Prepare

• It's important to study your interview notes and the job description so you'll be prepared to mention two or three points about your qualifications and the job during your call. In your notes, you also might have written down the selection process and how many more candidates the recruiter and hiring manager expect to interview. Recall any mention during your conversation about the time frame for making an offer, or days on which the recruiter or hiring manager will be out of the office.
  
  

Timing

• Making the call at the correct time can make a difference. Refrain from calling as soon as the office opens for the week and during the last few hours before the office closes for the weekend. During your interview, if you learned that certain days of the week or certain hours of each days are particularly hectic, avoid calling during those times. Likewise, calling between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. generally isn't a good idea, because that's when many workers are out to lunch. You want to reach the interviewer -- not the interviewer's voicemail.
  
  

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• It's wise to stand up when you place the telephone call. You will come across more confidently. Additionally, smile when you reach the receptionist who answers your call. It might sound like pointless advice because you're not engaging in face-to-face interaction; however, the person you're calling can sense a pleasantness in your voice when you smile. Don't chew gum or eat during your phone call -- the sound the other person hears isn't pleasant if you have gum, candy or food in your mouth.
  
  

Greeting

• When the phone is answered, state your name, the name of the person you're calling and the purpose of your call. For example, say this is a confident tone: "Good morning, I'm Jane Smith and I'd like to speak to John Williams. I interviewed with him last Thursday and I'm calling to follow up on our meeting. Would you connect me to his office, please?"
  
  

Follow-Up

• If the recruiter specifically asked you to call back within a certain number of days, modify your greeting and state: "Good morning, I'm Jane Smith and I'm calling for John Williams. We had an interview last Thursday and he asked me to give him a call today. Would you connect me to his office, please?
  
  

Confidence

• Always ask to be connected to the recruiter or hiring manager -- lose the tentativeness and ask if you can simply leave a message for him. Assume that he's in and available for calls unless the receptionist informs you otherwise. Once connected with the recruiter or hiring manager, speak confidently as you inquire about your status in the selection process. Ask direct questions and restate your interest in working for the company.