Anyone feel like you can only get jobs you wouldn't be good

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SadAspy
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03 Feb 2011, 4:17 pm

Anyone else feel like they can only get jobs that wouldn't be a good match for them?

I have a feeling I could probably get a job that involved lots of interaction with people or a manual labor job, but those just aren't good fits for me. On the other hand, I would be a good fit for writing, editing, or research, but nobody wants to hire me for it :( (despite the fact that I have both the education and experience for it).



MidlifeAspie
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03 Feb 2011, 6:06 pm

Why don't "they" want to hire you despite appropriate background and education?



SadAspy
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04 Feb 2011, 10:37 am

If I knew the answer to that, I wouldn't be posting.

I'm guessing I just don't have enough experience....in this economy, employers can get people with 5-10 years experience.



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04 Feb 2011, 12:42 pm

So none of the employers give you any reason? Without a reason it is difficult to modify your approach.



Major_G
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05 Feb 2011, 12:34 am

It seems like the only jobs that I get responses on are sales, but I HATE sales (in addition to sucking at it). I'd be great at customer service, data entry, or call center job, but I can't seem to get those.



bucephalus
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05 Feb 2011, 2:24 am

Major_G wrote:
It seems like the only jobs that I get responses on are sales, but I HATE sales (in addition to sucking at it). I'd be great at customer service, data entry, or call center job, but I can't seem to get those.


Nobody wants to do sales, hence why there are plenty of sales jobs. I think neurotypical people desire aspie-friendly jobs just as much as the rest of us. Writing, editing, research or anything generally creative (IME) is hard to get because everyone wants to do it



SadAspy
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05 Feb 2011, 6:11 pm

bucephalus wrote:
Major_G wrote:
It seems like the only jobs that I get responses on are sales, but I HATE sales (in addition to sucking at it). I'd be great at customer service, data entry, or call center job, but I can't seem to get those.


Nobody wants to do sales, hence why there are plenty of sales jobs. I think neurotypical people desire aspie-friendly jobs just as much as the rest of us. Writing, editing, research or anything generally creative (IME) is hard to get because everyone wants to do it


Nailed it. Sure, there's jobs tailor-made for Aspies, but it's not just Aspies who want them.

Individuals are rarely turned down for sales jobs and they're NEVER turned down if they have a degree. However, it takes a pretty unique personality to be successful at it...you have to be very extroverted.

I think it's similar with unskilled manual labor....it's easy to get it because no one wants to do it.



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05 Feb 2011, 8:30 pm

SadAspy wrote:
Anyone else feel like they can only get jobs that wouldn't be a good match for them?

I have a feeling I could probably get a job that involved lots of interaction with people or a manual labor job, but those just aren't good fits for me. On the other hand, I would be a good fit for writing, editing, or research, but nobody wants to hire me for it :( (despite the fact that I have both the education and experience for it).


Every job I ever worked has been not right for me. 9 years in a resteraunt being paid next to nothing for doing the work of three people, having to put up with lowlife co-workers, and not to mention having a boss who talked to me like I was ret*d. 9 years in a machining plant fixing scratched or dinged parts saving the company thousands of dollars. my co-workers made fun of me for not driving, not acting normal, or because of my memory problems. I was slow at the polishing work but got done before the dead line but the bosses would scream at me to finish earlier, and the bosses tried to lowball every chance they got but from what my co-workers told me I was the only one they did this to. The type of work I get I have always been too slow at I have tried to apply at better paying jobs but I never pass the aptitude tests. They never given me a chance prove myself. I end up doing the same type of work for lower pay somewhere else. :roll:


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bookworm285
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08 Feb 2011, 12:23 am

SadAspy wrote:
Anyone else feel like they can only get jobs that wouldn't be a good match for them?

I have a feeling I could probably get a job that involved lots of interaction with people or a manual labor job, but those just aren't good fits for me. On the other hand, I would be a good fit for writing, editing, or research, but nobody wants to hire me for it :( (despite the fact that I have both the education and experience for it).


Yes, I have a lifetime of experiencing this. And I have the education for it. But just can't cross that invisible line to get the better jobs...



jackbus01
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08 Feb 2011, 1:46 am

I think part of the problem with job searching is that you have no idea whether you truly are a candidate or not. They may already have someone else in mind but you don't know it. Also, you will never get any feedback on why you did not receive a job. I understand legally why companies cannot directly state their reasons for not choosing you. So it really is a wonder when you apply for jobs and you don't get any calls.



