graduates with asperegers forgotten

I was out of work for nearly a year and a half during the previous recession (around 1991-2).

Exactly the same problem occurred then. The skilled job areas dried up, with lots of sectors having massive lay-offs. But to get a less skilled job you had to compete with a larger number of people, and employers took a dim view of over-qualified people applying beneath them, not least as it was felt that they would leave for something better as soon as the job market improved.

The trouble is, then as I think still applies now, the DHSS/Benefits office insists you apply for jobs well down your skills level. I was even told to pretend I hadn't got my degree and PhD and to make up a story to cover the gaps resulting. This with the threat that if I didn't I'd lose benefit (and in consequence my mortgage insurance cover - that was a common leverage then).

The best advice is to aim a bit higher, because the numbers competing are fewer each level you go up.

I had considerable trouble being interviewed. My low self esteem really kicked in. I manage formal dialogue by play acting a bit, to hide the communication weaknesses. That's a disaster in interviews. I came out too assertive and bossy. Or else I fell apart  on questions about relating to others at work. That sort of thing tends to bring out body language deficiencies.

I was a job club champion, so got extended time, well over the normal 6 months on 6 months off. This is because I kept up the required rate of applications. But they were futile applications pitched well below my skills. They just annoyed employers. On the up side though, doing this kept me going. I became very good at making applications, and improving my case.

The trouble is, obviously, people on the spectrum lose out. They are too easily spotted as different at interview. That was a further reason for not applying well below my previous occupational background.

Unfiortunately the DHSS/Benefits system really does not understand disability. There are too many rules. In the early 90s thousands of graphics people were being layed off, partly due to the shift to digital. All they needed was retraining in computer graphics. All the Government would offer was training in basic office skills. Anyone going for any other training forfeited benefits.

What is now needed, in the current recession, is a case made for training to help unemployed disabled people find work. Unfortunately we are condemned never to be governed by anyone who actually knows anything about anything that matters.

I was out of work for nearly a year and a half during the previous recession (around 1991-2).

Exactly the same problem occurred then. The skilled job areas dried up, with lots of sectors having massive lay-offs. But to get a less skilled job you had to compete with a larger number of people, and employers took a dim view of over-qualified people applying beneath them, not least as it was felt that they would leave for something better as soon as the job market improved.

The trouble is, then as I think still applies now, the DHSS/Benefits office insists you apply for jobs well down your skills level. I was even told to pretend I hadn't got my degree and PhD and to make up a story to cover the gaps resulting. This with the threat that if I didn't I'd lose benefit (and in consequence my mortgage insurance cover - that was a common leverage then).

The best advice is to aim a bit higher, because the numbers competing are fewer each level you go up.

I had considerable trouble being interviewed. My low self esteem really kicked in. I manage formal dialogue by play acting a bit, to hide the communication weaknesses. That's a disaster in interviews. I came out too assertive and bossy. Or else I fell apart  on questions about relating to others at work. That sort of thing tends to bring out body language deficiencies.

I was a job club champion, so got extended time, well over the normal 6 months on 6 months off. This is because I kept up the required rate of applications. But they were futile applications pitched well below my skills. They just annoyed employers. On the up side though, doing this kept me going. I became very good at making applications, and improving my case.

The trouble is, obviously, people on the spectrum lose out. They are too easily spotted as different at interview. That was a further reason for not applying well below my previous occupational background.

Unfiortunately the DHSS/Benefits system really does not understand disability. There are too many rules. In the early 90s thousands of graphics people were being layed off, partly due to the shift to digital. All they needed was retraining in computer graphics. All the Government would offer was training in basic office skills. Anyone going for any other training forfeited benefits.

What is now needed, in the current recession, is a case made for training to help unemployed disabled people find work. Unfortunately we are condemned never to be governed by anyone who actually knows anything about anything that matters.