I have to get a job

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But for what jobs they offer I have no experience. My only good skills are in photography but trying to find work like that in a small town will be hard.
I'm on this job network for people with disabilities. My case worker is pressuring me to apply for places that I feel I'm no good at. She wants me to apply for a job at Office Works, but I would need really good people skills and I know their interviews consist of about 5 people at one time. So I haven't gone in because I feel to anxious. I also don't know where the entrance is. This sounds silly but if I don't know the proper door to enter then I won't.
I'm also scared to start work because it's something I've never done before. I have difficulty following directions and I don't know how many hours I'll be expected to work. See I have all this anxiety before I even apply for a job.
I'm not very good with people and my case worker treats me like I'd be able to work any job. It's supposed to be a disability employment network but it just feels like the regular employment network I was at.
I'm really not sure how to stop this anxiety. I'm on anti-depressants but they've done little to stop my anxiety. It feels like they've stopped working.
Another thing is when I have an interview people say I'm really nervous, but that's just how I am. I just think if I say I have AS if it would be easier to get a job.

Would it help with the anxiety if you approached this situation very systematically?

Like maybe writing down the things you need to know (where is the right door? etc) and then finding the answers.
Making a list of what you're good at and what you aren't good at... then maybe showing it to some friends, relatives and see if any job ideas come out of that.

Once, I worked filing medical records... it was nice because I was left alone most of the day and I'm really good at the alphabet. I also did filing at an large insurance office. That was before everything was computers, but it's just an example.

Could you do data entry?

It's a right of passage to full adulthood. Scary, but necessary to realize your full life. Just keep on keeping on...

Employers always advertise jobs ads with the ideal characteristics they know they will never fully get. When the more-than-ideal candidate comes along, some employers may even be intimidated to hire (for salary reasons perhaps).

I think the jobs you have right now may not be your ideal, but maybe you'll pick up a new skill. Someday in the future it may give you an edge over others.

I have the annoying anxiety too, but everyone I've seen has told me the same thing - what do you have to loose? If disclosing your Asperger's helps, do it. Your disability network ought to be more understanding.

I think it's the years of intimidation that make a lot of Aspies socially anxious. So generally in social situations, I find it somewhat helpful just to relax and say whatever you want. If I make a moron out of myself, so be it; some people may even love me like that, who knows?

Does your disability employment agency offer the option of job placement instead of going through the interview process? Can they recommend a 1:1 aide? Are there other agencies near your area to do research on?
Don't worry about it. Try viewing the interview as an opportunity to learn instead. Maybe you might want to do some relaxing activity or deep, slow breathing before the interview.

I'm at that stage too so I empathise with your difficulties. As for the 'requires good communication' part, if you take a look at the amount of ads that say that, I swear if you stuck by it no one with any social difficulties would ever be employed. My theory so far is that its a fad, one of those shiney new things that everyone puts in their advert because everyone else is doing it, though I haven't had enough long term experience to acquately gage that.

My opinion would be just take a deep breath and go for it. If they question your attitude, and you feel you have to disclose your autism then an idea would be to put it in a way like mentioning aspergers means you are at your worst in a interview as its all different and once you know inside out and are comfertable with what your doing then your better. As much a 'on the bright side' as you can.

Think about the money and remember that experience is the turning point, as you get more experience it'll become easier to get work. Maybe have a little think about what you want to do long term as well. If you don't know then being employed might be a good time to volunteer at a few places in some of your time off to get a feel for different areas. If you do know but can't get a job in your field, you could put in a little volunteer time in a related field or work part time on a qualification.

Good luck. It'll be terrifying, plain scary and challenging but it should get easier as you get more used to it. Remember that everyone is anxious and green when their new to a job.

Thanks for the replies.
I think maybe I do need to get a feel for the place before I apply for a job there. I know I need to stop being so scared about the unknown and just grit my teeth and do it.
And if that doesn't work then maybe I can find someone to help me. I don't think anyone knows how nervous I am about this though.