You’ll probably have to pass the phone interview before meeting face-to-face.

Phone interviews are standard practice these days in the competitive job market - and they can make or break your chances of meeting face-to-face. 

Here are some ways to NOT mess it up from career adviser Andrew G. Rosen:

1. Print it out. Have a physical copy of your resume and the job description in front of you during the call. Have a bulleted list of items you want to cover during the conversation and cross them off as you go.

2. Have Web access. Open up the company’s website in your browser and have another window open for your search engine. Just be sure not to let them hear you typing.

3. Disable extra phone features. These noises can be a distraction and embarrassment, sabotaging your chances of moving the interview process forward. 

4. Make the call from home. You need minimal noise and someplace where you can speak at a reasonable volume.

5. No pets allowed. Nobody wants to hear from your dog, cat or bird.

6. Answer the phone with your name. This lets the person on the other line know exactly who you are and avoid an awkward start. 

7. Smile. When speaking on the phone, your voice actually loses about half of its energy. Make sure your enthusiasm gets across by overcompensating. 

8. Mute. This button can be your best friend. Practice using it. 

9. Be ready. Have everything you need and be prepared for a call five minutes early. Some hiring agents use this as a tactic to test candidates.

10. Say thanks… fast. Send a thank-you note an hour or two after the phone interview. This helps you close the loop and reiterate your interest in wanting to meet the interviewer in person.