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Shaking/Trembling during Phone Interview
 

J_monkey's picture
O
(Baboon, 165
 
Points)
 on 6/26/12 at 4:11pm
Phone_Interview_Etiquette.jpg

Today, I had a interview over the phone for a position at a small firm.
To my surprise my body started to shake/tremble while talking over the phone.
I wish my voice wasn't trembling as well...

I'm not socially awkward and this is the first time that this has happened.
Any tips on how to get rid of it?

Thanks

Tags:
Oreos's picture

Interview more, like anywhere

HF
(Neanderthal, 2,460
 
Points)
 on 6/26/12 at 4:23pm

Interview more, like anywhere who'll see you / speak to you

resipsa's picture

Beta blockers. Prevent body

(Baboon, 163
 
Points)
 on 6/26/12 at 4:33pm

Beta blockers. Prevent body from manifesting physical responses to anxiety. Musicians/actors use it a lot because it reduces the appearance of anxiety but doesn't fog up the mind, like anti-anxiety pills. Beta blockers are also really safe. Have been used for decades to lower blood pressure. I haven't tried but know people who swear by them. Talk to doctor.

melvvvar's picture

being a little bit buzzed

(King Kong, 1,693
 
Points)
 on 6/26/12 at 4:52pm

being a little bit buzzed helps

goodL1fe's picture

melvvvar: being a little bit

 
Points)
 on 6/26/12 at 5:06pm
melvvvar:

being a little bit buzzed helps

Indeed this is true and may work over the phone, but I rather be nervous than have my breath smell of alcoholic during a face-to-face interview.

Robert Clayton Dean: What is happening?
Brill: I blew up the building.
Robert Clayton Dean: Why?
Brill: Because you made a phone call.

J_monkey's picture

melvvvar: being a little bit

O
(Baboon, 165
 
Points)
 on 6/26/12 at 5:10pm
melvvvar:

being a little bit buzzed helps

not a option if face-to-face since my face turns red easily with alcohol

OMS's picture

it goes away after a few

PE
(King Kong, 1,886
 
Points)
 on 6/26/12 at 5:14pm

it goes away after a few phone calls. i'd just set up as many networking calls as you can. it will go away.

Bobb's picture

I stand up and walk around,

AM
 
Points)
 on 6/26/12 at 5:15pm

I stand up and walk around, keeps me calm

J_monkey:
melvvvar:

being a little bit buzzed helps

not a option if face-to-face since my face turns red easily with alcohol

must be asian

808's picture

Like other people have said,

CF
(Gorilla, 627
 
Points)
 on 6/26/12 at 5:38pm

Like other people have said, practice talking on the phone. Also, when I have a really important phone interview, I'll get dressed up for an interview. The interviewer might not be able to see you, but you can see yourself, and your tone of voice will reflect your mood (i.e. dress, physical position, etc.).

Good luck. I feel for you - I'd rather face someone in person than have a phone interview.

http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/group/big-4-accounting
http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/group/entrepreneur
http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/group/wso-pittsburgh

DonVon's picture

Phone interviews are the

IB
(King Kong, 1,914
 
Points)
 on 6/26/12 at 6:36pm

Phone interviews are the absolute worst. I feel like I always ace in-person interviews and ALWAYS fail phone interviews. The fact that most phone interviews are with recruiters/HR also doesn't help. When you're already in an impersonal setting (i.e. not face-to-face), it's harder to answer bullshit questions like "Tell me about a time when you had to deliver a difficult message".

In-person interviews trump phone interviews all day, every day.

"An intellectual is a man who takes more words than necessary to tell more than he knows."
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

Check out my blog!

prudentinvestor's picture

Holy frick. I'm sorry

(Orangutan, 317
 
Points)
 on 6/26/12 at 7:44pm

Holy frick. I'm sorry dude.

Maybe it was a preparation issue.

I think we all are inherently nervous before an interview but you will be more nervous if you are not prepared. Know the position, know the firm, know yourself (a.k.a. hyperboles on your resume).

Try to do something relaxing before your next scheduled interview. You will be calmer going into it.

Good luck, I hope you get the position!

Know what's it like, been there. Although never trembled.

bearing's picture

I suggest the Johnny Drama

ER
(Neanderthal, 2,082
 
Points)
 on 6/26/12 at 7:47pm

I suggest the Johnny Drama method of spanking one out 10 minutes before to calm the nerves and release those endorphins.

Srs

J_monkey's picture

Thanks for all the

O
(Baboon, 165
 
Points)
 on 6/26/12 at 7:50pm

Thanks for all the responses.
I guess I will keep practicing talking on the phone.

J_monkey's picture

Edit: double post

O
(Baboon, 165
 
Points)
 on 6/26/12 at 7:50pm

Edit: double post

J_monkey's picture

Bobb: I stand up and walk

O
(Baboon, 165
 
Points)
 on 6/26/12 at 7:51pm
Bobb:

I stand up and walk around, keeps me calm

J_monkey:
melvvvar:

being a little bit buzzed helps

not a option if face-to-face since my face turns red easily with alcohol

must be asian

quarter white lol

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