AS and Getting a Job

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Does anybody know if there are employment agencies that help people like us? I have two part-time jobs, and they're OK, but I need to make more money. Trouble is, every job description I read demands someone with tons of enthusiasm, who is very proactive, can juggle many tasks in a fast-paced environment, etc., etc., all things I've never been good at, and hate!

I was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome this week, after many hours of cognitive tests, a diagnostic interview, and a session with a psychiatrist. I finally knew the reason why I've always had so much trouble with jobs that required enthusiastic input and involvement, proactiveness, multi-tasking and dealing with high-stress situations. Ironically, I just got an email from Jobfox, a job-search website, and they evaluated my resume. They said "you come across as a “doer” not an “achiever.” Too many of your job descriptions are task based and not results based. This means that they tell what you did, not what you achieved . . . Employers want to know about your previous contributions and specifically how you’ve made a difference."

I've been told this before, but for the first time, I know why my resume is like that. I'm an artist, a scholar and a writer, and I only work in offices to pay the bills. I used to think that was the only reason, but the real reason is AS. Not to sound hostile, but I am not interested in making a "difference" in any kind of business job. When I work, all I want in the world is to be left alone! I find interview questions like "Where do you see yourself in five years?" stupid and annoying. "What's it to ya?" I feel like saying.

I'm writing a musical based on a movie, and the movie producers love my work and plan to find financing to get it produced on stage. THAT is the kind of thing I'm good at. But until the show (hopefully) becomes a success, I need a job just to pay the bills. I'll be 60 in October, which means I can apply for Social Security in two years. That means I'll only need a part-time job (right now I have two, and it's tiring.) I thought I'd buy Dreamweaver and learn how to edit websites, something I can do at home.

If anyone can direct me to a job agency that helps aspies, I'd really appreciate it, or any other kind of advice. Thank you.

Higgie

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Do a google search for your city looking for autistic services or autistic rescorces. Example, Buffalo autistic services



I always wanted to say banging your wife and making her feel things you never could.

Try Goodwill. They help people like us get jobs.

Thanks so much! I really appreciate it!

OMG that is hilarious. I also used to want to say "in jail for killing you, butthead," but I like yours better! LMAO!

It's not clear how to reply to someone's reply to me! Why does it say "quote" in the upper right hand corner?

Anyway, I just wanted to thank the two folks who advised me about AS job hunting. I'll get right on it!

Higgie

I find that most job announcements are not very honest. They all sound very similar regardless of what the job actually entails. I swear the job could be stocking shelves in a grocery store and the job announcement would still call for the same things "face-paced environment, multi-tasking".



Basically this means that your resume should indicate how you went "above and beyond" the stuff that you were required. It doesn't have to be anything huge. You might want to go to Barnes & Noble and look through a resume book. You can get an idea of what these kind of statement are like.


Most interview questions are stupid. Usually the questions are actually asking something else.
Literal Question: Where do you see yourself in five years? (I used to think they actually wanted a year-by-year mapping of my life)
Actual Question: Are you goal oriented?
Most of the interview questions are the same crap. In fact, you can Google a list of common questions. There are sometimes some suggested responses. When I go in for an interview I have some canned responses in my brain.

All of this is nonsense is part of the game. Then when you are hired you can let your hair down (so to speak)...

My problem is that I don't know if the job will work for me until I actually do it. If the job description was more honest then that would be more helpful....tell me what I actually will be doing.

I really like the acronymn AUTISTIC (Always Unique, etc.). Did you make that up?

The descriptions are indeed full of baloney. How many times have you seen the words "act as liaison with other departments" and known perfectly well that it means taking phone messages? God what B.S.

If you find one let me know. I have been looking for a job and or a place to help find a job. No luck on both.