The telephone is the most common business tool and its proper use is essential for career advancement.
Are you telephone savvy?
When you make calls do you:
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State your message briefly and clearly?
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Leave your name, organization and phone number, repeating these twice, slowly and clearly?
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Give the full name of the person for whom you're leaving the message?
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State the date and time of the call?
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State whether you'll call back or you'd like the other person to call?
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Ask for a return call at a time you'll be available?
When you receive calls, do you:
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Identify yourself?
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Use courtesies such as "Please hold while I complete another call?"
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Offer to take messages when you're answering for someone?
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Repeat the caller's name and number to make sure they're correct?
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Speak in a professional manner?
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Does your answering machine have a pleasant, professional and courteous message? Leave a good impression?
Scoring: Give yourself one point for each "yes." The higher your score, the more telephone skills you possess. A score of 9 or less suggests you could enhance your skills.