What Do You Do For Work?

[Robby]

Just wondering what kind of work do some of you do for those of you who are working? And how did you get your jobs? For me the hardest and most frustrating part is the looking..Once I actually get an interview a lot of times I'm pretty good at that part but it's the bullshitting your way through all the muck and applications that's just so frustrating. I've tried staffing agencies in the past but some of them are iffy & I kind of don't trust them because they pretty much hire anyone like ex cons and pretty shady people and being openly gay and autistic, I have even more people out there to make fun of me as it is. The last thing I want is to work in a hostile work environment. I'm also severely photophobic & visually impaired so I have to wear dark glasses and have to constantly explain myself to people there too which sucks. I really want a job where I can be creative and low-pressure, like working in a flower shop but I also have good computer skills and very organized so office jobs would be good where I wouldn't feel high pressured. I am good at one or two tasks but much more than that and I get overwhelmed.

So what do I do? I was supposed to meet with the vocational rehab services in my town but that got cancelled due to snow. The applications all say must have experience in this or that or must be good at this or that but I have a lot of skills to offer but how am I supposed to get experience if nobody gives me a chance? I'm 33 and have never held a real steady job. Not once.

I live and home and really want to find a job but not just any, because some I'd probably just get fired from. I want to find one that matches my skills and abilities but that won't set me up to fail. How can I go about doing this? Will vocational rehab help match me with one?

I really need help. Seeing yet another therapist next week maybe she can offer some advice. But I get tired and ashamed of having to constantly answer why I'm not working.

 

[Hope88]

Well I work in a clothes shop and have worked my way up to key holding the shop.
It was really difficult at first as I was waiting for my diagnosis and was being prescribed so many anti depressants that I felt completely out of control and made a few mistakes with paper work. It was only when the manager left that I had to take on more responsibility and found I could do it.
My memory for stock and where it is has been the main reason I was kept on. Just shows how I had to get through the tough times to get what I have now.
My company do not know of my diagnosis as I was told I had Aspergers years after I got the job, but the girls in my shop do and they are really good with me and tend to jump in when the social side of selling comes into it.
If I were you I would look into some of the specialist sites online as some companies are seeking out Aspies for jobs. Either that or volunteering as that counts.
Also ask your therapist, I live in the UK so there are laws against discrimination and I am protected a little by that but I would think there has to be something like a law or support group to help you.
Stay positive, something will come up

 

[Robby]

Someone had the nerve to make an underhanded remark to me about not liking people who are on welfare. Well people shouldn't judge others unless they walk in their shoes nobody knows someone else's circumstances. I am not on welfare I live with family until I can hopefully find a job. But still. I'm pretty sick of people judging me when they don't know my circumstances. I'm trying like hell to find a job but I'm not going to waste my time on jobs I know I'd probably hate or not be good at like customet service or retail given the huge amount of people interaction in those jobs. I really want to find something but nothing's working out and I really feel I need help and direction but am not getting it. I'm willing to work, I just can't seem to find something that fits me. People should educate themselves about photophobia and autism and understand what it's like to be that and openly gay and try to find a job in this world in this day and age. It's hard. And I realize who my friends are too people will be nice to you one day but make an underhanded comment the next and they're just fake.

 

[Robby]

I can't do volunteer work. They don't pay anything and I need money plus I'm 33 & don't have time for volunteer stuff nothing against that but I need something that pays but don't know where to look. These jobs all say they don't discriminate against people for sexual orientation or disability but yet I can't seem to get hired. I'll see if I can find anything for aspies people. I do have a really good memory for stuff storing pieces of information and stuff like that. And I'm highly organized and neat.

 

[KinksFan]

I'm a greeter at the TD Bank across from the big mall where I live. I enjoy it.

 

[The Penguin]

I'm a software developer. I graduated from college in 2004 but didn't find work in my trade until 2007. Before that year I was doing general labour work so I can pay my bills. The work I did in 2007 as software developer was for my business. In 2008 my business was not doing well. I had to give up my independence and live with family. I end up doing general labour work again. 2011 I got my first full time job as a software developer. Near the end of 2013 I got let go. I had trouble finding work. I got accepted in a program with the government to start my own business as a software developer. Since this is my 2nd try at a business, I'm making sure I learn from my old mistakes. Also, this time more people offering support. I'm making sure things will work for me this time.

 

[abby normal]

I picked cukes in the Puyallup valley. I was a professional picketer for a while. was a client of goodwill where I learned how to cashier. was lousy at it so I ended up becoming a gofer/flunky at a heating/AC place, 'til I got laid off during the Reagan recession, then was homeless for a bit, then joined the army and worked in an army hospital as an orderly/surgical tech. then got out and got a civil service job as an ORT at an army hospital in the maternity ward which I did [along with being an orderly/billing coder/ward clerk for 2 decades, then RIF'd again due to medical ailments, now am living in genteel poverty out in the woods.

