[Rio_]

I just made five phone calls in the space of about 15 or 20 minutes. I've been trying to find summer work, and I had to call up these companies to ask where I should send my CV to (it was my dad's idea)...most of them were actually pretty helpful, which was a nice surprise! I was shaking so much I almost couldn't write down the first name, though - still haven't calmed down completely yet.

It frustrates me that I'm still anxious about making phone calls, but I guess this shows it's getting a bit easier - I managed to book a table at a restaurant yesterday, too. A year or so ago I never would have been able to do anything like this, so hopefully by writing this now I'll have "proof" that I can if I need to do it again.

[OrangeMoira]

Good job!

For someone with anxiety about phone calls, that seems like an intimidating type of call to make because you aren't sure who to speak to and must ask for help.

I am looking for a job, too. I have completed a few applications, and every time the phone rings my heart races because I think it's a prospective employer. I can get myself to answer about half the time. It can be tough!

Keep up the good work. It's good that you are focusing on the positive and on your progress when you feel frustrated.

[Perna]

Rio, I'm still anxious about making phone calls and I'm 57. When I work at a new job where there are phones, takes me several months of working them before I'm okay.

My stepmother said when I was 20 and had to call a store and ask a question, "You sould so sweet on the phone," a rather left-handed compliment and I may have actually asked her, "And I'm not sweet otherwise?" or just given her a look because she kind of backed off. But I sounded "sweet" because I was scared to death.

I've learned in all the inbetween years that if you've got to do it, you've got to do it and you just do, getting fatalistic about it and just getting through it. Eventually you feel better and go on to the next scary challenge :-)

Good luck on getting a call-back from sending out your CV. Send to civil engineering and surveying companies and tell them you want to be a "rodman". They teach you how to do that and with your schooling they'll be willing to (it's a no-brainer but pays okay, 4-5 pounds an hour). But it's outside all day, just wandering around fields and stuff :-)

[RozG]

Well done Rio ! ! !

i still get my social worker to do my calls so YAY to you for managing so many...

[Rio_]

Thanks, OrangeMoira! It was pretty scary...I don't think I'd have done it if I'd let myself think about it too much.

Good luck with your job search!

[Rio_]

Thanks, Perna. Sorry you have trouble with phones as well.

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
I've learned in all the inbetween years that if you've got to do it, you've got to do it and you just do, getting fatalistic about it and just getting through it. Eventually you feel better and go on to the next scary challenge :-)

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post"> That's very true!

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>

Good luck on getting a call-back from sending out your CV. Send to civil engineering and surveying companies and tell them you want to be a "rodman". They teach you how to do that and with your schooling they'll be willing to (it's a no-brainer but pays okay, 4-5 pounds an hour). But it's outside all day, just wandering around fields and stuff :-)

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post"> Thanks. I'm actually looking for work as a draughtsperson (I've been teaching myself how to use SolidWorks)...and I've already heard back from a packaging company, who said they may have something for me. The person who emailed said he has to check with the rest of the department first, though.

[Rio_]

Thanks, Kalamity_Jane! I said almost exactly the same thing to each person I called...hopefully none of them know each other...