Don't let this happen to you. Dana scrambled out of the shower to grab the phone. She was horrified to find it was an employer calling for a phone screen. She tried to compose herself, but just then, the doorbell rang, the dog started howling, and the baby woke up screaming. Dana babbled like an idiot—and lost her shot at a great job.

A lot of people hate phone interviews. Sure, they can be uncomfortable, but here's how to put yourself in the drivers' seat.

If the employer surprises you with a call at a bad time, take charge of the situation--reschedule.  You can't afford to have this conversation now.  Say, "Thanks for calling.  I'm eager to talk with you, but I can't right this moment.  How about later today?"

Be ready at the time you set an appointment.  Make sure you are in a quiet, interruption-free room with a good static-free phone that isn't going to cut out.  Take advantage of the positive side of phone interviews--they can't see you. Have ready access to your resume, important points of your company research, talking points, and your own questions.  Turn your computer on.  A quick Google search can access information you need to score points.  

Make sure you know about the company, its products and services, and how you could help them.  The more important the interview, the more thorough your preparation should be. 

Have a repertoire of carefully-crafted stories prepared so that you can quickly convey to the boss how good you are.  These stories should be about a minute long and include the challenge you faced, what you did about it, and the results.

Since your voice is all you've got to make an impression, make sure you sound upbeat.  Standing can give more power to your voice.  Smile.  Though they can't see you, the smile does come across loud and clear.   Many good telemarketers keep a mirror by the phone to remind themselves to smile.

Chances are, they're going to ask about money.  This is a dangerous conversation, as they may use this to screen you out.  For this discussion, try to postpone talking about money.  Here are a couple things you might say:  "I'm sure you pay fair salaries, so I'm not that concerned about it."

"I'm really uncomfortable talking about this at this point because I'm very excited about working with you, and I don't want to get screened out because I was making too much or too little."

[Note:  Salary negotiation is obviously a huge topic.  I highly recommend  "Negotiating Your Salary:  How to Make $1,000 a Minute," written by my partner, Jack Chapman].

If they insist on talking about money, you might say, "I'm glad to have that conversation with you—as long as it doesn't get me screened out.  Will I still get the in-person interview if we discuss money now?"

Don't talk on and on and on.  Pay special attention to the adage, "You've got two ears and only one mouth for a reason."  Keep your answers crisp and concise, and probe with questions of your own.  Get beyond the gibberish in the job description to find out what the boss really wants and needs.  What keeps this man/woman awake at night—and how can you help them?  

Find out how to follow up with the interviewers, what the next step in the process will be, and ask if they would like you to provide any additional information. 

Go into the interview with an agenda and keep track of the points as you make them.   

Promptly send a thank you letter to all the interviewers.  Don't send formulaic garbage.  Personalize the letters to the individual and the conversation you had, using the notes you took.

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