How to cope with a Telephone Interview when you have Social Anxiety.

When you are applying for a job some companies find it helpful to arrange a telephone interview before deciding whether or not to meet you in person for the actual formal interview. This makes sense on paper but if like me you have social anxiety and what is known as ‘phone-phobia’ well its not that straight forward. 

In light of this I thought that I would put together a few coping strategies to help me prepare for the dreaded  ‘telephone interview’ *shudders* and if its of any help to anyone else well then that’s a bonus right?

1. Practice 
   

As predicable and annoying as it sounds practice is actually your first port of call. I often panic when an unknown number flashes up on my phone and refuse to answer it so try and get a friend or member of your family to ring you on a private number. 

• You can change this by going to the settings menu, then phone and turn off caller ID. 

2. Write down what you want to say

I often get tongue tied when faced with a telephone call so like to have a ‘script’ written out prompting me about what to say. As with any interview however you cant be 100% certain what questions they will ask so I generally spend the day before thinking about how I would answer some of the more popular interview questions and write down what my answer would be. Therefore I have something to look at and prompt  me when (not if)  I get stuck.

3. Be prepared 

Regardless of what form your job interview takes you should always try to be as prepared as you possibly can. Do your research and find out exactly who the company, that you are applying for, are and what what it is they do. You might want to look in to past projects that the company has worked on so if everything else fails at least you have something to talk about.

4. Stay Calm 

This is probably one of the more difficult ones to be honest. Staying calm - and not flying off the handle - is not exactly my strong point. Take deep breaths before answering the call. Remember they can’t actually see you so find a comfortable position and let yourself relax. 

5. Have a copy of your CV to hand 

This is actually very similar to my second point as your CV will act as a ‘memory jog’ tool and help you remember what the hell you've actually  been doing with your life. The interviewer will most likely have a copy of your CV to hand so equal the playing field and have one too. I find it very easy to forget what I want to say during a telephone call so having my CV handy helps.

6. Suit up and look smart

Ok so I know that they can’t see you but wearing formal attire rather than slobbing around in your pyjamas will make you feel more professional and as a result sound more professional too. Smiling can apparently be heard- who knew? so show us your pearly whites. 

7. Focus 

Try to stay focussed on the conversation and be in the zone. As they say in High School Musical - Get your head in the game.

I would recommend going to another room by yourself where it is quiet and there are no distractions. Listen to what the other person is saying and try not to interrupt. 

8. Be confident  

Lol x 56943282

So this is another area where I would say I’m not so great. 

I like to wear a lucky charm or have positive messages around me to give me a confidence boost. Try and have the right attitude towards the job interview and think that you can do this rather than thinking about all the things that could go wrong - yeah totally guilty of that.

9. Don’t overthink. 

The advantage of a telephone interview for people with social anxiety is that because we’re not in the same room as the person we can’t read too much into their body language and over analyse every nuance. However that doesn’t stop me and I’m sure it doesn’t stop you either . Try not to think too much about every pause in conversation or read between the lines. Stay present and in the room.

You got this and I’m sure you’ll be just fine.