Starting a call with confidence

Here is some key language you can use on the telephone to start a call with confidence.

In companies, it is common to answer the telephone with the phrases below:
Hello, Good afternoon, Creative Designs, Janet speaking
Hello, Engineering department, Janet speaking.
Hello, Janet speaking.

Calling someone:
Hello Janet, may I speak with Simon Anderson please
TIP: Using modal verbs “May” or “Could” is a polite way of asking for someone. It is also good practise to start with a greeting and state your name and company.
Good Morning/Good Afternoon, this is _______ (your name) from _________(your company)
Hello, it’s Elon Munk from Munk Associates here.

To ask to speak to someone you can say:
I’d like to speak to __________ please
Could/May I speak to _______ please
Could you put me through to __________(the name of the person), please?
Could you connect me with ___________ (or the extension number), please?

If the caller does not give his/her name or company, these are the ways you can ask politely, again using modal verbs at the beginning of your question:
May I know you name please?
May I know who’s calling please?
Could I tell him who’s calling?

And asking for the reason of their call:
May I know the reason of your call?
May I know the subject of your call?
How may I help you?
Could you tell me what you’re calling about? 

To explain the reason for your call:
Sure, I’m calling about … 
I’m calling to ask …
The reason I’m calling is to …
I’m returning his / her call from yesterday
It’s a private matter / It’s personal
TIP: Use this phrase if you don’t want to tell the reason of your call.

To transfer a call to someone else:
Just one moment, I’ll put you through to ________.
Please hold the line. 
Hold the line please, I’ll connect you.
Yes, I’ll pass you to him/her

Now you’ll have a chance to check your understanding of these key phrases.