Telephone Calls and Phone Interviews
If you have recently applied for a job, be aware that a call from an unrecognised number could be a preliminary screening - don't ignore it or in particularly answer in a blunt or casual tone as it could determine the success of your application.
A phone-based interview is considered as important as a face to face interview.
Therefore, preparation is key.
Ensure that you are not in a noisy environment such as a pub and have your CV handy to answer unexpected questions. If you are out and it is not convenient, politely ask whether it would be possible to be contacted at an alternative time.
In the event that you do miss the call, ensure you have a professional voicemail set up for the employer to leave a message. When speaking to an employer on the phone, have a polite phone manner, speak slowly and enunciate clearly always aiming to convey the same level of dedication, enthusiasm and professionalism as you would if you were meeting in person.
The Twenty Second Scan
Ensure that your CV is getting the right information across in that all important employer 'twenty second screening scan' by pre-testing this yourself.
Before sending your CV out for post military jobs, give it to five individuals to scan for no more than twenty seconds.
Try and avoid friends or close acquaintances as they may already be aware of your background.
Immediately after, ask them what they can remember from your CV from the top of their head instinctively.
Note their observations and review them closely considering the job you are using the CV for. If the memorable aspects of your CV match the requirements for the role then you know your CV is correct.
If not, you can now tailor and re-adjust it accordingly, using the twenty second scan as you go along to make improvements.