How do I make phone calls less scary?

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I recently acquired a summer temp job in an office that offers pretty good pay and nice hours. I would be super glad to have this position except that the job involves far more phone calls than I had anticipated. I knew some phone calling would be involved when I applied, but I didn’t want to let my phone anxiety get in the way of getting a job. I figured I could deal with making a few calls every day, but it turns out that I have to make upwards of 15-20 calls to complete strangers every day, all in a row. It’s mostly reading off a script, but even so I get anxious that I will mess up, that I won’t be able to understand the other person, or that they’ll get angry. I thought after a while it would go away, but I still absolutely dread them and they’re pretty much all I can think about before and during work. How can I make these more manageable so I don’t constantly feel ill at work?

Category: Tags: asked June 11, 2013

2 Answers

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I use to have the same exact story, I swear. I'm no professional but I hope this helps. Last year I was forced to take Speech for college. I dreaded it. I was so afraid because I was afraid to seem like an idiot, someone who is stupid and awkward. Well guess what, everyone else felt the same exact way! After that class, I felt a tiny bit more confident. I then landed an interview to work at Walt Disney World, in front of people, as a pirate and also having to cater to thousands of people everyday answering questions. I was so afraid I was going to embarass myself or seem like the worst employee ever. I was afraid I would start studdering to people or not understand peoples accents since I would be dealing with people all over the world. After the first week, I was 100% fine. It wasn't as bad as I thought. Don't think you are alone, if you cannot understand them then probably nobody else will either. Talk to your team leader to find out if this situation came to place. Don't be afraid to ask ridiculous questions. You've already got the job, so they already like you. After the first few calls I think you will be great. Just stay positive and say, hey I got this everythings cool, I run this. Put your personality into it and everything will flow just right.
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i believe that every call you make will bring you one call closer to being phoneanxiety free. Really, think about it, rome was not built in a day, and a masterpiece takes time. So it may not happen over night, but trust me , if you stick with it , you will over come your fear of that phone. I was in a position much like yours, a few months ago i started a new job that involves answering the phone and redirecting incomming calls. what worked for me was facing that phone 40 hours a week for 2 1/2 months. You just have to accept it , make your mind up , if you wish to keep your job tjen every day when you sit down in front of that phone, first look at it, notice how much smaller it s compared to you....take a deep breath.....pause and say , ...." I got this" .....then smile., and begin your shift....it worked for.me after about a month...... ......it's either that or go to the doctor for something to calm you down.