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08 Feb 2011, 11:12 am

Here is some advice. I have had this type of job, and still do to a certian degree.
You must be willing to move, and willing to live in a city. DC, Chicago, San Fran and NYC are the best markets for the job you describe, with DC leading the list. Mobility is really key.
Politics is also key. Nonprofits, trade associations, political campaigns and unions are the top recruiters for these type of positions.

The other option is willing to work for a startup. You know who hires alot of writers: groupon (Chicago). Maybe be willing to work for a startup for little pay at first can get you the experience and connections to crack into the field.

Also the key is to know how to look for these respective jobs, as they are not as easy to find as going on monster.com, since most of these types of jobs do not post there. They often post on thier own websites, trade publications, or idealist.org. Just finding jobs to apply for takes a degree of expertise that is fairly rare.
This is my advice.



dreigrasheir
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08 Feb 2011, 1:39 pm

If you have the training, I would suggest a headhunter or specialized temp agency. Not a low level office or labor temp, but one that works specifically with your trade. Experience is everything. For instance, I got my current job because I was on a 3 month contract that I got from an IT/Quality Assurance staffing agency.

Major_G wrote:
It seems like the only jobs that I get responses on are sales, but I HATE sales (in addition to sucking at it). I'd be great at customer service, data entry, or call center job, but I can't seem to get those.

Hehe.. I made a TERRIBLE salesman... I knew the stuff was good quality but waaaaaay overpriced because of the giant bonuses the managers got.



BTDT
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09 Feb 2011, 6:44 am

You best bet may be to investigate organizations related to your special interests--they often need writers who possess the attention to detail that only an Aspie is likely to have. Their ideal candidate is someone who has been immersed in the special interest for 5 or 10 years and can recall everything that has been published.

When I was younger, I felt similarly about pricing. But, I realized that some people value their time much more than money, and are willing to pay for a better buying experience. For them, dealing with a real human and consistently getting good products and services is well worth the additional cost.



SadAspy
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09 Feb 2011, 5:01 pm

starygrrl wrote:
Here is some advice. I have had this type of job, and still do to a certian degree.
You must be willing to move, and willing to live in a city. DC, Chicago, San Fran and NYC are the best markets for the job you describe, with DC leading the list. Mobility is really key.
Politics is also key. Nonprofits, trade associations, political campaigns and unions are the top recruiters for these type of positions.

The other option is willing to work for a startup. You know who hires alot of writers: groupon (Chicago). Maybe be willing to work for a startup for little pay at first can get you the experience and connections to crack into the field.

Also the key is to know how to look for these respective jobs, as they are not as easy to find as going on monster.com, since most of these types of jobs do not post there. They often post on thier own websites, trade publications, or idealist.org. Just finding jobs to apply for takes a degree of expertise that is fairly rare.
This is my advice.


Thanks, and I think you are absolutely right. I have a phone interview next week for a job in D.C.



Kvornan
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09 Feb 2011, 11:48 pm

Less and less people want to do jobs in sales these days due to the rise of Information Tech. It's the IT age right now and many and many jobs seem to be IT-related. And it's much cheaper and more laid-back to just do sales via those pop-up ads you see on the internet, or even that Adsense bar to your left as your reading right now. Back in the days, they had sales because there's no computers or technology advanced enough to do these cool things, so they send extroverts out to pull people into buying their product.

I'm on my way to working in the IT industry, graphics design. And I'm worried too that I might end up in something I might not enjoy and the only solution for me now is doing my best in college at the moment. I mean, who knows I may be a very very valuable resource in the Graphic design industry? I don't know that, and I'd prefer to be laid-back, doing from assignment to assignment(even if I struggle at times), and practice & practice then to live under paranoia of doing a hellish job.



zer0netgain
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10 Feb 2011, 12:00 pm

bucephalus wrote:
Major_G wrote:
It seems like the only jobs that I get responses on are sales, but I HATE sales (in addition to sucking at it). I'd be great at customer service, data entry, or call center job, but I can't seem to get those.


Nobody wants to do sales, hence why there are plenty of sales jobs. I think neurotypical people desire aspie-friendly jobs just as much as the rest of us. Writing, editing, research or anything generally creative (IME) is hard to get because everyone wants to do it


That's about my take on the situation.

When you're "odd," employers aren't keen to hire you unless you just happen to make a good connection with them.

Hence, your best chance for employment are in jobs that can't find anyone willing to work there. Odds you'll be happy working there...pretty slim.

I've had more than enough "crap jobs" because it's all I could seem to get. Anything really good (or at least, that I desire) I have a slim chance at being taken seriously for.