My friend is offering to refer me to a job at his workplace. I would be working front desk, answering phone calls, greeting people, giving them information, etc. This is a lot different than the jobs that I’ve had before– I’ve only ever cashiered and made drinks. I feel like this is a great opportunity for me, not only because it’s obviously a great job and less stressful than any other job I’ve ever had, but because I can work on my people skills.
The thing that’s holding me back is my shyness. I honestly don’t know how to talk to adults, and I’ll be talking to a lot of parents at this new job. I’m really afraid that I won’t be engaging enough. I’m really awkward when I talk to adults so I’m afraid that while I’m giving out information, I’ll stutter or talk really fast or something like that. Talking to them is one thing, but when they try to start an actual conversation with me I really don’t know what to say and it’s so embarrassing. I don’t want the people there to hire me and despise me for being so quiet and shy, when obviously a front desk associate is supposed to be everything but shy.
I’m sixteen, and this feels like a really good chance to put myself out there and build connections with people. I wanna take the job, but a part of me feels like I won’t be good at it and I wanna settle for something less, like cashiering again. I know nothing really happens inside of a comfort zone, but I’m so afraid of stepping out of it and I don’t know how to shake the fear that I’ll screw up.
