An employer may opt to conduct telephone interviews when a candidate lives too far away to come in for an interview or when the caller is seeking a person with exceptionally good telephone skills. As with a personal interview, an employer may make an appointment with you for a telephone interview and give you some idea of how long the conversation will last. Aside from the fact that you can't see the person to whom you are speaking and react to his or her body language, a telephone interview won't vary all that much from a person to person interview. Your telephone voice and manners should project confidence as well as competence.
Good grammar is essential, of course, but avoid stilted or too-formal language.
Keep a copy of your resume, references, and transcript close to the phone so you can quickly refer to these documents as needed. You should be taking quick notes as well, being careful not to impede the flow of the conversation. Telephone interviews may involve talking to two or more people over a speaker phone, so attentive listening skills are particularly important. Write down the recruiter's name or names so you don't forget who you're talking to. When the employer ends the call, thank him or her for the interview, express your interest in having a personal interview, and ask if you should send additional information.