Does anyone else struggle finding a job?? Whenever I look up autistic friendly jobs, Web developer or computer engineer, or tech support stuff comes up. It feels really stereotypical. Like, not all of us are mathematical geniuses, or know how to work a damn computer.
I need a job, hell, I'm even struggling to get a job as a cleaner.
Can someone help me find one? All I have is an entry level 3 English and entry level 2 maths under my belt. I don't drive. I struggle with communication.
Absolutely, it is good to do this to have somework experience to put on your curriculum vitae. At an interview it is good to have work or worklike activiy to talk about rather than having gaps.
It is really difficult to get a job at the moment especially when it feels like the odds are stacked against us.
Before I was employed I was really worried about communication as well especially since I had no work experience whatsoever. I had a look for some volunteering work in order to get something under my belt. I ended up volunteering in a charity shop and still do now on the weekends. They normally always want new volunteers. The perk as well is a few of them in the UK have a few different roles you can work in, we have some people that come in and sort the clothes out upstairs and organise since they don't like to work on the counter. I opted to work on the shop floor to improve my social and communication skills and I really feel it helped me (everyone is different though and it might not be for you!) But its really handy because It can give you some experience first you can put down when you apply for things in the future and can help with skills.
Yes luck is important, being in the right place at the right time can make all the difference.
Ask at the job centre, national careers service or the organisation that did the entry levels, they should go up to level 2, it is a government target to provide free training in English and Maths upto level 2.
All I have is an entry level 3 English and entry level 2 maths under my belt. I don't drive. I struggle with communication.
Job hunting is easy, getting a paid job is hard.
Being objective, the English and Maths qualifications above are poor, you will need to improve on them. On that scale you will need proper level 2 in both.
For people who are unfamiliar with the scale, it is in order from low to high.
There are complaints in the media about the number of economically inactive working age people in the UK and suggestions that the Government will crack down on unemployed working age benefit recipients who they don't think are trying hard enough to get a job. But as you say (and I found out in the past) it can be difficult to get a job. Often interview candidates need to have the gift of the gab to secure the job.
Can someone help me find one? All I have is an entry level 3 English and entry level 2 maths under my belt. I don't drive. I struggle with communication.
What are your main areas of interest where you have knowledge (even if it is something rather random like Doctor Who) - that may help us come up with suggestions.
Other things to help us with suggestions are:
Are you OK working outdoors?
Are you physically fit enough for an active job?
You mention you struggle with communication - can you respond ok to fairly straightforward directions from a manager? Is it talking back that is the issue?
Are you OK learning things from a computer through a training course?
Are there ary other issues you have that would stop you from certain types of jobs? Allergic to animals for example, unable to walk long distances etc
With this we can suggest categories of jobs that may suit your preferences and abilities.
Hi NAS89250, I am sorry to hear that it's been a struggle to find a job. Our employment pages include information and advice on looking for an applying for a job. We also have a webpage offering information and support on in your rights at work, dealing with bullying and interacting and coping at work.
You can also find a free online ‘Finding Employment’ module on our website. This module is designed to help autistic job seekers entering the job market in understanding their strengths and what next steps they could take towards gaining meaningful employment or work.
Our Spectrum Live online series also features an episode discussing employment, this can be found here.
Evenbreak matches disabled job seekers with employers to build a diverse workforce. You can visit the Evenbreak website for listed job vacancies.
The British Association of Supported Employment (BASE), have a database of supported employment agencies, so you can search for one in your local area.
Maximus offer a range of employability programmes throughout the UK, Including, programmes for disabled people who are struggling to fine work.
Our current employment and volunteering opportunities with The National Autistic Society are listed on our vacancies page. We particularly welcome applications from autistic people.
I hope this information is helpful.
Best wishes,
Anna Mod
Yes I started looking for a job when I turned 18 (I'm 27 now!) and I still haven't got a job.
I decided to use my interests to my advantage and began writing and working on classic cars from home, which does actually bring in some profit, and I get to do it from home and enjoy it so it's really the best of both worlds for me.
the issue is that job hunting is a lottery, you have to understand there will be 1000 applicants for every job.... i picked that figure because where i work they advertised a job and it literally had 1000 applicants for that basic lowest level minimum wage hard graft job..... and thing is, its because everyone all over the world are applying for jobs here from abroad. you know what they did? instead of letting a local that needs the job get it, they awarded the job to a indian who applied from india and wasnt even in this country and had to wait for him to then come over... not fair isnt it? harms local peoples chances of jobs when people from all over the world all dog pile on our jobs from a distance. we need those jobs...
