No Chance in Landing the Job of My Dreams?

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I came across this article recently and believe that I have no chance of landing a job in Web Development: http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2012/06/07 ... e_linkedin.

Looking at the article, the author brings up a common theme: communication. This is a quality that individuals like myself who have AS deal with. Fortunately, the article comes up with some suggestions. I have thought of suggestions of my own. However, I do not know if this will be enough.

What does everyone else think?

That article is pretty much spot on about the interviewing process. I'm really pissed off that employers can do this s**t and don't give a damn about experience, just looks.

Yes, that list is quite right. Those 10 things really come down to 1: choosing a person you'd like to work with.

Put yourself in the hiring manager's shoes. You want to hire someone who is going to work next to you 5 days a week for along time (hopefully). Many candidates have applied. Maybe 3 of them seem like they can all do the job well - some better than others, so you've ranked them from 1 to 3. But you just don't get along with the #1 candidate. The #2 candidate is almost as good in terms of experience and ability to do the job, but you get along with them well. Who would you hire? Even I, an aspie, would hire the person I get along with better - and an NT would probably do it without even consciously thinking about it!

I think it's a bit cynical to say that employers don't give a damn about experience and ability to do the job. Most of them do - but they also care about getting along. Even as a programmer you will need to work with others and - this is the hardest part - convince the boss that you can.

Having said that, it is possible to work as a web developer freelance and then you don't need to get through any interview. This is one of those jobs where your portfolio could speak for you! That's not to discourage you from applying for regular jobs, of course. As you said, there are ways to get through the interview, it just takes a hell of a lot of work.

I definitely agree, as the person who is hired is the person you are going to have to work with and be around you eight hours a day, five hours a week. Most definitely, you have to get along with person or else the environment will be unproductive. Unfortunately, as Rudy Simone mentions in her book Asperger's on the Job, the reality of the workplace is that workers are expected to not only work, but to socially behave and "fit in" (another area people with AS have difficulty with).



Definitely, although my goal is to have a job in an actual company that is permanent; full-time; and offers competitive benefits and wages. I will take freelancing under consideration.

What is meant by saying that the suggestions of my own are suggestions other than going through the front door (i.e.: applying to jobs head-on by replying to advertisements), especially when the interview is the first chance an employer gets to know you other than you resume and cover letter. I know that there are other methods, such as networking; informational interviewing; and through someone you know are suggestions I have on attempting to pass the interview stage and ultimately be given a job offer. The point here is trying to build relationships with employers and then attempt to apply for a job.

You can always negotiate, try to find a compromise that suits both of you.

Sure, you can get a job in the field.

Have a good portfolio of web design. Volunteer to do sites and build a portfolio.

Interview at multiple companies.
One hiring manager might not "click" with you, but that doesn't mean anyone in the industry won't.
It's a "tech field"-- staff is often more "geeky" than other fields.

You need experience, volunteering if that's the only option.

Having an education in that field would of course be a plus. Know the coding languages and apps for the job you're applying. If you only know HTML, don't apply for a backend job. If you're a graphic designer, apply for graphic designer jobs. If you're a coder, apply for coding jobs in the markup language you know. Don't try to be what you're not in terms of skill, i.e. a graphic designer who knows HTML can't say they're an iOS developer. Focus on your skills, and find jobs that fit your skill. Apply to multiple jobs daily until you land the job you want.

Dressing appropriate for the interview is necessary. The article mentions sloppy clothes, flashy attire, unkempt hygiene, etc. That's all something you can change. Dress well. Professionalism goes a long way.

The article mentions coming off as cocky, not a team player, etc. Of course those would be a turn off. Again, you can work on those-- or have someone help you practice-- and not come off like that as much.

People sometimes don't click with people from the start, but that doesn't mean you'll never land a job. Some hiring managers look at experience more than personality or personal traits. Having a stellar portfolio gives you a lot of leeway on the other things. You could have an amazing portfolio, a great resume, and get the job-- even if you're the nerdiest, shyest, awkward person on the planet and show up to the interview in jeans. If your portfolio is weaker, work on the things you can change: dress well, get a haircut, smile, be pleasant, be sincere, have your resume edited, rehearse what you're going to say, practice conversations with other people, etc.

I don't call not hiring someone who dresses sloppily "discrimination." Discrimination is mistreatment based on sex, gender, and other protected categories.

There's things in there that are very legit and some that are BS.

It is absolutely untrue that people are hired just for "looks" especially in web development. Strippers, hookers, waitresses, shot girls, male dancers, models, etc get hired for looks.

The issue of looks and clothes for business, it's about appropriateness/giving a s**t. If you show up looking like you just rolled out of bed, that says you don't care about the job. Your attire can also say you don't understand the job. If you show up to a job driving trains in a 3 piece suite, you might not know what your in for.

I don't think for a minute these mean you can't get a job, there are things people with AS have to deal with, but being aware of the rules before hand, you can form a plan to adapt.

Develop a solid portfolio and worry about the clothes when you get the interview.

On that list, I'd bet my life savings (and anything I make in the future) that #6 (talking too fast) has cost me jobs.

And #10, of course. The vague "weird vibe" that people will cite.

Wait, I thought web developers were pole dancers...