Job Hunting

[Robby]

Hey everyone thought I'd post an update. I'm doing pretty good, been busy applying for and looking for jobs lately. My Vocational Rehab office referred me to an employment agency that helps people who have little to no work history find a job, but I'm very disappointed with them so far. My case worker is very nice but she's obviously very over worked and so can't devote much time to my case, which is kind of dumb given what they're supposed to be doing. She told me that she thinks of the 39 other people she's helping, that I am the most capable and qualified of all of them. But it's clearly a government agency, because they are totally dragging their feet and ineffectual so far. So I'm not relying on them, I'm applying for jobs on my own, and hoping for some interviews soon.

My autism is fairly mild, basically I have issues with auditory processing and needing clear concise instructions for tasks (preferably written down), and also some minor social anxiety & sensitivities to noise & strange people. I've always struggled finding a job that I feel I can handle, and stick with, and not feel completely overwhelmed, while also making a living.

I've never held down a real, full time job before so it will be new. I do have a degree in criminal justice, so I've been applying for security jobs. I'm a fit guy, but not hulk hogan by any means, or muscular, but I can still do security work.

In my area there's also a huge Toyota plant, and I have already applied there and successfully completed the first step in the process. The money would be really good, but it would definitely wear me out because it's full time. And a downside is that Toyota has no union, and you're not guaranteed to be hired on permanently. Going to keep that option open though, and keep pursuing it. I've also applied to the local university for some entry level office jobs, but theres not much permanency in those, and I have no time or patience for ******** or office politics or being someone's doormat. As long as it's something I can handle with decent pay and steady work and benefits and not minimum wage, I'm not that picky.

So right now I'm leaning towards the security work or toyota and there's also a couple other factory jobs in the area that are fairly light and decent pay. I'm still going to meet with my case worker but I've already made it clear to her that I am not settling for menial minimum wage jobs, you can't live on those.

Meeting with her again this week, and if she has no new leads for me, I'm going with security or toyota.

 

[Robby]

I need some suggestions I've been unemployed for most of my adult life due to undiagnosed mild autism which can cause me immense anxiety with new unknown situations/people although I don't have a severe case, it's been enough to freak me out about going to new jobs. I've been referred to a case worker at a place for people who don't have much work experience or disabilities, and so far it's been a total waste of time. I've been going there since November and the woman still hasn't come up with an actual interview or job lead for me. She says she wants it to be the right fit for me which is fine but damn, it seems like a waste of time.

As far as my unique situation, I have mild autism but I am actually extremely verbal and gifted in communications and can make small talk pretty well. My anxiety is much better than it used to be. I have a learning disability in math. I also have major problems with auditory processing, if I get too much coming at me at once, I either forget it all or just get overwhelmed. But if I feel I can manage things, I am great. I have a degree in criminal justice. As far as my job search, I've considered security, Toyota, which now I'm kind of thinking I won't do, because I'm afraid it would be too fast paced. I'm also considering trying a couple of local staffing agencies again, maybe for a light assembly position or even office type job. I just don't have much if any work experience. I'm actually a decent interviewer and present quite well when I do get an interview, it's just finding something I feel I can even handle that's the issue. It just seems like all the jobs are customer service which I can't stand. Or like heavy heavy labor which I also hate. I just need something 9 to 5 in a low key office answering phones or something or even in a switchboard situation. I am great over the phone.

So now I'm just unsure what kind of job I would be good at, I know I don't want anything customer-service unless it's over the phone because dealing with people face to face makes me completely feel frazzled.

I'm meeting with my case worker again this week and if she has no tangible leads for me or interviews set up, I'm just going to forget about her and keep trying on my own.

I need something full time that I can earn a living on, but something that I know I can handle. It's just overwhelming and I'm just unsure at this point what to even do. Also if I go to a staffing agency on my own, do I tell them I have mild autism which is why I don't have much work experience, but also stress how it can be a benefit?

 

[Marmot]

Robby

You’ve said a lot there: A bunch of statements & declarations about yourself and a bunch of questions and unknowns too. I don’t have all the answers so let me throw in what I can and hopefully some others can fill in what I missed.

