From the interviewer's point of view

Stand out from the crowd

Prove that you are the right kind of person for the job. Employers like motivated people - so show your initiative. Qualifications are important, but employers also look for additional qualities.

Employers are looking for people who:

are motivated and keen
can work in a team
can learn new skills
are well presented
are confident
will put in time and effort
have a good work history
have relevant experience

Interviewers know though experience and research that what appears to be a more informal chat than a 'grilling' tends to put a candidate at ease to get a more honest response. This gives valuable insight into the candidate's personality traits, rather than simply an understanding of their skills and experience.

So remember that the recruiter will be noticing your body language:

The initial shaking of the hand and introduction tell so much about you
As does your ongoing seating position, use of hands and use of eye contact

Short phone interviews

Contacting organisations and companies is inevitable when searching for job. Whether you apply unsolicited, or you ask questions about an interesting job or you call the HR department after having sent application and CV, it is important to keep detailed track on the status of all your contacts. Most probably you are applying for several jobs at the same time like everybody else.

Keep a job search diary to keep records of those companies, which you have contacted

Don't underestimate unsolicited phone calls

Inspirational phrases you could use for unsolicited calls:

Hello, my name is Charles Dupont. Could you please tell me who hires your company's staff and put me through to them?
Hello Cecile, my name is Charles Dupont.
I've had a few years experience in political organisations, and I'd like to meet with you and talk about possible job opportunities with your company.
Would you mind if I come in and talk with you anyway, in case you have an unexpected vacancy?
Are you aware of any other departments who may need staff at the moment?
Do you have a contact name there? Would you mind if I said you suggested calling them?
Are you aware of your company changing structure or planning to establish new departments?
Have you heard that your competitor, so and so, are creating an office in Brussels to be more present before the political decisions?
I'd like to check back with you in a week or two just to see if anything has come up.
In the meantime, I'll pop my CV in the mail to you.
Thank you very much for your time, Cecile.