Paralyzing fear of talking on the phone is hurting me in finding a job

[Seen the light]

Graduated from college last week and I've been emailing prospective employers this week in order to find a job and I'm to the point of where I need to start calling some of these people. However, I have an almost paralyzing fear of talking to people on the phone if I don't really know them.

Tips on how to get over this?

[CatholicEdHead]

1. Go do practice interactions with college and state job services

They can go through mock calls so you can get used to it.

[TrogL]

2. Get a really good headset for your phone

I have the same problem. My problem is related to my not being able to clearly understand what they're saying. I find if the audio is really good, it helps a bit.

[zanne]

3. Do you have social anxiety? nt

[demmiblue]

4. Practice by calling stores and asking general info!

[Parche]

5. CALL ME

I will get you through it.....

:woohoo: :woohoo:

:hi:
:hug:

[NJmaverick]

6. Just make as many phone calls as possible. Phone fears quickly dissappear with practice

volunteer to work a political campaign's phone bank. You will be an old pro in no time

[Lars39]

7. Write down your pertinent information, including your phone number.

Write down questions you think you might want to ask. Having a cheat sheet helps. :hug:

[crimsonblue]

8. have a friend come over

give them the list of numbers and have them dial and then give you the phone. It may be harsh, but it's effective (my fiancée has had to do that with me before).

[Midlodemocrat]

9. Try Toastmasters. An organzation that helps people learn to

speak in public. If you can do that, talking on the phone should be a snap.

Good luck.

[AngryAmish]

10. Get drunk first

[harmonicon]

11. You just have to break down and do it, I'm afraid

I'm the same way. As someone else said, keep a pen and paper ready. You'll be ok. Maybe you ought to call in the reverse order of preference. That way, if you for some reason do get really nervous, it's not the greatest loss in the world.

[Haole Girl]

12. When I fear something, I do it over & over....

..until I don't fear it anymore.

It doesn't always work, though. Good luck! :hug:

[Redbear]

13. Acting.

It works for me. Pretend it's not you that are calling but that you are playing the role of someone who is looking for a job and is calling.

[5LeavesLeft]

14. Find some networking places

churches usually have some, and they don't check your religious credentials. They're a great place to practice talking to people and asking for jobs. My friend always had the cajones to cold call people and say "Here I am, give me a job". He said the key is to just establish a rapport with whomever answers the phone (in HR, or better, the department head where you want a job, etc.) and just get your name out there.

[SoDesuKa]

15. You're Not Alone

Cold calling is tough even for experienced sales professionals. Google "cold calling tips" for ideas how to go about it. You need to distance yourself emotionally from the inevitable rejections. Finding a job these days means you have to get over yourself.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

16. vodka

No?

Kidding.

I have the same problem.

I pretend to be someone else. Really. I don't use a fake name, I just pretend to be someone else. It was suggested by a psychology professor I had in college.