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 😕

It seems to be a millennial and younger generation thing. They're so used to not talking to an actual human being any more.

That's what I thought but apparently not, there seems to be loads of people any age with the same issue. I definitely think it will definitely get worse with the next generation. They never phone or answer their phone!

"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?"

Yes, but only if the job doesn't involve telephone speaking. My DD struggles with using the phone because of her autism and S&L issues. She works in catering/hospitality and has had adjustments made. She also has had video calls from her mortgage provider etc. It's easy to work around.

I reckon I have the opposite. I have anxiety about customer services that only offer an email contact , because you know no one will ever reply. I'd much rather talk to a human being.

It is very real, but then I wouldn’t be applying for a role that requires it.

I don’t listen to podcasts or radio either where I can’t see the person speaking.

Isn't it a bit ridiculous to apply for a job that you can't actually do, unless adjustments to the job description are made? I'm not a fan of snakes so I wouldn't apply for a job cleaning out the snakes in the reptile house at a zoo and expect someone else to handle the snakes for me!

Where has it come from though, before smart phones and laptops we only had the phone. My mum n dad used to go ballistic because I spent to long talking on the phone. It's amazing that this is now a real issue

I had this after lockdown. Was very phone-shy!

I'm a similar age to you and have phone anxiety. I have to spend half a day building up the courage to call the hairdresser or a builder. If I can do something online / via email I will. Interestingly I work in a public facing role talking to people face to face and on the phone all day long and I'm absolutely fine with that!

I wonder if all those people who apparently can't manage a phone call ever wonder how people managed to communicate to invent all the things that mean they don't have to use the phone

I started work in the 1980s, phone anxiety wasnt a thing then, makes you wonder why it's become one now. The world would have stopped functioning if the computer hadnt been invented surely.

I agree but there is definitely a shift now to supporting people in the workplace. I completely agree with most recommendations but I wouldn't apply either. Theres nothing to stop people applying even if they don't meet the criteria. If a hotel loses business because you can't answer the phone then it's definitely not viable.

I can see both sides of this. Candidates might be fine day to day when that's their job, but worried about catching the advertiser at the wrong moment and annoying them.

Often ads give a phone number but mean call if you're unsure of something about the application process, rather than as the default contact method for stating your interest. You never know who will see it as taking initiative and who will read it as getting underfoot.

To me I wouldn't call because it sounds dodgy. I hate the call for more details. I want details in writing not just a spoken conversation.
I also hate phone calls (although can do them for work) so wouldn't call

I can't do phone calls due to anxiety, but I wouldn't be applying to a job where that was a requirement, the applicants are being unreasonable of that's one of the tsks

I'm 43 and texting/emailing back and forth does my head in. Just call it's quicker. I Unfortunately 'phone anxiety' is a result of modern technology (I realise that makes me sound ancient but it's true). If you apply for a job that requires speaking on the phone then you need to be able to do just that or tough tits I'm afraid, apply for another job.

It says call to apply or for more details. I thought that was quite clear.

Yes, it's a thing! I have severe social anxiety (and strongly suspect I have ASD) and absolutely hate having to make or receive phone calls. Making them feels intensely rude to me, like striding into a room, interrupting whatever the person is doing and going 'PAY ATTENTION TO ME NOW!!', and receiving them gives me a hige jolt of anxiety as soon as the phone rings. I can cope with short businesslike calls, but I feel very trapped by people ringing for a chat - I feel rude saying if it's a bad time, but I can never think of the right thing to say, I get rapidly exhausted by the whole process, and I find it impossible to interject if I need a wee or my son needs me or something! This meme has it spot on for me!!

Ha, I get interview anxiety. Maybe I should be given a job but excused from going to the interview! Bonkers!

I should add I am very sympathetic to people who are suffering from extreme anxiety but this is like applying for a job being a lawn mower and then saying you can't do be made to cut grass because of hay fever.

@Firefightress1 yes but how many good jobs say that. Most have online applications/send your CV here and then an email address for queries so it's all written.
It's also leaving your friend open to issues if there is a discrepancy between what is said on the phone and what a applicant remembers being said as there is no record of conversation

I’m 30 and hate talking on the phone.

However, I still do it and I would not tell a potential employer about it as I just suck it up and do it.

I remember answering the house phone or having to call a friends house as we didn’t have mobiles, so I can see why the younger generation may not have any experience using the phone and I do feel for them but I would not hire anyone who couldn’t speak on the phone, as even if it’s not a phone role, you may still need to phone someone if it’s an emergency.

Thanks for your input, would you apply for a job that requires you to talk on the phone or would you avoid it like the plague

It's definitely not a new thing. I'm 56 and have hated talking on the phone for as long as I can remember, long before we had mobile phones, just landlines and it's not like I'm particularly shy or anything, I just hate it, always have, no idea why. Very happy that I can just text friends now 😊

Hanks, It's just an initial application call to talk about the role, salary etc. There would be a full interview and possibly a second interview to follow on. I think this is normal but that's why I posted, incase I'm way out of touch.

Thanks, not hanks!

@Firefightress1 to be honest I would have all job descriptions and salary clearly written out on the advert (that way only those interested apply!). Then have a please call for any further information you may require.
And have an email for applications. That way it's a clear thread