Job Searching, Interviews and Rejection

I have, a long time ago. I was leaving university in the 1990s, and set out into the world with high aspirations as to what would be my first job, After lots of rejections (mainly applications that weren't even acknowledged), I eventually stumbled on a job that was only ever a stop gap. It worked, I moved onto better jobs, and although I don't directly use my degree for work, I doubt I would have been able to move into what I do now without a degree of some sort. So my advice, based on my experience, is that how you feel now is completely understandable, but it will probably work out fine in the end. When it comes to interviews, the best advice I ever got, which kind of relates to my diagnosis, was at the end of day one of a two day interview process when the recruiter said 'tomorrow, I want to see the real you, I really want to see what drives you'. I thought I had been doing that, but I made a huge effort to be mega enthusiastic about the job (which I was, but it apparently hadn't been coming across). I got the job because I really went out of what I felt was my comfort zone. There was obviously a gap between what I was saying and feeling, and what the panel were picking up.

I understand you very much; I was in the same situation.  After spending 5 years on training, I can't get a job.  I have had many interviews, but everyone needs work experience, and I have no work experience.  But my friend, who graduated from electrician courses, has a lot of work experience.  So I decided to take advantage of his offer and online training www.vocationaltraininghq.com/.../.  So I became a specialist in another field, and I got a job.  Try to reconsider your priorities; maybe it's for the best that you are not hired!

I was just wondering if they were similar or in different fields.

we only have the Open university in common.

BA Sociology (Anglia University)

BSc Psychology (Open University)

MSc Applied Psychology (University of Cranfield)

Why?

Only three!

What are the titles and where did you get them from?

Yes. Over a thousand failed job applications in my life. Three degrees got me nowhere and so I am a self-employed gardener. I'm 60 in three months so nothing is going to change now. Oh well...

Eccentric1lyneevren As someone who has not had much success on the job front, it's even harder for those who are non-graduates (didn't go to College or University) or graduates at college level only. You will never find the perfect job unless you discover an employer who has had autism training, is autism friendly and is more than willing to make the necessary adjustments for you without increasing operating or staff costs.  Employers are becoming ever more strict and specific with their requirements and expectations, I've had many an interview since I was 16 and failed most of them.

Started volunteering as an admin assistant at my late mum's work for a year before gaining paid employment, working a call centre for nearly 5 years - worst job ever by the way! Was made redundant for a little while then I worked in the office of a hospital ward which I loved but it was only a 6 month temporary contract. I managed to continue volunteering but this time, it was in another office of a different hospital, stayed for nearly 7 years when I was forced to stop and change career path so decided to give IT a go.  I had always wanted to follow my dad into IT when I was much younger but back then I didn't know how.  Spent 3 years at college doing 2 NQ Digital Media courses followed by HNC Computer Networking which then led to graduation at HNC level. 

I applied for various computing jobs and IT assistant jobs but no luck at all, so had to change career path again - this time to retail.  Volunteered with my local BHF shop and I loved it although there were a few nerve wracking times but that's life in retail I suppose. Spent nearly 3 years with BHF until moving closer to family then continued to volunteer albeit with a different charity and I'm still doing just that.  There's still no success with interviews in retail where I am now and there's very little support here too. To matters worse, one of the the Jobcentre Plus staff I see seems to enjoy sneering and smirking at me, it's infuriating and intimidating to say the least.

I'm having to resign myself to being on benefits for the rest of my life despite the fact that I hate it. I seriously struggle socialising because it gives me severe anxiety. Why can't employers ignore the social skills and focus on everything else? This way I'm pretty sure more autistic people would find employment.

I don't know whether it's me that's just not had much good luck or is this just an autistic thing?

My latest employment advisor said that your professional skills, knowledge and experience matter less than being likable and someone you want to work alongside.

The interview is nothing more than a farce as a rule. Your professional skills are more important. If you want to work in a serious company and get a decent salary, of course. I've always dreamed of working as a firefighter, but when applying for a job, I failed tests several times. Then I found materials for training firefighters on firerecruitmentaustralia.com.au and carefully studied everything . On the third attempt, I still got this workplace. Therefore, first of all, I advise you to carefully study what you plan to do and, of course, do not get upset because of a bad interview.

