1) have decent experience 2) be decent at interviews I've had more than one promising candidate that just blew the phone screen or interview for various reason

1) have decent experience 2) be decent at interviews I've had more than one promising candidate that just blew the phone screen or interview for various reasons. Speak up, don't mumble, don't take the call in a coffee shop or outside in the wind ffs. You'd be surprised how much this affects my hiring decision (continue on the process and explain to my team/boss why I recommended a mumbler with a barking dog).