The Hidden Step
www.necouncil.org/the
hidden
step
Your tone over the phone sounds different than when you are
speaking in-person. And your tone could be turning off
hiring managers before you even start. How do people typi-
cally respond to you over the phone? I am not talking about
friends or family members who know you and are familiar
with your personality. I am referring to total strangers who
have never met you. How do they generally respond to you
over the phone?
Ever speak to someone who was loud and aggressive? How
did they come across? Persuasive or a turn off? Ever speak
to someone over the phone whom you considered as lacking
confdence? Yet, after meeting that person, you were totally
surprised at how differently he or she came across in-person?
Think of someone whom you consider as persuasive.
Chances are you would say he or she is soft spoken, mild
mannered and easy to talk to, yet enthusiastic. To be persua-
sive on the phone, develop a persuasive tone of voice. This
tone combines a relaxed tone with enthusiasm.
In fact, to become effective at pursuading, learn to become
soft spoken. Do not confuse the word soft spoken with lack-
ing confdence. In fact, the frst impression others get from
you when you speak slowly is one of confdence. Slow down
the pace and lower the tone of your voice when you speak
on the phone.
Preparation Step Four
Watch your tone of voice
preparation steps
4