Yeah most of us on the spectrum have these issues. I feel like I went and did the wrong corse at college and feel like I've wasted my life. I partly blame my parents for pushing me into doing courses like agriculture and chefing when really they weren't suitable envriments. My skills lie in art and creativity but I was always told my parents there's no money to made in art but ironically I'm now makiya bit off it but not enough to make a living. I feel like if I had done art at college and a digree in it I may of been able to better myself my industry. I'm just pissed off and board with being unemployed and feel like everyone hates you for being unemployed cause society dictates to us to work. It brings me down too as I feel people don't get the severity of my conditions and how it impacts my life either. 

I’m 32 years old and I didn’t know what I wanted to do until last year I think a lot of people are the same my granddad always said once you’re in a job and you enjoy it stay in that in job 

https://www.autism.org.uk/products/core-nas-publications/finding-work-digital-workbook.aspx 

• Have a look at this link. It's a really good booklet about finding work. Includes information about and examples of a disclosure letter. This can make the interview process easier as it allows you to provide a potential employer with an understanding of any interview requirements you may have. 
• Disclosure is an individual choice which can help improve your chances of success in an interview.

Hope this helps you!

i always considered a job interview to be a performance - I would play the part of their perfect candidate - they were just gate-keepers preventing me seeing what the job was really all about - and in my experience, the advert and the job realty rarely match up.   All I had to do was convince these people to let me see the real job and it would then put the ball into my court to decide if I wanted to do the job.

The whole thing was just about extending my mask into a high-energy, interactive nice chap for an hour or so - which was very tiring but worth the effort.

I don't know your background and how much prep you have done in regards to identifying your weaknesses in regards to the application process, as well as overcoming these, but the situation you're in is common. If you look at the statistics in this area autistic graduates are more likely to be over educated and underemployed. The reason for this is they tend to stay within their comfort zone and bury their head studying qualification after qualification, rather than giving the same time and dedication to developing their workplace skills. 

For example, my husband is an engineer and works in this field as a senior manager. As NAS62563 has pointed out, as the hiring manager he his looking for a good communicator, therefore, social skills are more important than higher level academic qualifications. As although engineers spend a lot of time coming up with solutions to problems,  in his area their role also involves project managing other people to ensure their ideas come to fruition. This may involve instructing welders, fitters or working with external companies who have specialist skills. 

I used to be terrible at job interviews, especially pre-diagnosis. Now I know what I struggle with and have put strategies in place to become a better communicator my pass rate for interviews is extremely high. You might need to make a few tweaks to your technique but I'm sure you'll get there!

I love your last sentence. finding it out took me years of searching, because the bosses do not tell you the truth when they fire you.

It took me 18 months to find a graduate job, post University and 25 years before the flag of Asperger's was raised.  I was luckily in a part time job throughout which helped demonstrate I could hold down a job as well as having money coming in.

You could also try somewhere like Remploy, University Careers Department and/or Job Centre network for help with CV/interview techniques.

Good luck.

You can keep trying and yes I'm in a similar situation. I stayed on at school for 2 years, went to college for 1 year then university for 5 years to study for a Masters degree in engineering. I excel in qualifications and intelligence but I have applied for over 100 jobs this year and only been given two interviews which I failed. I get the impression that most companies favour social skills above all else and this was basically confirmed when others from my university class that only completed the ordinary 3 year degree were offered a job over me with a masters. I have had employment before but both jobs basically ended after arguments which I believe were related to my autism. I have also found that bosses do not like you to speak up or be more intelligent than them

Hi, Not yet but have a feeling I may have some difficulty following a disciplinary, thats another story.

I have sought advice from my Union and found them very helpful for job application interview technique and CV writing. My attitude is if they don't want me its their loss I know I am good at my job so stuff um.

Is it your first interview in a long time? If so keep trying... Seek advice re interview technique  CVs and applications.

you have clearly worked hard to get your qualification don't let all that hard work go to waste over one rejection, I know its hard as  we can be very black and white in our thinking but try to look at it as a learning experience and move forward.

Not sure if this is any help..