My boss has a direct line, but she is a professor/department director, so even saying "This is Professor Smith" would help.

I say the [organization], this is {first name].

At one point we changed our name to Edvantage (instead of Center for Lifelong Learning). We have a local credit union named "Advantage". That was very confusing to callers.

Also, "This is Jesse" is too many esses, so I just say "Jesse Lastname."

I answer with my full name. Everyone who called me on purpose knows what company it is, and I'd never remember to check if it was internal or external calling.

I cover myself by answering any and all phones, including my own personal cell and my mother's phone, "[Agency], this is Aimee."

And then people laugh at me.

I'm so used to it that if a phone rings on the television I say, in my head, "[Agency], this is Aimee."

While at work, I check the caller ID - if it's work-related or I don't recognize the caller, I say "Tom here." If it's a friend, I just say something like "Hello?" or "Penguin?"

( whatever ) library Beth speaking. At the main library it is Children's room Beth Speaking Sometimes I say the wrong library. But it still gets the basic point off

When I answer the phone at home, I have to hesitate so I don't go into the standard tech line greeting script. And when I've called someone and am hanging up, I have to keep myself from saying "Thanks for calling."

I just answer with my first and last name.

You could, or assuming that most people are trying to call you

Most people are recruiters.

I cover myself by answering any and all phones, including my own personal cell and my mother's phone, "[Agency], this is Aimee."

And then people laugh at me.

Oh yeah. I worked at Michigan Book and Supply for a few months after grad school, and when I went back home for Christmas, I was this close to answering our home phone, "Michigan Book and Supply, this is Sunil."

Nobody ever calls me.