What to say when asked about employment?

I'm a volunteer coordinator for a local charity, (so I'm probably biased!) but I would recommend volunteering. My latest volunteer has Aspergers and to begin with he is helping out in an IT drop-in group, helping older people to get online, but I have another job in mind for him, helping us set up a database for a new food bank. He has volunteered previously with the NT and moved within the organisation to managing other volunteers and working with their database. He enjoyed it and found it very beneficial. But he isn't the only volunteer I have with Aspergers. Many don't say and I understand why, not wishing to be put into any kind of box, perhaps unsure of the reaction, but we treat each volunteer as an individual and try to ensure everyone has a role they enjoy and gain benefit from. And for most volunteers, it is the social side of the role that they are looking for, whether they have just retired from work or their kids have just started school. 

The are so many volunteering roles out there - within our own charity it could be cooking for the cafe, serving, teaching IT, helping in craft groups, working in the gardens, helping school children to garden, working on our website, producing the newsletter, leading walks, supporting young mums, research, fundraising,... the list is extensive and I am always willing to look at setting up a new group if I have a volunteer who comes to make a suggestion. Currently, I am looking to set up a social art group for people with Aspergers who are feeling isolated, as I have had several requests for this. 

When a new volunteer comes to me I start by asking what their interests are. I show them what we do and usually there is something that sparks their interest. And if you decide it's not for you, that's fine! It is worth trying. It will show you what you don't enjoy at the very least and may point you in another direction. So you don't have to be sure that you'll like it before you start. Set a time limit if you like - and tell the organisation that you are trying it for 6 weeks. 

It doesn't have to tie you down either. I have volunteers who come in 2 or 3 times a week and some that come once a month - or even less. It is up to you. 

And it's good on a CV. We do put volunteers on training courses as well which can help them to find work - and many of them have gone on to find work. I am happy to be a reference on a CV for a volunteer I have worked with, which can be useful to them too. 

I'm a volunteer coordinator for a local charity, (so I'm probably biased!) but I would recommend volunteering. My latest volunteer has Aspergers and to begin with he is helping out in an IT drop-in group, helping older people to get online, but I have another job in mind for him, helping us set up a database for a new food bank. He has volunteered previously with the NT and moved within the organisation to managing other volunteers and working with their database. He enjoyed it and found it very beneficial. But he isn't the only volunteer I have with Aspergers. Many don't say and I understand why, not wishing to be put into any kind of box, perhaps unsure of the reaction, but we treat each volunteer as an individual and try to ensure everyone has a role they enjoy and gain benefit from. And for most volunteers, it is the social side of the role that they are looking for, whether they have just retired from work or their kids have just started school. 

The are so many volunteering roles out there - within our own charity it could be cooking for the cafe, serving, teaching IT, helping in craft groups, working in the gardens, helping school children to garden, working on our website, producing the newsletter, leading walks, supporting young mums, research, fundraising,... the list is extensive and I am always willing to look at setting up a new group if I have a volunteer who comes to make a suggestion. Currently, I am looking to set up a social art group for people with Aspergers who are feeling isolated, as I have had several requests for this. 

When a new volunteer comes to me I start by asking what their interests are. I show them what we do and usually there is something that sparks their interest. And if you decide it's not for you, that's fine! It is worth trying. It will show you what you don't enjoy at the very least and may point you in another direction. So you don't have to be sure that you'll like it before you start. Set a time limit if you like - and tell the organisation that you are trying it for 6 weeks. 

It doesn't have to tie you down either. I have volunteers who come in 2 or 3 times a week and some that come once a month - or even less. It is up to you. 

And it's good on a CV. We do put volunteers on training courses as well which can help them to find work - and many of them have gone on to find work. I am happy to be a reference on a CV for a volunteer I have worked with, which can be useful to them too. 

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I appreciate your post.  And I am currently registered with my local citywide charity coordinator.  Where I state my interests and experience and the type of roles I'm looking for.  

So far no concrete leads, last month one charity invited me to an informal interview and we both agreed I was unsuitable.  It was to provide emotional help and support to parents with problem children under the age of seven.

The latest  ones to  contact me are the RSPCA.

Most still require references and DBS checks.