[Getting started]
Taking a call in English can quickly lead to stress... especially when you're just starting out! So don't tremble when the phone rings: here are a few essential phrases to make your English phone calls a success.
Knowing how to take a call in English is always a professional asset. And it's an even more valuable skill if you work in reception, sales or customer assistance. A few good reflexes and the right vocabulary will enable you to be clear, polite and efficient from the very first seconds of the conversation.
Introduce yourself
"Hello, [full name] speaking."
"First name + surname, speaking.
→ In the case of a direct call on a dedicated business line, in small teams or where relationships have already been established, it is not useful to indicate the company or department.
"Hi, this is [name].
"Hello, this is [first name].
→ More informal.
[Testimonial]
I work in the communications department of a French company. One morning, I receive a call from London, transferred by the switchboard - this kind of call is quite rare in France. At the other end of the line, a woman was speaking to me in English... but with an accent that I found hard to understand. I don't have a bad level of English, though: I can understand most of what she's saying, but when she speaks, everything gets complicated. I lose my train of thought, I'm at a loss for words. Embarrassed, I decided to cut the call short.
I would have liked to know a few simple ways of prolonging the conversation, asking questions to better understand the purpose of the call, transferring the call to the right person or tactfully putting them off. When I googled her name, I discovered that she worked for the British subsidiary of a communications agency based in Madrid. So it was a prospecting call, as I suspected. There was nothing at stake this time, but next time I'd like to be prepared!
Some key phrases:
"How can I help you?"
"How can I help you?"
"Just a moment, I'll transfer your call." or "Just a moment, I'll put you through."
"One moment, I'll put him on.
"I'm afraid he's not available right now."
"I'm sorry, he's not available at the moment."
"Could you call back later, please?"
"Can you call back later?"
"Would you like to leave a message?
"Would you like to leave a message?
"Thank you for your call. Goodbye."
"Thank you for your call. Goodbye."
[Vocabulary]
"Hold the line, please."
or "Hold on a moment, please."
"Hold, please."
[Also read]
Introducing yourself, asking for someone, closing politely... Make your English phone calls a success with these essential expressions!
