Q: I feel like I don’t shine in telephone interviews, yet they are so common now. How do I make sure that I do well in a telephone interview?

A: You are right about how common they are. Telephone interviews are an increasingly frequent way of screening candidates during the selection process. With technology, hiring managers are often overwhelmed at the number of candidates who inquire about a role or a posting. In response, many hiring managers are now spending 30 to 60 minutes on the phone with a candidate prior to the in-person interview.

Here is how I recommend candidates prepare for a telephone interview:

¦ Take it seriously. Don’t schedule the call while food shopping or walking your dog.

¦ Remove distractions. Shut the door, turn off the TV, and have child care in place if needed.

¦ Use a landline if possible, or make sure that you are in a strong cell area. A scratchy connection is aggravating.

¦ Have a copy of your resume in front of you as well as a copy of the job description or posting (if available to you). Research the company in advance.

¦ Smile. Be energetic and enthusiastic. Convey interest!

¦ Avoid early questions about benefits and compensation unless the interviewer raises these topics first. At this stage, assessing your qualifications is the purpose of the call.

¦ Ask about the next step. Express your interest in an in-person interview and offer available dates and times.

¦ E-mail a quick note of thanks, even though you might have thanked the interviewer on the phone. In the e-mail, reiterate your interest and summarize your availability.

¦ And my pet peeve — check your e-mail often after the phone interview! Candidates don’t do this and miss out on opportunities!

With each telephone interview, you should become more experienced and hopefully more successful.

Patricia Hunt Sinacole is president of First Beacon Group in Hopkinton.