Is it bad to tell a prospective employer on an interview that I'm afraid of people yelling at me?

Because I'm a really sensitive person. I haven't applied to a call center because I have a hard time not taking things personal that people say. I worked at WalMart as a cashier and other places and I was constantly yelled at for things I had no control over and it wore me down a lot mentally. I like and enjoy helping people but I don't want to be **********e*d at. It's my biggest fear. Because I don't know how to handle it. I was so afraid everyday that someone was going to yell at me that I was a nervous wreck just waiting for it to happen. I don't want to live like that but it's not who I am. I don't know how to deal with it so I'm trying to find a job filing or sorting without so much the phone aspect. Is this wrong of me to mention...if at all possible I would not want to deal with people over the phone.





The position I applied for was a "floater" position at Wells Fargo. Should I mention that I like to file and sort and organize and things of that nature but I fear phones?

Is it bad to tell a prospective employer on an interview that I'm afraid of people yelling at me?
I wouldn't mention it, regardless of how strongly you feel about it. You need to look for jobs where yelling is unlikely to happen. I am sure that working at Wal-Mart or in a Call Center is more than most people could take, but you don't want to burn bridges. No one's choices are that wide open.





The closest I would come to saying anything like that is that you prefer to not be in a "Customer Service" role. If a potential employer asks you why, just say that you think your strengths lie in other areas (which is true). That gives you an opportunity to focus back on what you like and do well. If the interviewer presses the point of what you don't like and what you don't do well, just say,"I've had plenty of experience in a customer service capacity, which has naturally included some unpleasant experiences. I feel that I have gained all the positive things I can gain from working in a front-line role, and I am eager to develop new competencies."





Stay as far away from admitting anything that sounds like fear or complaining in an interview as possible. Of course we all have fears, we all have complaints, but the harsh truth is that interviews are not the place for honest discussions about them.





Good luck.
Reply:You need to find a position that your exposure to rude people is limited. Having said that.... no good boss would allow his employees to be yelled at and expect them to take abuse. Don't mention it in your interview because it will say more to your prospective employer than you just don't like being yelled at. They will think that you are not able to negotiate and carry on a potentially difficult conversation on an adult level. Since you enjoy filing, why don't you apply for a filing job? You should also take a class in conflict resolution.
Reply:I wouldn't tell them because it can probably hinder you from getting any job. With any job you get you will probably be yelled at. There is just a lot of bitter people in the world who are looking for someone to yell at because they don't know how to handle their own problems.





All I can say is either seek professional help or toughen up. When people would yell at me at my job I would speak to them calmly and sometimes I would be passive aggressive with them (lol) and when they left I would laugh at them. But remember there are people who are the nicest human beings in the world and you will never forget them.
Reply:Aw, I'm so sorry that a bad experience left you with a fear of being yelled at. I've been in jobs like that before and I know it can be scarring. I had a witch of a boss at my first job, and it made me paranoid at my jobs following that. Fortunately I had some good jobs after that, and my fear wore off with time. Don't let a single experience ruin your career.





I would not say anything like what you're saying. Maybe ask them about the kind of environment it is that you'll be working in, and feel it out. But they say never to say anything bad about your previous employer during an interview, because it can be a red flag to a future employer. And I would definitely NOT say that you fear phones. Mention the stuff you enjoy doing, but don't exclude anything.





And, just have faith that you ARE a strong person. Otherwise, you could not have put up with as much abuse as you did at your other job, right? Most people probably would have gone home crying and quit on the very first day. You did not. You stuck it out and gave it a solid chance. That takes resilience! Just because it wore you down over time does not mean you are totally weak. It could have worn the toughest person down, over time. Don't blame yourself!





Something that helped me get through dealing with tough people, was remembering that personalities are generated from people's brains. People's brains are usually about as big as their fist. People only use 10% of their brain. So, the size of what is actually yelling at you is literally about the size of a gumball. Would you be afraid of a screaming gumball? Probably not. Just remember that the next time someone is nasty to you.





Also, as you get older you will gain more self esteem and more confidence. It is hard work, but you will get there, and then the nasty people won't bother you as much.
Reply:I wouldn't go into it during an interview and once you get a job you should use your health insurance to get some help with your problem.





I'm not trying to be nasty - its just that if this fear is taking such a toll on you that you are leaving jobs and not taking others for the simple reason that someone might yell at you - then you need to get some help to stop this fear from controlling so much of your life.





Good luck!
Reply:Absolutely do not say that....they will think you are not able to handle any kind of stress and all jobs have some stress. You need to learn to cope with people yelling without getting upset otherwise you will not be able to hold down any job.
Reply:I wouldn't tell them you 'fear' phones, but tell them your strengths are filing and organizing etc.
Reply:I agree with all of the posters above, you shouldn't say that you're AFRAID of people being mean to you.... I guess you should speak about what you CAN do instead of what you can't or aren't willing to do. Of course, don't apply for the jobs that you think you can't handle.... apply to be an admin. assistant, or so... something that doesn't really require you to be in permanent/frequent contact with the public. As they already advice you, find out what your duties would be and specify that you have great abilities for filing, paperwork, capturing/typing, whatever doesn't require you to talk over the phone... and that this is the kind of job that pleases you the most and that's what you're trying to find. There's nothing wrong with saying what your expectations are, as they already mentioned, you have all the right to turn down an offer that just doesn't make it for you..... a company wanting you as an employee isn't necessarily a company that YOU would like as an employer. SAY NO firmly if you don't like the job, and take the interview as a chance to tell them what YOU want.... if it matches what THEY want, GREAT! If not, you can always keep looking! Good luck.
Reply:I would be hesitant to mention this fear in a job interview because it may cost you the job. Rather than telling the interviewer about it, use the interview to ask questions about the job, like "How much time is spent dealing with customers or members of the public?", and "What are the specific duties?" When you apply for a job, you do not have to take it. I have turned down job offers after interviews because I felt the jobs were not right for me. Most employers respect this, and think highly of someone who would do this (as long as it is done tactfully, stressing that it is a good job, but not one I would be happy in).