What should you say when answering the phone?

When answering your own phone a simple "Hello" will do.

You may be more formal and say: "Smith residence, this is Terry"

If you are picking up the phone after someone has called you to it: "This is Terry (your first name)."

When answering a residential phone belonging to friends or family "You have reached the Smith residence, how may I help you?" use the last/family name of the household.

When answering a business phone check with your employer for the Wording they prefer, but something like "Thank you for calling XYZ company, how may I direct your call?" will work.

If you are answering your own phone (extension) at work: "Good day, this is Terry Smith (use your correct name), how may I help you?" is fine, unless the company has a preferred method of answering. Check with your employer.

In some cases, where you are working in a specific department and the phone is not your sole responsibility, you could use: "Shipping & Receiving, this is Terry, how may I help you?"

* NOTE* When identifying yourself on the phone try not to say "This is Terry speaking" it makes it sound as if your last name is Speaking.