Telephone anxiety at work: How nervousness blocks career opportunities and what helps against it

In a world where communication is omnipresent, it seems paradoxical that making phone calls is a real challenge for more and more people. Why does a simple phone call suddenly trigger so much nervousness? The idea of making a fool of yourself in a conversation sets the pulse racing - especially when a job call or interview is imminent. But this fear doesn't just affect a small minority. It is growing and is now also having an impact on career opportunities and the self-confidence of many people.

A growing problem

According to a study by Fink and Cassady (2021), nervousness in job interviews and other professional communications such as telephone calls is strongly influenced by social anxiety. These fears not only affect the personal environment, but also professional situations such as job interviews or telephone conversations. An international comparative study by Zhang and Liu (2023) clearly shows that people with social anxiety also have a particularly high fear of telephone conversations, which makes their professional communication considerably more difficult.

For many, the interview is the decisive moment in the application process that determines the next step in their career. However, while some applicants are able to prepare for the call or interview, for others the nervousness already increases when the phone rings.

"The pressure to present yourself well and not make any mistakes is enormous," explains Jessica Wahl, a communications coach with decades of experience. "The fear of making a mistake often blocks the ability to speak authentically and confidently. Even on the first call, this insecurity can be an obstacle that continues throughout the entire application process."

The impact on everyday working life

The fear of job interviews doesn't just affect applicants. HR managers also feel the consequences. Markus Becker, Head of HR at a medium-sized company, reports: "Many very well-qualified candidates are inhibited by their nervousness in the interview. Although they have the right skills and experience, their insecurity often prevents their strengths from coming to the fore. It's difficult to get a clear impression of an applicant's skills if they are overwhelmed by their nervousness."

But it's not just career starters who are affected. Experienced professionals also have their challenges. Laura Kantes, 38, describes her experiences with job interviews: "I often feel like I have to pretend to be something else in order to hide my nervousness. I just want to show my skills and experience authentically." Your biggest worry? "I constantly ask myself whether I'm presenting enough of my strengths or whether I'm talking too much about my weaknesses. This insecurity leads to me doubting myself in every interview and not being able to show the best side of myself."

How to overcome your nervousness: practical tips

The good news is that these fears and insecurities can be overcome. The key lies in regular preparation and practice. Jessica Wahl recommends realizing that no one expects perfection. Many people believe they have to be flawless in order to communicate successfully. But it's not about being perfect, it's about being authentic. Perfectionism increases anxiety and blocks conversations.

Practical tips for overcoming nervousness:

Practice regularly: practise with friends or in role plays. Start with less stressful conversations and gradually increase your confidence. When it comes to a job interview, practise the most common questions in particular, such as "Tell me about yourself" or "Why would you like to work for our company?"

Accept mistakes: Nobody expects perfection. Mistakes are human and make you more likeable. A slip of the tongue can often even be seen as a sign of authenticity. Instead of fixating on what could go wrong, focus on your strengths. An example: Anna, 32, realized during a job interview that she had made a small mistake. Instead of focusing on it, she decided to take the moment with humor and move on. This relaxed attitude was received positively by the interviewer.

Use breathing techniques: Calm breathing can help regulate nervousness. Breathing exercises can calm the body and clear the mind. For example, the "4-7-8" technique - inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds, exhale for 8 seconds - helps you to relax.

Focus on the conversation: Concentrate on the content of the conversation, not on your own nervousness. What do you want to say? What questions do you want to ask? This technique helps to divert your attention away from your own fears.

Adapt your technique to the situation: A spontaneous conversation with a colleague requires a different approach than a formal job interview. For a job interview, for example, you could incorporate a clear structure into your answers, whereas in a casual telephone conversation, you are more likely to rely on spontaneity.

Step by step to better communication

The key is to practise continuously and motivate yourself in the process. Markus Becker recommends: "Practice makes perfect. If you practise regularly in simulated conversations, you lose your shyness and become increasingly confident in real conversations." Breathing techniques and positive self-talk can also help to reduce nervousness and convey a clearer, more confident image.

"It's important to focus on what you're good at and not just on what you avoid or don't know," says career and application coach Jessica Wahl. "The more you focus on your own strengths, the less nervousness becomes a problem."

Conclusion: the courage to be authentic

The fear of phone calls and job interviews is widespread, but if you practise regularly, reflect on your strengths and accept mistakes as a natural part of the conversation, you will find that these conversations are less scary than they first appear. You can approach the next phone call or job interview with the knowledge that no one expects perfection. It's all about staying authentic and making the best of the situation.

Hagen PR
Info@JessicaWahl.de

The Institute for Personal Performance Coaching has been supporting specialists, managers and personalities in challenging professional contexts for 20 years.

Jessica Wahl, Senior Performance Coach, breathing, voice and speech therapist, and J?rg Tewes, qualified actor and Senior Performance Coach, are internationally recognized as leading experts in performance and career coaching.

The coaching takes place in a unique setting in the heart of Berlin-Kreuzberg: The institute is located in a beautiful church that offers an atmosphere of calm, concentration and clarity - a deliberate counterpoint to the pulsating dynamics of the big city.

The focus of the coaching approach is on attitude, presence and sustainable performance - all under real conditions and with a clear goal: to strengthen people not only professionally but also personally. Particular emphasis is placed on the development of soft skills, emotional intelligence and the ability to present oneself authentically. In this way, clients are optimally prepared for the complex demands of the modern working world, which require both technical knowledge and strong interpersonal skills. https://www.jessicawahl.de

This release was published on openPR.