When they put you to answer phones but you don't have speaking skills?

Question

I'm not good at speaking , maybe i have some mental problem with language because i'm 27 and never could speak well. I try to say something but i can't pronounce it. So , often i say something and people dont understand me. So i started this office job and they told me today to answer the phoenes, i did, and i had trouble
....it was fine but my speaking style is kind of like kiddish because i'm not a talkative person. i'm quiet and generally i say short phrases. Well they were happy with my phoning but as i veiw it, i sucked.

how can i improve? i mean, i've used the phone alot but when it comes time to say something i get tongue tied or stuff. And it's not shyness.

oh by the way some of you say i wil get better. Well i 've done 10 years of answering the phone for my dad for his business.. and i've always sucked in those conversations and i still do

Answer 1

Like the man said, practice, practice, practice. It will come with time. You will become more comfortable. Don't worry, most of us have fears about new jobs or new aspects and responsibilities on the job. No one expects perfection on the first attempt, but it they say you did good, you probably did, be happy with that.

Answer 2

I think the best advice is practice makes perfect. No one ever does a job the right way or the best way the first time around. Your bosses probably know you were out of your comfort zone and impressed you didn't freeze up. As for the person on the other end, they were probably happy that you weren't chatty.

In the end, the longer you do something the better you get. Just give it time.

Answer 3

I used to be the same way when I was 16 at my first job answering phones, I didnt' want to. I would get nervous talking to people. Just give it some time and you'll develop a skill for talking on the phone and you won't think twice next time the phone rings.

Answer 4

I'm not a doctor but this sounds like a stammer. I do know that stammer and stuttering can be caused by nervous system disorders. The reason I know this is that I suffer from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and take SRI meds. These meds increase the level of a neurotransmitter called Serotonin and it has an effect on speech. I noticed that when I get tired, my speech slurs. I belong to a newsgroup for OCD and others have mentioned they too have developed a stutter or stammer on these meds. Others have reported their stutter or stammer disappeared on them.

All this means is that your stammer may ne neurological in origin. Speak to a doctor about it.

-- Liam

Answer 5

I am exactly the same way. I have to answer the phones where I work. I first I was really nervous about it. You WILL get better at it. AND you will get more comfortable.

Answer 6

aim for area codes in the south. everywhere else will be rude or be convinced you are being rude. i didn't do well with phone work.