Frustrated Over Hidden Difficulties

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I don't think my counselors and SSA understand that I don't have the energy to work a "full" 40 hour week. Is there any sort of medical test, anything I can do to make people see that I become exhausted?

Also, it is next to impossible to find a suitable job because most jobs are full-time. The job market where I am is horrible, and the traditional part-time jobs (in retail, etc.) are impossible to get without experience. Has anyone succeeded, with the help of an organization or not, in getting a regular full-time job and being allowed to work on a part-time basis?

Well instead of finding a job where you can work less, h'bout you figure out why it's hard for you to work that long? What seems to be the problem working for so long? Or just break it down.

In this economy, I don't think you're likely to be hired for part time hours in a job that is advertised as full time. I think you would be better off looking for part time work to start off with.

If all the part time jobs you find say they need someone with relevant experience, try highlighting the experience you do already have, and express how you would like to transfer the skills gained from that experience to this new job. Even if you don't have specific experience in, say, the hospitality industry, you could say something like "My work in x company developed my x, y and z skills, and I am eager to transfer these skills to the hospitality industry". That should be in the cover letter. Throughout the whole letter, write about your background, skills and experience in ways that make them fit the job description. It's worth trying that even if they ask for very specific experience.

Also ask around in your social networks to see if anyone is looking for someone to work for them. That tends to be successful. People also have a surprising amount of success approaching employers directly and asking if they have work opportunities. (Most jobs aren't advertised). This can be difficult if you tend to be shy though.


Good luck-I hope this was helpful.

I can work that long, or, at least I have worked that long on my own projects, at home. It's being away from home and being watched that causes the exhaustion. Being in an unfamiliar environment, having to take breaks, etc. according to someone else's schedule, not being able to eat when I need to (I'm hypoglycemic), the stress of needing to look busy at all times, dealing with the distractions of other people and workplace noise.

I have similar problems, and it made working difficult but not impossible. It is the reason I tended to stay in the same job for a long time, rather than look for new opportunities. You do get used to a job, and if it's not one where you have to deal with the public, sometimes you're able to know what to expect each day, deal with the same people, who become familiar, and you get into a routine. It depends on the type of job. I found doing technical writing was very much the same every day, and didn't require a lot of me socially. Therefore it wasn't exhausting. It did get tough when there were people drawing me into gossip or office politics, so I learned to shy away from that - otherwise I'd go home every day hating my job. I was also careful to take all my breaks, and if I needed to, leave the office completely for them. If it's a job that allows headphones, try listening to something soft and soothing.

Keep regular sleep hours, if you can, and be sure to drink plenty of water. Not soda, coffee, etc. Water. I also find that eating breakfast helps me, as well as taking vitamins. B complex especially helps me with my energy level. So much so that I have to take it in the morning with breakfast or it disturbs my sleep.

You might also want to talk to your doctor about possible thyroid problems or fibromyalgia (I have fibromyalgia and that's part of my low energy problem).

I always tried to make starting a new job as easy on myself as possible by catching up with housework, laundry, bills and so forth ahead of the start date, planning meals ahead of time, and planning what I would wear, so that first week or two could be a focus on getting used to the new job and its associated routines rather than having to worry about making decisions about other things. Then I would go home and just gel after work. I reminded my spouse, hey, I'm getting used to a new job right now, please don't stress me about anything else. I also always used to reserve Sunday afternoon and evening to get myself psyched for the work week. I'd take care of laundry and extra grooming tasks, and not commit myself to anything else on Sundays.

That's interesting. I actually am/was looking into being a technical writer. Someone else on WP counseled me not to because there was too much social interaction.

You can also try making your work space more like your home. I try to personalize mine as much as possible.

I really can't imagine a company hiring someone for a full time position and then letting them work part time.

I figured being exhausted was just part of working a 40 hour week. I just muscle through and ingest large quantities of caffeine. Of course, my body is falling apart like a condemned house.

Of course each situation is different, but for me it was a good fit. Much better than having to work with the public.

I used to think that way too, and I wondered how other people could stand it. Now I see that I get more exhausted than others, and that I am bothered by workplace factors that others enjoy.