Applying For And Working a Job When Undiagnosed

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......and, quite frankly, relatively prominent anxiety and depression issues.

I am currently unemployed, and I've never had a job before. I need a job very soon if I am going to move out and consequentially attain some level of higher education. Naturally, this task is rather daunting. Especially for an autistic person.

I want to start with actually applying for the job first, but I don't even know where to start with that, and that is the start. I have some pretty good ideas about what to put for the actual content of the resume, but the fine details are what's troubling me. Do I need a cover letter for my first job? Do I need references? If so, how many is the minimum? Can I still get a job without references if it's my first one?

As for actually working, I'm really scared. I have both social and sensory difficulties and I don't know how to cope, especially while trying to pass as NT. Every job involves some level of social interaction and (likely unpleasant) sensory input. What are some jobs that might be a little easier to manage with this in mind? What are some coping methods for overstimulation while on the job?

If you were in America you wouldn't be able to get accomdations because until your diagnosised or rather if you get diagnosised here that's when you can request an accomdation.

As for jobs references can make or break you. If you had a previous job and people you know and trust can claim you have wonders skills that's the person you want.

If your coming to the United States I recommend and can say this for sure DO NOT ASK FOR AN ACCOMDATION if you do not have the paperwork to back it up meaning a diagnosis from a proper authority don't even mention it.

Cause if you tell tell them your proof is a Facebook/Xanga Quiz and you know in your heart of hearts your autistic

Either they will

1. Laugh in your face
2. Politely tell you they need a doctors note then laugh when your gone
3. Stare aimlessly and wonder if this guy is for real.

I'd recommend a programming job if you have the skills if you have no skills how are you going to move out and get a good job? Your jumping ahead of yourself here

Also you could also consider a truck driving career it's real good money

Nowhere in my original post did I state that I was going to ask my employer for accommodations without a paper diagnosis, and nowhere in my original post did I state that I came to the conclusion that I'm autistic via a Facebook/Xanga quiz.



Nowhere in my original post did I state that I have no skills to offer an employer. One year is plenty of time to turn my life around and you frankly don't know the circumstances. So no, I am not ahead of myself.

You're not diagnosed you stated that. So whether it was xanga, your heart of hearts cause you know, a psychic or whoever right now your passing yourself off as Autistic when it's not known whether or not you are. Worst thing you could do is during an interview ask for an accomadation cause some people who self dianogsis are finally getting help only to run away or deny the professionals and some are found to have a pretty bad mental illness (Some are not even autistic) and not getting the help they need because its apart of their illness that they are autistic and no one else can tell them differently. So I want to make sure to be perfectly clear do not tell them you're something when you have no proof.

It might work on a message board but in the work place even though I have my papers all together for my documentation it's demanded each and every time I make an accommodation.

Moving on



In you're first post you stated



Most people find this out the hard way but when you apply for a job even if it's entry level you're skill set helps you. Problem is you also state you wishing to attain 'some level' of higher education. So you have no experience, from what I gathered you have not went to College/University? So what do you bring to the table that you say you have skills?

Have you done trading and made a profit well self employed? Have you fixed electronics well self employed? What are your skills?

You're asking for advice but you're not telling much and the information you've provided is not enough for me to say anything but be cautious and don't jump the gun. You're already diagnosing yourself do you have some experience volunteering on the phone talking to people?

From what you've given its not a lot to go out and with not having worked a job, and at the same time no degree you're going to have to start at the bottom. McDonalds is a great place to gain experience for someone like yourself. If you feel that is too low from where you want to be then you are indeed jumping the gun because you have to start somewhere.

You can't just jump into a full career without any vocational training, education, and most importantly job experience. In fact you can do four years in a college here in the states when you first start applying for jobs regardless of education they still look at your work experience.

One years time to get a really good job with no higher education, and experience is a tough sell. Now if you know someone that changes the ball game but why would you be here asking advice if you had someone who could hook up since that support system would be there at that point.

Also if you have volunteering experience that can also change the ball game as well since depending on what you were volunteering for that can translate into experience.

Never said I was looking for a good job without post-secondary education. You don't exactly need a degree to be a cashier at Walmart.