Talk me through a conference call

[ThyrilThneer]

I've got my first ever conference call tomorrow for work and my anxiety is going crazy. I know I'll be fine but can someone talk me through how it works please?
I've got a number to call and an access code. I'm not sure what happens next.

Is it just phone/audio, or video too? 1:1 or a group?

That's it. Dial the number, voice asks you to enter your code, usually followed by hash . Sometimes it will ask you to speak your name, but not often

If it's a small conference, you should then say hello and your name so people can recognise your voice.

If it's a big call and you don't have a headset you need to avoid any background noise

Various systems are slightly different, but it'll be something like this:

1 - dial the number
2 - you'll probably hear a recorded voice say something like, "welcome to the conference call, please enter your ID/code followed by the pound sign / hash" (both mean this - #)
3 - enter your call ID on the phone dial pad
4 - you'll either get added straight into a call or the recorded voice will ask you say your name. Just say it clearly without too long a pause.
5 - the recorded voice might say, "you are now joining the conference call. You are the (3rd, 6th, 8th / however many number) participant. Or, if the host is late, the voice will say, "the host has not yet activated the call, you will hear hold music until the call begins".

Hope that helps!

If it's a big call and you're somewhere where there might be background noise, it's easiest to put your phone on mute.

For mine, there is then a recorded message that asks you to leave your name after the beep.
Pleasantries exchanged with whoever is there already/who joins after you.
My manager then takes the lead, giving a rundown of any new government advice that affects our business and how we are to respond, any company updates that affect our department, finally an opportunity to ask any questions or raise issues that may affect or be of interest to others on the call, then goodbyes.
I don't really speak other than good morning/how are you/fine thanks/goodbye

It'll be straightforward!

Call the number and normally a recorded message plays, asking you to enter your access code. You usually have to enter # after the access code (but may be another button, just listen to the message or follow the instructions you have).

Depending on the setup, you may go into the call directly or another recorded message plays, asking you to state your name followed by another # (I normally skip this part and press # directly).

And then you'll be in - either the person chairing the meeting will ask "who's just joined?" or you just state "hi - it's thyrilthneer". (If the chair hasn't opened the call yet, you'll hear hold music until they do, and then lots of beeps as everyone joins.)

If you mess up and enter the wrong access code, there will be a message saying your code isn't recognised. Either enter it again or you can just hang up and redial.

Hopefully this helps! You can probably practice this evening by just dialling the number and listening to the instructions if that will reduce your anxiety - unlikely another conference call is happening today, so you'll just get a message (after you enter the access code) saying that you're waiting for the meeting to start and the hold music.

Someone said to me the other day to put my phone on mute. I know I am being thick but wouldnt they then not be able to hear when I talk? Or you take it off mute to talk?

You unmute to speak, then press mute again.

You unmute when you need to talk. Lots don't talk and there's often a slight delay so too many talking can confuse the flow sometimes.

Muting yourself is courteous when there are many people involved. It reduces background noise and the sound of people breathing. Unmute when you want to speak and then mute again afterwards.

Thanks so much everyone, I'm feeling much calmer now.
It's just a voice call thankfully and I'll be calling from my mobile.
Once I've got over that tomorrow my next task is to work out how to join the zoom thing on the computer for Slimming World, although I'm not so worried about making a twat out of myself in front of them!

These are my tips
mute when not talking, you will forget, everyone does.
To get someone's attention or interrupt use their name "John" everyone stops when they hear their name
-you can also put text messages in the chat window on Skype/ Teams e.g. 'I need to go in 5 mins'
Slightly cheer up your voice to compensate for lack of presence, think radio DJ/bedtime story voice.

Biggest thing to know is how to mute yourself. I spend about 30 hours a week on calls (global business) and even though conference calls are a way of life to us in the last week I’ve heard someone burp, someone go to the loo, and someone about a million kids ask for a snack.

Is it zoom?

For zoom you have to download an app if you want to join by video, so give yourself a few extra minutes.