It’s super easy to mess up your phone interview, which isn’t the best news when companies use it as a gateway to a face-to-face chance. That’s why you should never treat a phone interview as a quick throwaway. In fact, you should prepare as well as—and even more than—you would for the in-person version.

To conquer the extra variables unique to a phone interview:

1. Make sure you can hear each other. Take the interview somewhere quiet—a locked home office or your parked car, not your children’s playroom or a busy laundromat. Then test your phone reception and your headset by calling a friend first. You want to be sure static doesn’t cause uncomfortable repetition of, “I’m sorry, what?”
2. Be on time. Arriving on time is Interviewing 101! So if you have a call scheduled for 3 p.m., call your interviewer at 3 p.m., not at 3:10, and not at 2:50. Show off your conscientiousness!
3. Give concise answers. Brief, well-constructed answers are key during an in-person interview, and especially on the phone where there are no visuals to distract from your voice. This shortens attention spans and highlights your every “um” and “like.” Practice your answers in advance and keep an eye on the clock to know when you’ve said enough.
4. Wait your turn to talk. You’re eager and you’re nervous—your interviewer gets this. But even as adrenaline pushes you to talk faster and louder, try not to interrupt your interviewer. It’s totally rude and it shows aggression instead of assertion.
5. Focus on what’s in front of you. You wouldn’t eat lunch or use the bathroom during an in-person interview. Why would you do it during a phone interview? Not only does multitasking distract you from crafting stellar answers, but interviewers can hear this other activity. Whether it’s dirty dishes, dinner preparation, or your fantasy football lineup, phone interviews are short and important enough to stave off whatever else beckons. And never put your interviewer on hold!

When it comes to phone interviews, prepare as you would for an in-person interview, and then prepare some more. You want to make the showing that gets you invited back!