A lesson in phone manner please

[gemfyre]

*phone rings, I pick up*
"Hello."
"Hi is this Belinda?"
"It's me." or "Yes it is." or "Yep."
"Hi this is so and so from so and so."

aaannnnd... what now? I sometimes say "Hi, how are you going?" which the person on the other hand often doesn't hear resulting in an uncomfortable pause before I say "Hello." again and we start over.

What is the right thing to say then?

To Do tomorrow
Wrap presents
Post TFN to Hesta
Fill out some of Centerlink form
Find floor
E-mail Mike from CALM
Get stuff together for work
Start applying for reception job with CC
Head to Matt's

Comments

[lotus79.livejournal.com]

Depends on context. Is this a friend, random professional call, or telemarketer?

I reckon "Hi, how are you going?" works well enough to fill that space.

[gemfyre.livejournal.com]

A person from Skilled offering me work in this case.

But it can vary.

Up in Broome "How are you going?" was commonplace, but in the big city ettiquette may differ.

[lotus79.livejournal.com]

OK, that would be me above. Stupid "log out when browser closes".

[abstract-design.livejournal.com]

"Ah, hello [name]. How can I help you this [morning/afternoon]?"

Said with a smile, sounds friendly and helpful.

[abstract-design.livejournal.com]

Also, to shorten the prelude-y bit, you could answer with your name. It feels dinky for a bit; and friends never fail to mock you, but it is a bit more professional.

*phone rings*
"Hello, this is Belinda"
"Hi this is [name] from [wherever]" (if they are polite, THEY should add, "And I'm calling about [topic]")
(But if they don't) "Hi [name], how can I help you?"

etc etc.

[ms-abigail.livejournal.com]

well for me seen as I dont normallly apply for jobs, whe I dont recognise the company I ask "Ok, and what are you selling me today?" then if its telemarketing I politely tell them where to shove it :P

[stefanina.livejournal.com]

"How can I help you today?" or "May I ask the purpose of this call?" will work nicely. THe former would be more for people you are expecting/wanting to hear from, the latter for folks you don't recognize.