Finding and Keeping jobs - Tips and Advice

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This thread is for all to post about getting and keeping a job.

I request that only Tips and advice be posted here.

I'm doing this becasue I got this email today. While the theroy it puts forward makes sense, on my own I would have never thought of this. So lets help out those who are down on their luck with work.

I am currently involved in interviewing and hiring 20 co-op students for my company. When the process is over I'll publish a report on this stuff.

So far though the thankyou note stuff seems to be bogus. Student t test reveils no correlation between thankyou notes and getting invited for a second interview.

So far of import are:

Good GPA (>3.2 for my company)
Enthusiastic - really want the job
Research - have investigated what the job involves and understand it.
Willing to share recognition and credit with team mates
Personality fit (introvert/extrovert orientation) some groups prefer quiet people ( sw design, programming) others ebulent folks (Validation, hardware design). The personality so far affects which opening someone gets assigned to not if they are hired.

More later

That is a very good idea, Scott! I think some people like us need some tips for advice and working!

I am more interested in finding a job that fits my personality. Despite having AS (self-diagnosed) I usualy do great at interviews. I'm not sure why, I think it can be so stressful that it is not stressful anymore, if that makes any sense. Usually interviews are easier than I think they will be before I go in. I don't have too much trouble talking about myself, and a lifetime of practice has made me a good (maybe cumpulsive) lier when necesary. I don't really lie, but I don't mention that I loath social interaction or anything like that. I also pretend to be ambitious and concerned about the stuff that people are supposed to be concernced about. I used to be in theatre in HS, so I kind of just pretend to be a fictional character that is like me, except normal.

So, in terms of finding a job that fits my personality, does anyone have any tips? When I was in college, I probably should have seen a career counseler, but I have always have had a tendency to not go to anyone for help. I don't know if there are career counselers for people who already are out of school and have a career, but want to find a new one.

I'm interested in what can work. I usually send a thank you note, and I interview quite well. I always come in second place (it might as well be last place). The main affectation of my AS is my voice, and I feel I'm unable to win that "battle of the first impressions."

I know that I tend to talk to much and therefore say things that kill the interview. Ultimately, the employer is going to hire whoever he likes best whether they can do the job or not. I can usually act NT long enough to make a good first impression (my resume helps), but the longer I talk the more likely I am to say something to offend them. So I just try to answer the questions as briefly as possible with whatever answer they want to hear. If I try to say as little as possible, I hit it about right. Always remember, no matter what they say they DO NOT WANT YOUR OPINION ON ANYTHING UNLESS ITS THE SAME AS THEIRS.

What about GETTING the interview?

My biggest obstacle is actually getting someone to actually talk to me. I've sent out coutless resumes and I don't get any thing back. I try to call these people and find out what's up. It's not like I'm just sitting there i persue it. But position are always filled as soon as I apply, or the don't actually have anything at the moment, they're just taking resumes for some mystery time in the future when the might hire someone. That person most likely will be a friend of family member of someone already working there. Any job I've gotten was like that. I don't think people actually get jobs cold, off the street.

I don't know anyone who knows anyone who might be hiring someone like me. My social network sucks.

But at this point I don't want to work for someone else anymore. I want to start my own thing. I've got 2 things kinda started. But starting a business is confusing and overwhelming. But I think if I wholheartedly believe in a product I can sell it. And I believe in my own stuff, I take awesome photos, and I have some pretty good ideas for software in my head.

But logic dictates that I may reach points at which I must survive and take a "9-5" to make ends meet. I think part of my problem is that I really dont give a hoot about my boss or whatever he's so stressed about, that's his problem. If he can't give me just compensation for relieving some of the stress off his back, then he's on his own.
Having been laid off 4 times in a row, I've become kinda jaded against employers, I got the message that I, as an employee was completely expendable, and to be discarded when no longer cost effective according to the accounting people. Some of those I understand, they were small businesses, and It can be tough to keep going. I see it as no personal fault but the nature of employment in general. It is not a stable thing. And keeping a regular 9-5 job is as much work as running your own business, except somebody else reaps the profits.

But getting investment for a business is like a hardcore job interview TIMES 1000!! it's all the same weither it's a boss or a customer handing you the check.

I reference to the advice above:
Even as a business, I meet with a potential client for a web site or something. It is ESSENTIAL, that I thank them for their time and consideration. If you want some money out of someone, you gotta brownnose a little.



Pete

I've gotten jobs through social contacts, newspaper ads, and shotgunning resumes. Ultimately, getting a job is selling yourself, and the same rules apply. My brother runs a fairly successful software consulting business. He once told me you could figure on about a 1% response rate from anysort of marketing. Its all sheer numbers. Send out enough resumes and SOMEBODY will usually bite.

Lets face it. Companies do stupid things, including laying off their best emplyees just because they won't work 24/7 for free. So they have to keep hiring new people to replace the ones they fired. Just remember that when you finally do land that next job, its only temporary. Never stop looking for a better deal.

julieme ihope your company tanks and you lose your shirt...one should have no preconcieved criteria imo.

How do people find good jobs though? It's no good to send your resume to a job who would mistreat you if hired, and I can't find any that don't!

How do you keep a job, once you have it?

Nerderer,

you have to be good looking and a jerk if your both all the better and nobody likes a know it all.

One thing

America needs to be aware that the social interaction skills of those with aspergers, and some of the other traits associated with the disorder makes it a disability. Handicapping those who have it an a multitude of ways.


second thing.

Once it is established as a disability, people with aspergers would have a foot in the door for any job they are qualified for. Thanks to The American Disabilities Act, it could be viewed as discriminiation if you are not hired simply because you are a poor interviewee.

third thing


Synx 13 wrote

I've never heard about people who send a Thank-you-letter after a job interview, at least here in Norway.

thank you notes? do people really use these? in all my experience of researching into 'access to employment' in the Uk i have not once come accross one, perhaps they are reserved for particular types of work/employment?

Hi Pete,

I understand how you feel. You have tried very hard to apply jobs, but always employers and recruiters seem to have an excuse
why they neglect your professional background and choose instead an outspoken person whose life is fully in order. Sometimes
they send letters with the message "thank you for your interest toward our company" or mention that our decision did not target to
you. Since quitted my previous job, it has taken more than one year from me to get recruited in another field- nursing. The employer
was not interested in high academic education or high grades, but personality and job experience.

For us aspergers interviews cause often excitement which we can not deal with. We may talk about irrational things and words get
mixed. In ordinary phone interviews we might manage even better.