Before you say, "what, you couldn't transfer calls with InphoniteVoice before?" Let me explain. Before the latest update you could do transfers using the old flash hook method or, for VoIP implementations, we would do blind transfers by sending a SIP REFER command. But what if your phone lines don't support flash hook transfers, or perhaps your VoIP provider doesn't support the REFER command? Before the update you were out of luck. But now you can do transfers regardless of your phone line's capabilities. The way the new transfer method works is more like a conference call. The system automatically places a call on one of the lines reserved for transfer and then connects the calls together. The only disadvantage of this method is that you must have extra lines available for the transfer capability. To configure this new feature:

• Open the InphoniteVoice Administrator Client and bring up the channel configuration:

Most of our users are not geeks. They can turn on computers and use them to accomplish things, but when it comes to changing domain rights or networking computers together, they're lost. And they should be; that's not their area of expertise. So we in the Support Department at Inphonite often find ourselves speaking with geeks who have been brought in for a specific purpose: to troubleshoot the things that non-geeks don't have the time or desire to try to figure out.

IT consultants are a great resource. They often are involved in the installation of our products, or in troubleshooting some mysterious problem that all-of-a-sudden cropped up. In those situations, your geek needs to talk to our geek, and soon. Of course, the support engineers at Inphonite can sometimes seem a little hard to reach, and the smallest delay seems like hours when you're paying someone $65 an hour to be there.

Most software vendors — including Inphonite — make their support representatives available for scheduled appointments. Quite frankly, this is the best way to make sure that a geek here is available for your geek there. Since you probably have to schedule time with your IT person, schedule time with our support engineer at the same time. This way, you can have the peace of mind knowing that everyone who needs to be involved in your installation process or in troubleshooting your mysterious issue will be available. No calling in a panic needed. And no paying someone $65 an hour to sit by the phone playing solitaire.

Get That Job! (Part three – Energy)

Here is an excellent example of how important personal energy is during the interview.

The person who got the receptionist job I was talking about in my earlier blog has great energy. At her interview she smiled a lot. She exhibited passion for things she’s done in her life. She was forthcoming and vibrant. Basically, she had a personality and she let it show. The interview is the time to do that. That doesn’t mean to criticize or tell jokes the entire time, however.

Another thing she did that made her stand out was to learn the name of her interviewer, get a business card and send a follow up email. A follow up email keeps an interviewee in an interviewer’s mind, and makes them more memorable. When a candidate takes the time to do that, they show that they really are interested in the job.

When interviewing people, I also need to know that a candidate’s energy is going to work within our company and with our team. Let’s face it, someone that is angry about the hand they’ve been dealt in life is not going to be the best person on the phone with customers. I am not saying you can’t be angry. I am saying, you need to not bring it the interview with you, and ultimately, to any job you get. Imagine putting it in a little container and closing the container. I want to see and feel positive energy, not negative.

As employers, we do realize that the job market is tough right now and that a lot of people need a job. When I ask the question, “Why should we hire you?” the answer we hear sometimes is, “Because I need a job.” Going on about your personal problems is not going to help get you a job. I’m sorry. I truly am. It’s heartbreaking because I would love to hire everyone, and I can’t. I must make the best choices for the company. I need to hire someone that is right for the position and right for our team. I need you to tell me how you are the best qualified candidate for the job.

So to sum it up, it doesn’t matter if you are given 5 minutes or an hour, be prepared, presentable and have a personality. This is your big chance to “WOW!” me.

Good luck!