential to get hired before it even started.  Unnecessary screening is at best annoying to potential employers and at worst can make you appear to not have enough business etiquette or intelligence.  When answering the phone and asked if  you (your name) is there say yes.  Asking harshly who is calling is irritating.  If they are calling you, doesn't it make sense that they will introduce themselves as soon as they know they have the correct person.

Only use your personal cell phone number unless whoever may be answering your home phone will make a good impression.  Polite children, a nice spouse or a caring parent is fine.  The person answering the phone shouldn't ask a multitude of questions about the position.  Living at home right after college is fine.  Having your parents act like you are a little kid to a potential employer isn't.