Tips to make job hunting less intense?

I've recently started looking for part-time employment, as previous full-time work (in a warehouse 60hrs/wk)was mentally and emotionally taxing, and my reboot time is unfortunately long. The thing is, most places don't do all their hiring online like this place did, and I haven't answered the phone for anyone, even my own mother, in 2 years. Let alone gone to any interviews in that time. How can I help prep myself for these inevitable situations a bit better? I'm using the motivation of being able to get a councellor with my paychecks, but it's only helping so much.

Thanks in advance

Hi Spaceheathen, I remember when I started working after university in 2000 I had absolutely zero confidence. I used to get ridiculed for a minor speech impediment throughout my school days and I became so self conscious of speaking out loud in groups, answering the phone when people could hear me.
I was panic stricken starting my first job, in fact when I was offered the job, had my parents not been in the room when I took the phone call I would have turned it down as my fear and anxiety was so high. But thank god I did take the job.

I am confident on the phone nowadays, although I still feel some anxiety if my phone rings and the whole office is silent and people can hear me. But I am excellent on the phone now, it has come with experience.

My advice to you is that if you are as fearful as what I once was, start practicing right away, practice builds confidence subconsciously. Do whatever practice you can to start trying to build some confidence and remove the fear. I started off by phoning for takeaways, ringing train line for ticket information, phoning for a car insurance quote, etc. And the next bit of advice people won't like me for but at first when I was so anxious I would have a beer or glass of wine first to give me some courage and make me a little less anxious, it worked for me so well.

The silly thing is with phone anxiety for example is that it is so totally meaningless. What anyone thinks matters nothing, it's only talking out loud and everyone sounds different, there is no danger or anything to fear - however I do appreciate that it is our subconscious when fear and anxiety comes from, which we have no control over.

But I can assure you, practice, practice, practice is what it takes to build confidence and remove anxiety. After hundreds and thousands of phone calls your mind/brain sees that there is nothing to fear. In fact nowadays because I am so good on the phone and communicating with people, I know people will only think positive things of me for my nature and how I talk to people. See the positives and once you conquer this fear it opens up so many more career opportunities.