 

[Robby]

I just can't do anything that requires a lot of human interaction, just can't do it.

 

[The Penguin]

These jobs all say they don't discriminate against people for sexual orientation or disability but yet I can't seem to get hired.

Well a company don't need to know your sexual orientation. As for a disability, if there no way for them to know if you have one when they first meet you, no need to disclose. The only time is worth to disclose if your working with a company that known to give accommodations or accepting of people having a disability.

 

[The Penguin]

If this available in your area, I suggest finding non profit or government agency that helps people find employment, providers employment training and coaching. I don't know what country your in, but in Canada, you can find this service in all major cities. To see if such services exist for your country, contact your government and inquire about this service. One important note, should you use these type of service, you must be willing to improve some of your weakness otherwise, it will be very hard for you to find a job. Example, for me, I was not good in interview skills. I went to one of these employment centers and they gave me training for me to improve.

 

[Robby]

I just feel like everyone's always judging me when they look at me. I was horribly bullied in school because I was gay & still don't trust anyone. I'm scared when I do find a job that people will be hostile to me because I'm a bit feminine. I've even been badly bullied by other gay guys because they said I wasn't "butch" enough. I just don't fit in with anyone.

 

[artfull dodger]

I work for a local lawn mower and outdoor power dealership as thier head technican. This is a blessing for me, allowing me to utilize my obsession with old lawn mowers and lawn/garden tractors to make money. While the hours are slim in the late fall and winter, spring time thru late summer is very busy unless we have a drought. I went thru many other jobs that didnt work out though. Mike

 

[armedlove]

i work for coca cola as a merchandiser. been there for 8 years. i get picked on because to others i seem "different" due to my interests and quirks. i dont let it fade me though

 

[SignOfLazarus]

I can't do volunteer work. They don't pay anything and I need money plus I'm 33 & don't have time for volunteer stuff nothing against that but I need something that pays but don't know where to look.

What are you using for references when you apply places right now? You have skills but what proof do you have that these skills are reliable for those that don't know you?
If you volunteer someplace, it gives you a chance to build up credibility with an organization and an employment history- it's still employment. No, you are not getting paid, but the experience is still of immense value. You are having trouble getting hired, and you are perceiving that it is because you are being discriminated against.

Giving all that you have experienced, I am not surprised that it feels like that and I have no way to know how big of a factor discrimination is in your job search.
But as a hiring manager, if I saw an application come across my desk from someone with no real experience- as you indicated- I would not be likely to consider them. If you are doing something, anything that is keeping you busy like volunteering, I believe you would be more likely to get a second look. You have a way to back up some skills you state you have.

You can still look while you are volunteering somewhere a couple days a week. Maybe you could at least look around at your options and then think it over to see if its something you might consider. You'd have specific opportunities to think about.

 

[Progster]

I'm self-employed and I'm a personal language tutor. I also take on the odd proof reading or translation. I find the constant talking interaction with students very tiring, but I manage.

 

[Flinty]

I administer college funds. In Canada, that's actually quite a complex job due to the four (soon to be six) government grants that are involved. I get to do almost all of the technical stuff. Also, no phones (for now)!

 

[Jimbo]

I highly recommend self employment. I haven't had a real job since 1997 when I was a service tech for Pepsi. I started my own chimney cleaning business, then added lawn care so I would have work in the summer, then switched over to carpet cleaning 11 years ago. I like routine work. I do have to deal with customers, but I have gotten pretty good at short amounts of small talk.

If you can't start your own business, figure out what you are good at and what you enjoy and go from there. No need in working in a job you are miserable at.

 

[TragicKingdom]

I am a software engineer but have not worked doing that in a few years. I am currently on Federal disability for Aspergers and am working on developing a start-up company at this time.

 

[Robby]

I'm looking at different temp agencies now & trying the vocational rehabilitation for people with disabilities in my town to see if they can offer some advice/assistance. I still don't feel I'm ready to do a full time job until I learn better ways to cope with people I don't know or bullying if it happened. But I'm taking steps.

 

[Datura]

I support people with disabilities in connecting with their communities and building natural support networks. It honestly isn't something I ever saw myself doing, but it is the way my life has lead me and I am starting to become quite passionate about my work.

Like some of the others here I have also struggled with unemployment and underemployment. I spend about three years without a steady job before attending a job search program. It really did help me to find a job, even if the first one I got wasn't that great. It was with an agency that provides services to seniors. My shifts were extremely sporadic, ranging from full time work for some periods to literally zero hours during a week. The situation was not great, but I stayed with them for two years, just to have something on my resume. Using that experience and a good reference I was able to get my current position.

I recommend you try some volunteer work while you look for work. This will show employers that you haven't been idle and provide you with some references. Also; job search programs are useful. It is kind of absurd, but applying for a job is a skill unto itself, and a good program can teach you the minutia of this social ritual.