I need a job...

Post Reply New Topic

...but how do I go about getting one?

I've finished college (not school, I finished that at 16) and I'm really bored. As of now I have literally nothing to do for the rest of my life, and I'm absolutely sick of living in this house because I'm being nagged by my parents. So yes, the common cliche reason of wanting to leave.

They want me to go back to college, but I just can't do that any more, having been put off by the environment, bullying and sexual abuse I have suffered there, prompting me to become insanely depressed and cut myself.

Yes, they know all about this and it's all been over for a long time, but still they want me to go to college. I'm not even sure about going to a different one. Plus, I don't have enough qualifications to do any courses higher than the ones I have already done.

I would absolutely love to actually earn my own money, which I have never, ever done before. The world complains about how little they earn at work but I would be happy just to earn a little bit. So to people here with jobs / had them, how did you go about getting your first jobs? Were you helped by anybody or were you insanely brave, phoned up yourself / just marched into somewhere asking for work, Homer Simpson style?

Is there a nearby industrial park that you can get to on a daily basis? If so, I'd knock on some doors and ask if they have any work for a recent college graduate. Lots of NTs won't go near such places, so they are likely to have unadvertised openings that are great for folks like us who can work alone, largely unsupervised.

Yes, actually you're right and Homer Simpson style works perfectly well.

I agree with leejosepho above, print out a bright-colored flyer and begin dropping them off in person anywhere and everywhere, in industrial parks. After several dozen, you will feel more relaxed because of its repetitive nature and won't have to be (or act) so brave anymore. You only need the bravery to get started on it.

Make sure you get the permission of the property owner of the industrial parks before distributing those flyers.

Otherwise, just leave copies of your resume with the receptionists.

There are several charitable organisations in the UK that help people with "disabilities" (including autism/ Asperger's syndrome) find and keep employment. I have heard that the National Autistic Society runs some programmes to help people on the spectrum find employment, but those programmes do not cover the whole country (and I have never dealt with NAS). There is also the employment services agency "Remploy" < http://www.remploy.co.uk/ >, which has branches in many of the major cities. (I have never dealt with them, but I know that several of my co-workers originally obtained their jobs via Remploy.)

In theory, your local JobCentre should be able to provide you with a list of such organisations. Unfortunately, in all likelihood JC employees are poorly trained, poorly paid, and hence bitter and disgruntled people. As such, I would not expect much help from them.

Best of luck with whatever you do.

If you have any interest in computers you might try Autism Works UK.

Or if that is not your thing then possibly look for a tradesman (electrician, plumber, etc.) and see about serving an apprenticeship. I am not sure how that works in the UK but they might be able to help.

Check your wardrobe and make sure you have appropriate clothing for an initial approach to prospective employers, and work appropriate clothes if you get the job..
Check transportation options to ensure you can get there and back on time, and to know the geographical options and limitations you can scour.
If you don't want to do 'just anything' but only have entry level skills, consider voluntary work in an area of employment that might be it's own entrance.

Door knock, follow up a little later, respond to any responses you receive in the mail with a return thankyou card or some such.

Steer your career course towards a defined long term goal or else you'll be grading vegetables on a conveyor belt when you retire (which is fine if that's what you want to do).

well I got my first pay job at 17 (I am still 17 lol), I was cleaning tables and dishwashing at an espresso bar. That job was horrible though. My bosses were pretty pleased from my work but it was too tedious 9 hours a day, pressure all the time, angry customers and stupid co-workers. So I quite that after just 2 weeks.

Now I started working as a zookeeper at the local zoo. Well to be precise I don't get any money for it but from september I will be getting some pocket money (less than minimum wage) each month for doing that job. I think that's a VERY good job for an aspie because it invovles working alone, no f*****g co-workers, the only few you have are really really nice (ppl who work with animals are) and beside you rarely interact with them. Also it invovles animals, and most aspies like animals, so do I. The downside is that it is a very physical activity, working in the sun. So it's not good for everyone.

Before I had those jobs I was strictly volunteering at like 3 places, started in 10th grade. What you need is to build up a good resume. It's not easy to get a job. If you worked before it would be really easy for you to get one. Go directly to the workplace (could be a restaurant, a shop, w/e), talk to the guy incharge and give him the resume. Hopefully you'll get an interview. That's the best way to get a job. Internet- blah.