Phone anxiety..... is this a thing

[Firefightress1]

I'm prepared to be educated but I've been helping a friend recruit for a job in a hotel. She created a job advert and we posted it online and on social media.

It gave details about the job and she had put her phone number to call to apply or for further info. She wanted to talk to candidates as its the way she has always recruited. It might be old school, I don't know.

Anyway, She had a lot of responses on Facebook and through private messages but no calls.
I replied on the post just to say to call the phone number as its quicker and she might not monitor replies and I was met with a barrage of unkind comments.

A majority saying they cannot phone as they have phone anxiety, this is a recognised trait and I should be more understanding. The job involves answering the phone in occasion and making outgoing calls to suppliers.

I'm so confused, I've never heard of it!
Everyone has a mobile phone but does no one actually make calls anymore?
I'm only 40 so not ancient but I'm no spring chicken either.
Just wondering if I'm totally unreasonable? How can they do the a job if they can't even call to apply. I'm 😕

No idea why there's a poll, I was just looking for others experiences .

I prefer to email or msg, but yes, I can use the phone when I have to. Might have to psych myself up, but it's doable, as it is for my ASD DD.
However.. neither of us would have applied for the job as you've made it perfectly clear that this is what's required!
I'd be wondering if the applicants can't READ.. :-0

I used to have it!! Mine was mostly due to hearing problems so now I just straight up say if I’m having trouble

but I also see that if you can’t use a phone there are a lot of jobs that will not be suited.

calling clients
calling service users
calling other staff
calling your manager
calling to place orders
calling to network with other businesses

it is basically used in all jobs and I wouldn’t have my job now if I couldn’t call people!

I understand that you can make reasonable adjustments to help others carry out their work but no phone contact at all is pretty much impossible in a hotel! My friend is worried she will be accused of discrimination if its a recognised medical issue.

I'd be surprised if it's a "recognised" thing but there are more people who dislike speaking on the phone. They're ruling themselves out of the job though.

In fairness, if she explicitly wants a verbal conversation prior to applying then the advert should state this clearly. I have no problem speaking on the phobe but these days, I would always email rather than phone, as i think this is more convenient for both me and the employer.

I know people who dislike speaking on the phone but if you are in any public facing role it’s a luxury you can’t really afford tbh.

Loads of people are now crap at voice calls but that's no good for a job that requires you to make voice calls. It's like people moaning that the application process for being a music teacher involves being able to demonstrate playing an instrument. They need to get over themselves if they want the job.

I wa s a 999 operator for 12 years and my whole job was on the phone, I would definitely not recommend that to everyone but so many jobs now still require some form of talking contact whether by phone or face to face.

I am the same age as you and have dreadful phone anxiety! I can’t bear speaking on the phone and would always email or go in person/face to face. I do probably have ADHD though and find conversations without body language challenging.

I get anxious speaking on the phone but I have to do it often at work, so I just force myself, really. When I first started working (days of handset phones) the handset would actually be dripping with sweat by the time I had finished a call because I was so nervous. It isn't something you 'get over' but you can learn to manage it.

Absolutely, @SnowyPetals

I completely agree but she didn't provide an email or ask for private messages. It clearly says call in to the hotel to apply or call the number. People have disregarded that anyway asking for an email or sending messages. It's just so different now in recruitment.

I absolutely hate speaking on the phone and is my least preferred method of communication. My hearing isn't great though so that might feed into it. I just feel so awkward on the phone.

However if I was applying for a job, especially one that would require phone contact in the role, then I would do it.

Phone anxiety is real and it exists for people of every age. It’s just a variant of social anxiety.

it is a fundamental incompatibility with a job that requires large amounts of time on the phone though.

Lolz 😂 just ignore and do not engage with the Facebook comments. If they can’t be bothered to apply properly then the jobs not for them. Probably best to put the job ad on a proper job site though! Facebooks not great

I hate using the phone. I could be calling when someone is busy and it will be intrusive or make them late or stressed. I don't hear too well, especially if there is background noise and have ADHD so I could miss something or forget to write down any details given verbally. I find verbal instructions extremely hard to follow.

An email or text is clear. You can refer back to information in it. It is a 'paper trail.' People can read it when they have time and can concentrate.

A majority saying they cannot phone as they have phone anxiety, this is a recognised trait and I should be more understanding. The job involves answering the phone in occasion and making outgoing calls to suppliers.

If the job involves answering the phone and making calls, then people with 'phone anxiety' shouldn't apply and I say that as someone with phone anxiety due to hearing loss and autism (not knowing when to speak, talking over people, not recognising social cues, not being able to hear etc).

It seems to me that this culture of 'be kind' and have more understanding is going too far. There are some jobs that some people just cannot do. For example, a blind person could not drive an ambulance.

I don't understand why it's expected that accommodations would be made when a requirement of the job is to answer the bloody phone? perhaps my lack of understanding is due to autism black and white thinking

I assume it's obvious that the job is based in hospitality and will require the ability to communicate with other people by phone and face to face. Therefore, anyone applying for the job who won't make a phone call is probably just doing it to tick the box for benefits. People who have a problem with phones won't apply.

If they can't follow basic instructions (come in or call) and they have 'phone anxiety' then they are not suitable for the job that involves making/answering calls from the off.

No need to read or answer any messages as thats not what the advert asked for. Focus on those that have followed the instructions.

I really have to agree but I'm conscious of not understanding the issue. A lot iof applications now ask if you need suitable adjustments for application and interview. Would phone anxiety meet this criteria?

You only have to take disability onboard if reasonable adjustments can be made. If the job requires speaking on the phone, then it's fine for the interview process to involve it.

I HATE speaking on the phone and avoid it as much as I can at home. I have to do it at work though, I just try to grin and bear it.

I have social anxiety and phone calls can terrify me. I avoid them at all costs. I have a job where I don’t need to use the phone a lot and avoid it where I can but I can call if required and perform well.

I wouldn’t apply for a job where it was frequently required to fulfill my duties

I believe it is a recognised phobia.
I have no problem with work calls but find social, voice interaction on the phone very challenging. I hate being 'put on the spot' and I fear being mis-quoted. I also find a call very intrusive unlike a text/e-mail.

I hate phoning people, especially if it's someone I don't know, I'm a bit better if someone calls me, been like it since I was a kid. I force myself if I have to, but I hate it.