I'm scared! Experience (for us Aspies) not enough?

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I have a lot of experience for my age (16), as I've gone through two interviews (One successful and the other semi-successful), but I still worry about being fired. My first interview that was successful wasn't for a job - it was to get into a writing program at my school. The other one was a volunteer job with teens/young adults with special needsin which they PROMISED me that they would give me a volunteer bonus, but they didn't (After volunteering for 8 months!). So I don't count that as successful.
I just worry that I'll never be able to show all the abilities I have because people are so biased sometimes I don't want to be homeless, and I can't be working in a fast food restaurant or overwhelming places like that! Eeeeek!

It's important that you feel confident in your abilities to do and to learn. If you project that, most interviews will go well. It puts the interviewer at ease so they think better of you.

Granted, some interviews won't go as planned. Review them with cold reason, learn from the mistakes and do better the next time. You're Aspie. You can do this.

hey, you're just starting out. Believe it or not, as you gain experience and job skills, you do get off the bottom ladder. Don't be afraid to take on new things, learn new skills, show up on time, and volunteer to help out. All good things that managers look for

Ebec,

It is all about choosing the right place/job to work in.

If you only apply to restaurant/burger joints thats the only thing that will be on your resume and thus it is what future employers get to see.

You're only 16 so you're resume isn't really 'valid' unless you get something spectacular like assistant researcher or something like that.

After 18 though, really try to get into jobs with serious positions. You need to build up your resume so that it shows your experience and your abilities, not just what jobs you managed to grab.

At first, after 18, you will have a blank page. Entry level positions are your only option.

Here's where people make mistakes. They keep applying for restaurants, or they apply for supermarket jobs or positions which only show that you're part of the herd of expendable personnel. You need to apply for jobs which will show anyone reading your resume that YOU are better than the herd.

Also, when starting off at 18, do not apply for big mega-corporations or companies. Working for SEARS or for some big brand company of whatever product will only guarantee you will stay as part of the herd for a LONG time.

Instead, find the smaller companies that have an office or two in other cities. Aka, they are expanding. If you can find one with offices overseas its even better (as long as its not a large company). These smaller companies are EXCELLENT to boost your resume. You begin as entry level but their expansion means you have a lot of chances to transfer to other divisions or be promoted to higher positions.

Only after working with these small companies for a time and getting a few promotions can you start applying for the big companies.

If two versions of you apply for a job and im the one reviewing the resume.. and I see:

Resume 1
Work history: Mall shop attendant, data entry for big corporation, waitress, secretary and teacher assistant

Resume 2
Work History: Entry level position in small company, supervisor at small company, admin. assistant at small company, dept. coordinator (between supervisor and manager)

I will pick resume #2 even if both of you have the same education.. because #2 has a better list of 'titles' and carries business experience with them. Resume #1 only tells me you're looking for a job to pay the bills and doesn't really inspire me to give you a job over the rest of the herd of people that are applying for it as well.

Hope that helps!

Ya, I am more than qualified for all the jobs I have applied for. None of them will even give me the light of day.

Ebec,

The example I gave was merely business based. You can substitute your desired field into it.

If you're going for Humanities then the jobs you apply for and secure into your resume are best if they are not a bunch of entry level, no experience gaining/showing positions. Its ok (and expected) for you to have a couple of those as everyone starts that way; what I'm trying to say is that you don't want your resume showing a 10 year history of entry level positions.

It's great you know what you want to do so early

Oh, and no, it wont matter if you have a blank page while in college. Your education information will show any employer when you started school and when you graduate. Nobody expects you to come out of university with a degree and good work experience.. you're expected to graduate and then get that good experience.