How do I get a job?

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Even hippies have to make some extra coin to get to the next widespread panic concert. May I suggest selling chocolate covered mushrooms at the next concert.

No clue on what stage you are at in trying to "get" a job. Getting a job is a little different than earning a job. the earning part is more rewarding.

To earn a job,
1. Write down on a piece of paper what things you want to do and what working conditions you think will work for you.
2. Look at every available resource (newspaper, online job postings, unemployment websites, unemployment office of your state...) for anything that matches your criteria.
3. Contact the appropriate people for the job posting. This may require a resume and/or an email address or phone.
4. Ask to fill out an employment application. Make sure you have the addresses for all of your previous employers for filling out the application. Once the application is completed and turned in then you have "officially" applied for a job. Type up a file on your computer or a hard copy so that this information is easily accessible. Filling out applications suck and you'll spend some time doing in your lifetime. Cross your fingers, keep looking and maybe you'll get a call.
5. Adjust step 1 if step 4 is unsuccessful.

Finding a job is a job. I worked in the restaurant business until I graduated college. It took me some time to figure out interviews. Now, I kinda like interviews.

I am at university and I have to get a job over the summer (really really need to) but I have never had one before and I am worried that I will get really stressed about having to find one and having to talk to people to get it and things that I will not do it. Does anyone have any helpful suggestions about what I should do? I get very stressed and overloaded when I have to do things like this - applying to university and the whole first year (which has just finished) has been AWFUL.

PM Me and see my profile for the radio show I do for job seekers with aspergers and other issues. Anyway, you go in, smile and fill out an application. (just kidding!!) It is not getting a job, but KEEPING a job that is important. Otherwise, you just get very frustrated and waste a lot of time. Nodding your head during an interview will work.
As uncomfortable as it is, look people in the eye during the job interview, or at least above their head. I just recalled a hilarious interview: manyyears ago this woman was such an idiot, she kept her radio blasting opera music throughout the interview, and she got all disgusted at me and said 'are you distracted?' I said you bet I am!

I graduated high school over 20 years ago, and took two years of business courses, and never once in school , not ONCE, did they deal with the real-world issue of getting along with people at work and saying the right thing at the right time. That is #1. It comes above skills, marketing, or anything else. You MUST know the intricate crazy patterns of people's social interactions to survive in the workplace. Period. I should know, after having 45 jobs. I knew, even in high school, that all the accounting, typing and business knowledge focus was wrong, and that they needed to be focusing on the difficulty of knowing how and what to say at work.

[qu
I just can't get motivated is all. [/quote]

Starvation is a great motivator. Missing a few meals is very physically painful and causes a great gnawing inside that makes your head feel like it will explode and it actually hurts your chest. Yes, I have been there and know what it feels like. Going to a shelter or food bank was also a great motivator to get a job,, ANY income.

Show up and shut up. Unfortunately, this is what employers like when dealing with new people and new employees. DO NOT go by what veteran workers do. Many vet workers will mouth off to boss, dress badly and you figure 'well, they do it, it must be acceptable'. NO. You don't know their history with the boss.. you are the new person and, as such, lowest in the pecking order. Don't let anyone else who is miserable at their job affect your motivation.

Then you must get some sort of disability payment if you can't work without melting down? Getting disability payments for aspergers was very very hard here.. impossible, as no doctor has ever officially diagnosed me with it. Library here was TOTALLY unsympathetic when I educated them ten times on aspergers and my asp tendencies.. they called it 'inappropriate' and did not want us working there after we had worked there in the past.

Well, if you are so adversely affected that you can't manage the fundamental tasks involved with getting up on time, getting ready for work and reporting to work on schedule, then nobody will hire you until you can at least get past that bridge.

I know that may sound harsh, but it's the truth. I'm sure you're not the only person with AS who finds themselves in that situation.

That's right. Wanna know what my parents said upon hearing I scored high for aspergers? "Get out and get a job, get an income. We are not a caretaker. If you need help with daily tasks, go to a social worker or get someone to help you'". Talk about harsh. Set an alarm clock. Of course I used to wake early and unplug mine , so if you are not a morning person, get a night job. NEVER rely on want ads. They are next to useless and the jobs in there, according to the experts, are undesirable jobs with high turnover and you will be out in 3 days to two weeks so what is the point? Don't waste time. Talk to a GOOD social worker. If you are over the age of 18, you are an adult. This goes for everyone.

Well, if you are so adversely affected that you can't manage the fundamental tasks involved with getting up on time, getting ready for work and reporting to work on schedule, then nobody will hire you until you can at least get past that bridge.

Unless you're Marilyn Monroe, and even then she was fired for not showing up on time, eventually, after many missings.

Starvation is a great motivator. Missing a few meals is very physically painful and causes a great gnawing inside that makes your head feel like it will explode and it actually hurts your chest.

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I still live with my parents. So there is no starvation as a motivator. Also, starvation wouldn't be harmful unless it's for 4 weeks, up until which I will be glad to starve, as I will lose a whole lot of weight. (Then again I have given up on that, and I'm looking to put on 35 pounds)
If I can't get motivated to just get my foot through the door, then who knows what will happen.