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Sweetleaf
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29 Dec 2013, 6:20 pm

So it came to my attention SSI might not work out in my favor......so uhhh how the hell do I get a job? should I lie about skills I think I might have, only apply at places that might higher socially akward individuals or what? Uhhh I just can't figure out how to even get through the interveiw without coming off as anxious and weird which seems to translate to un-hirable. So yeah any ideas of jobs where they don't care about akwardness or weirdness? I was thinking head shops but good luck finding one that is actually hiring.


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cathylynn
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29 Dec 2013, 6:57 pm

shelf-stocker or janitor don't require tons of social skills. I hope the SSI comes through.



Stargazer43
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29 Dec 2013, 10:50 pm

Do you have any skills, education, or experience that could differentiate you in the hiring process?

If not, I'd recommend trying to gain some of the above in a field of interest. Just a random example, but if you wanted to do something computer-related many software companies offer professional certifications for their software...that kind of thing can give you a leg up against the competition. You could even work on something like this while working at a less desirable job, and then look for a better job once you have better credentials.

I mention this because if you don't have something to make yourself stand out, then the entire application basically hinges on your interviewing and interpersonal skills. But keep in mind that being anxious is perfectly normal in interviews, even the social butterflies get nervous in them. Interviews are usually about making sure you would be easy to work with, seeing if you could work well with others, and making sure you aren't crazy.

Also many jobs don't really require many social skills. They just require you to be able to work well with your coworkers, and if you are in a role where you deal with customers, you have to know how to treat them respectfully. If you're totally socially awkward at work, your coworkers may not be friends with you, but as long as you do your job successfully it doesn't matter!



managertina
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29 Dec 2013, 11:49 pm

Plus, some jobs have scripts for dealing with customers, and procedure manuals. I definitely agree on getting more education and training. But failing that, get out all the interview practice books you can, and practice doing interviews with family, friends, etc. The more you do, the better you get, it is hard at first, but gets better.

Sometimes, on interviews, they ask you for a weakness. Take it from me, this is a question where you want to show how you corrected that weakness. Make the weakness small and less than significant to your job, and spend more time talking on how you overcame it, or how you are planning on overcoming it.

Also, speaking from a manager's perspective, do not worry if you do not get that first job. Often, there are two people or more who are equally good, so therefore I just have to go with one. As I said, the more you do, the better you get.

I did over fifty in three years before becoming permanent where I am. And boy, did I ever improve.

I hope SS works out for you.



em_tsuj
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01 Jan 2014, 6:09 pm

factory



jrjones9933
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01 Jan 2014, 6:27 pm

As far as more alternative types of places go, don't wait for them to be hiring. Just go in and chat with the manager about how much you'd like to work there.

Many food service places will train you if you have enough motivation, and a lot of cooks lack social skills because they're complete a$$holes. This can work in your favor, because learning to let things like that go is a useful skill to have. You may have to start out as a dishwasher, but it's a kind of Zen job. You just work as hard as you possibly can, and the shift will end before you know it. Some dishwashers don't even want to get promoted. In most places, you will have a chance to pick up extra shifts, and if you always come in when they schedule you, you will be a keeper. Almost none of them will expect you to pee in a cup before hiring you, but the big chains might if you get injured on the job.



Ann2011
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04 Jan 2014, 7:48 pm

How are you with animals? I got hired as a dog walker almost two months ago and it's actually working for me. (Touch wood.) You have to deal with clients, but only minimally - mostly I'm with the animals - which is awesome!

Also, I hate to say it, but I would recommend trying to come off as "normal" as possible with employers. They aren't interested in their workers problems - they just wan't as little grief as possible.



other_worlds
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12 Jan 2014, 3:35 pm

SSI is definitely not easy to get, especially these days, plus the rug of SSI can be pulled out from under you if you don't have a physical disability, you never know when regulation might change and they decide severe anxiety or ASD is not enough to keep you on SSI.

You might try, at least for now, YouTubing by speaking a lot on your special interest. You do not need to show your face or anything if that bothers you (I know it would bother me because I am a private sort of person), you could just talk from behind the camera while showing recorded footage of stuff, maybe you just walk and talk to make vlogs or show footage of video game playing, just anything to be a backdrop to your little rants.

The nice thing about YouTube is if you can maintain a decent amount of viewers, you will get ad revenue, you do not need to become an official "partner" in order to get money, but that helps a lot. Making these sorts of videos is very fast and simple, it is nowhere near as complex as the film buff types who make flashy stuff. Just do what a lot of people do now which is re-post news articles or stories that interest you, then rant about your opinion or take on it for 5 to 10 minutes. If you combine this sort of vlogging with walking around your town, you'll also get exercise which is a benefit to anyone.



other_worlds
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker
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12 Jan 2014, 3:36 pm

SSI is definitely not easy to get, especially these days, plus the rug of SSI can be pulled out from under you if you don't have a physical disability, you never know when regulation might change and they decide severe anxiety or ASD is not enough to keep you on SSI.

You might try, at least for now, YouTubing by speaking a lot on your special interest. You do not need to show your face or anything if that bothers you (I know it would bother me because I am a private sort of person), you could just talk from behind the camera while showing recorded footage of stuff, maybe you just walk and talk to make vlogs or show footage of video game playing, just anything to be a backdrop to your little rants.

The nice thing about YouTube is if you can maintain a decent amount of viewers, you will get ad revenue, you do not need to become an official "partner" in order to get money, but that helps a lot. Making these sorts of videos is very fast and simple, it is nowhere near as complex as the film buff types who make flashy stuff. Just do what a lot of people do now which is re-post news articles or stories that interest you, then rant about your opinion or take on it for 5 to 10 minutes. If you combine this sort of vlogging with walking around your town, you'll also get exercise which is a benefit to anyone.



starkid
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14 Jan 2014, 3:08 pm

Do you have any sort of diagnosis? If so, try Vocational Rehab.

Sign up with temp agencies.

There should be something like a state employment agency near you. Go there and use the free resumé and job searching workshops and things, get someone to help you figure out what your vocational strengths are and how/where to market yourself as an employee.



other_worlds
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker
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14 Jan 2014, 3:43 pm

starkid wrote:
Do you have any sort of diagnosis? If so, try Vocational Rehab.

Sign up with temp agencies.

There should be something like a state employment agency near you. Go there and use the free resumé and job searching workshops and things, get someone to help you figure out what your vocational strengths are and how/where to market yourself as an employee.


This can be a good start, but also the people at employment agencies might just be completely apathetic and mentally checked out like a lot of government workers are. It's a mixed bag. I tried an employment agency and despite displaying what I thought were some practical talents regarding typing and computers and technology, I was told my lack of experience and social connections would make it next to impossible to find work, so basically the employment agency told me I was hopeless. It's ironic because the entire reason I went there was because the job market was basically telling me the same thing, so I thought employment agencies were intended to help people like me, but they just wrote me off. Well, they did tell me I'd get contacted if they found anything, but I never heard from anyone, that was two years ago or so.

I get the feeling the employment agency workers just laughed at me after I left or something, like everyone else in society seems to do. Things like this have made me extremely distrusting of government services in general.