Gen Z’s Phone Anxiety Risks Careers at Amazon and Disney
Missed Calls, Missed Opportunities: How Phone Anxiety Is Holding Gen Z Back
In an age dominated by digital messaging and curated content, Gen Z’s aversion to phone calls is emerging as a surprising yet significant professional barrier. Despite being the most connected generation in history, millions of Gen Z jobseekers are ghosting potential employers—not out of disinterest, but out of anxiety. The consequences, as it turns out, are not just missed conversations, but missed careers.
At the heart of this issue is telephobia—a fear or discomfort with phone communication. According to data referenced in a recent report, 67% of under-34-year-olds avoid answering work-related calls altogether, even if those calls could lead to life-changing opportunities.
Executives from top firms such as Amazon, GHD, and Disney attribute key turning points in their careers to unexpected phone calls. Rohit Prasad, now head of Amazon’s AI division and reporting directly to CEO Andy Jassy, recalled how answering a random call in 2013 led him to help build Alexa—a move that defined his career trajectory.
Similar stories were shared by Jeroen Temmerman, CEO of GHD, who wasn’t even job hunting when opportunity rang, and Bob Iger, who returned to Disney after a pivotal conversation—one that might have gone unanswered by many in today’s younger workforce.
But for much of Gen Z, the phone has become a symbol of stress rather than opportunity. As Maxted Neal, a psychology and management professor at Hult International Business School, explains, phone calls are now psychologically associated with high-stakes situations—often reserved for serious news or emergencies. This mental framing, compounded by a communication style rooted in texting, video messages, and social media, has left many unprepared for the unscripted nature of live conversation.
The implications extend beyond anecdotal discomfort. Britain’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) has reportedly had to revise data collection methods due to Gen Z’s reluctance to answer calls. Universities are now running workshops to teach basic call etiquette—an ironic twist in an era of hyperconnectivity.
Yet solutions may lie within the generation’s preferred tools. Experts suggest that voice notes—already popular on platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram—can serve as a bridge. They offer a low-pressure environment to practice tone, clarity, and impromptu speech without the stress of real-time interaction. Neal explains that this helps Gen Z build “a safer scaffold” before making the leap to real-time calls, including those with hiring managers.
Career coach Kyle Elliott echoes this sentiment: “Start small. Practice calling friends and family. Get used to speaking without a script. Your future self will thank you.” This isn’t just advice for self-improvement—it’s a competitive necessity. In a world where AI handles routine tasks, being able to pick up the phone and connect like a human being may become a defining edge in employability.
Many hiring managers still rely on phone screens to evaluate not just professionalism, but responsiveness and confidence. Ignoring that call could mean missing out entirely. Elliott warns that employers continue to favor candidates who can communicate clearly and comfortably in unscripted formats—something text can’t replace.
For jobseekers aiming to stay visible and viable in this employer-driven market, it may be time to reconsider how they answer opportunity—literally.
How do you train your team—or yourself—to overcome digital communication gaps and build real-world confidence?
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