Phone Call Etiquette for Everyone

What is the first thing you should do when you answer a phone call?

• Start talking about your day.

• Say "Hello" and introduce yourself.

• Ask the caller to call back later.

• Remain silent until the caller speaks.

How should you respond if you don't understand the caller?

• Pretend you understand and continue the conversation.

• Politely ask the caller to repeat or clarify.

• Hang up the phone immediately.

• Change the subject to something else.

What is a good practice if you need to take a message for someone else?

• Write down the message clearly and accurately.

• Try to remember the message without writing it down.

• Tell the caller to call back later.

• Ignore the message and hang up.

If you are using a phone with assistive technology, what should you do before answering?

• Ensure the technology is working properly.

• Ignore the technology and answer directly.

• Ask someone else to answer the call for you.

• Turn off the assistive technology.

What should you do if the caller is speaking too fast?

• Ask them to slow down politely.

• Hang up the call.

• Start speaking faster to match their speed.

• Ignore what they are saying.

How can you ensure you have understood the caller correctly?

• Repeat back what you heard for confirmation.

• Assume you understood and end the call.

• Ask unrelated questions.

• Stay silent and hope for the best.

What is an appropriate way to end a phone call?

• Hang up without saying anything.

• Say "Goodbye" and thank the caller.

• Start a new conversation topic.

• Put the phone down and walk away.

If you need to transfer the call to someone else, what should you do?

• Inform the caller and provide the name of the person they will speak to.

• Transfer the call without saying anything.

• Tell the caller to call back later.

• Hang up and let the caller figure it out.

What should you do if you receive a call from an unknown number?

• Answer politely and ask who is calling.

• Ignore the call completely.

• Answer and immediately hang up.

• Block the number without answering.

How should you handle a call if you are in a noisy environment?

• Move to a quieter place before answering.

• Shout into the phone to be heard.

• Ignore the call until it stops ringing.

• Answer and ask the caller to speak louder.