The good thing about the statements & declarations you’ve made is that it means you know yourself. It means that you know your strengths as well as your weaknesses and both need to be applied to your overall strategy.

Personally: I work in the engineering field, and I’ve found my present niche as the test engineer who stays late / comes in on the weekends / works strange hours and does whatever it takes to get the job done because “He’s so dedicated to his job” -or so they think…… The real reason I stay late & come in on the weekends is because no one is around to freak me out & it’s the only time I can get productive work done. But in the end, because of this, I get to keep my job / they get their data and it’s a healthy relationship.

While we appear to be opposites in our skill sets, you need to strive for the same general thing that I’ve done with my strengths / weaknesses, and that is: Play on your strengths and admit your weaknesses without playing the “Woe is Me” card. -Others may disagree with me on this, but while I will admit my struggles & shortcomings, I would NEVER, EVER admit autism in an interview, ever !

You have (known only to us here) the Aspie Advantage which means that you kick ass at some things (and you seem to know what these are), while you struggle (and you seem to know what these are) with others, so what you need to do is concentrate on selling yourself on the things you excel at.

Things you kick ass at:
-Extremely verbal and gifted in communications
-Office answering phones / switchboard situation.
-Great over the phone / Customer service over the phone = Good

And here’s what you would admit weakness (but not autism) on:
-Face-to-face interaction / Customer service in person = Bad
-Math
-Muti tasking

I don’t have all the answers and I hope this isn’t meaningless regurgitation of the obvious, but it sounds to me like your niche is going to be talking to people on the phone....

 

[Beverly]

Robby You don't mention where you live or if you have security guard training. I'm going to assume you do, if not I would suggest that and, firearms training to get a concealed carry permit. That would allow you to be an armed security guard. With the certifications, you could easily get a job as night security in any number of upscale corporations or, work as a personal bodyguard. neither position involves dealing with a lot of people very often and, with night security, you often patrol alone so, no one to deal with unless there is a problem.

With good verbal skills, if you can read an memorize a script, telemarketing is an option. If you cane become a character while speaking the script, voice acting is possible, or radio or television announcer, voicing commercials that use an unseen spokesperson, lots of jobs like that.

Unless you have an official diagnosis, it's better not to tell them you are on the spectrum. If you do then, yes, telling a staffing agency would be a good idea. Otherwise just say you lived with family and didn't need to work for a lot of those years of no job - might not be quite true but, it goes over easier than a long self diagnosed ASD explanation.

 

[paloftoon]

Look up Specialisterne. They might be able to help you determine if you should reveal or not. I would tend to assume "no" if you are not 100% sure. If a potential job is through them, then it's more okay to reveal your diagnosis I'd say.

 

[paloftoon]

May I ask which state (and if comfortable, general area) you're in and if you're in the US?
This could make a difference in being to help you find resources more specific to you too.

 

[Robby]

I'm in central KY. Currently considering moving to Louisville and maybe getting an apartment there because there are just way more job opportunities there plus as an openly gay man it's a more accepting place than a less populated area. Plan is to apply for a bunch of jobs there and if I get one I'll get a room there and then it's only like a 45 minute drive so I could still come home on weekends to see my family. If I get something local, that's great, but Louisville has way more opportunities for me plus I'm a city boy anyway. Hopefully by the end of the year I will have moved there.

 

[Andrew206]

Good luck Robby. Hope everything works out for you.

 

[Robby]

I've posted about my job search before. I might have a lead now. Awhile back I went to a foot doctor for a procedure, and apparently made such a good impression on the doc and the small staff there that the doc asked if I would be interested in the receptionist position. At the time I couldn't, but he had to let his new guy go so he's now interested again. He said he needs someone to answer phones, set appointments, enter in information, update insurance, etc. He called me about it and said I could come in and see how things work and if I think I can handle it, do a 90 day period and see how it goes. I am going to give it a try. Would only be part time but he said he feels that I would be great for it. It does feel good to have people think that I would be so good at something. I still am having a bit of lack of confidence because I've never really had a real job and I don't want to mess this up and I want to do a good job but the doctor is such a sweet guy and he has this small practice which is nice and intimate. Anyway,wish me luck!

 

[Levi2008]

good luck

 

[ancusmitis]

Good luck! I hope it works out