Telephone interviews have become a common tool for narrowing down the candidate pool, especially when hiring managers have a large number of applicants who look similar on paper. Phone interviews can be tricky, though, because you can't make eye contact or observe the interviewer's body language. These tips can help:

Use a land line. It's more professional to use a land line when answering a call from a hiring manager for a phone interview. It demonstrates that you've made an effort to carve out a special time and place for the call, and you'll have a better connection.

Seek silence. Do your best to remove all distractions and background noise, such as barking dogs, the sound of kids playing, ringing cell phones and door bells.

Refer to notes. Keep notes at your fingertips and jot things down as the interviewer talks. Have some questions of your own ready to ask.

Speak clearly. Make sure your interviewer can hear you plainly. Speak directly into your phone or headset and let him or her finish speaking before you respond.

Smile. This may sound like odd advice, but if you smile when you respond, you'll come across as more energetic and positive. Some people even suggest putting a mirror in front of you to help you remember to smile and be engaging.

Follow up. Send a note thanking the interviewer and reiterating your key points.