Q. I have a phone interview coming up. How can I stand out and sound good over the phone?

A. Start simple: be concise, be yourself and be calm. Once you've got that, try these suggestions.

• Cut the static. Go to a quiet room free of distractions. Consider using a land line instead of a cell phone to avoid cutouts or buzzing.
• Practice. Type up some prepared answers to basic questions. Make sure you're not talking too fast, speaking in a monotone voice, or adding any unnecessary fillers (i.e. "um" or "like").
• Project. Smile and stay upbeat. Smiling projects a positive image, and your overall disposition can be heard over the phone.
• Organize. Keep a pencil and pad handy to write down notes, and have your résumé and cover letter handy for reference. Bring a glass of water so your mouth doesn't get dry; just don't slurp.
   

Good luck!

Q. I own a small business that I operate from my house. Do I need a business permit?

A. It depends. Different municipalities have their own laws regulating businesses. As an example, these are the variations between Portland, Oregon and Portland, Maine.

Portland, OR: You need to spend $123 on a two-year "home occupation permit," but only if you have up to one nonresidential employee, or if customers come to your residence for business purposes.

Portland, ME: A "home occupation permit" costs $225, and you have to get it even if you're going to be running the business by yourself or never see a customer face-to-face.

Business.gov can walk you through the process and provide links to your local and regional governments' business resources. Also, talk to your city hall; it may be the most direct way to get your questions answered.

Editor's Note: When answering your questions, brass consults with experienced professionals from a wide spectrum of industries. We utilize their expertise to give you the answers you need, but it's always wise to seek additional opinions from other professionals.

Sources: business.gov, worktree.com, careerbuilder.com, portlandonline.com, collegegrad.com, portland.me.us