Problems getting a job due to SA?

[NightTimeForever]

And by "problems" I mean, nearly completely avoiding interacting with people so as to extremely minimize your chances of getting a job? I have a bank account cushioned with money piled up from student loans to keep me financially secure for a while, but I don't want to continue that path in the future. In this economy, my best bet would be to aggressively look for a job, but I just can't seem to get over the hurdle of this social anxiety. Thoughts?

 

[skins]

i've struggled with this for many years, sadly i think the only solution is to get on a dissability support pension for debilitating anxiety...my latest strategy has been to try and start a small business so that i could work for myself...but all i have been met with is minimal profits, and ridicule from family members who don't take it seriously. I have tried the employment route for many years and only one job lasted which i regretably gave in after 4 years (was my first real job so i wondered about the grass being greener on the other side). since this time every job has been met with failure after a short time, of which i can put down to SA indirectly as being the culprit.

 

[mikebird]

Yep

Either way

I've dug myself into a hole of rejection, or recruiters / employers have done it for me and themselves

I haven't given up
But if I did, not sure if it'd be beneficial

I have borderline social ability, but I am confused why having to get married at 18 and have 16 children at least, and a big holiday every quarter with your own private company, Rolls Royces. many houses and buy several LearJets, racetracks, racehorses and oil rigs are required. I thought 'a job' would be allowed if you could DO THAT JOB and nothing else

Evidence has shown me that all you have to do it smoke a lot of cigarettes and drink a lot and smile and giggle 24/7 - otherwise you're useless

Yep - all the glamour and bits & bobs go with it
Don't mind getting dirty in a field

My best on the horizon is a meeting next week with a charity who needs a database developer. This will be a voluntary job which I haven't thought of yet. I took a bike ride to be sure of where this place is on the map. It's an old folks' home with was constructed a couple of years ago, looking really quality with a big capacity, and a big garden in need of finishing / maintenance, which I wouldn't mind doing either. I want to be recognised for my skills and see if I can manage not to be fired for the first time

 

[lonelee1]

i have to start looking for a job. i already feel the anxiety when i imagine working with people. i'm gonna start reading some books or something to have stuff to talk about. what do people talk about????? i hate living sometimes.

 

[jaim38]

^Yeah, I usually listen to people talking about whatever but don't have much to contribute to discussions, unless I prepared some talking points beforehand.

And by "problems" I mean, nearly completely avoiding interacting with people so as to extremely minimize your chances of getting a job? I have a bank account cushioned with money piled up from student loans to keep me financially secure for a while, but I don't want to continue that path in the future.

I don't recommend doing this. Students loans are one of the worst kind of loans you can borrow. It's hard to discharge during bankruptcy, and it can stay with you permanently.

No matter how hard it is, finding a job is better than borrowing student loans forever (is there even a limit to how much you can borrow? Just curious).

 

[Richey]

You also need to look into which work environment will suit your strengths the best. you know. Some places that have alot of egos around will be challenging to perform in, especially if the work is fast paced and you have to just adapt and learn, you will make mistakes and you will be told to perform etc, you can do your best but is the environment a match? ask yourself that as well. It's something you can never really know until you start at a place, but perhaps the actual role itself can give you strength instead so it makes it easier to cope with the other staff and customers.

 

[Saraswati]

I'm still a student, having an on and off job I got because of a reccommendation by my mother. It's an easy job and I don't have to deal with people a lot. It is also my first one.
The problem is that this job ends in a month and I'm really scared about what happens next. I have no special skills that would enable me to find a job. I have no experience whatsoever so I won't even be able to apply. Also, having social phobia, working with people is currently out of league.
Thinking about this is only making my depression worse ><
I have things that are of interest to me but I can't get myself to go to courses for them....

If you have social phobia, I think the best way to deal with this is to overcome it or endure it and make it easier for yourself. That means finding a job that won't require being in touch with people a lot. So you can start something yourself, work with/for the people you know and are comfortable with or work from home. Making it easier also includes finding something that you are good at - you will be more confident that way.

 

[awkwardamanda]

Yeah, that's exactly my problem. I worked in retail while I was in school and then stayed there for far too long afterward because I dreaded looking for a new job. Fortunately I didn't have student loans. I paid for school since I was working and my parents helped out. My store ended up closing and now I'm trying to find something outside of retail and it's hell. I was able to save up a fair amount of money even working minimum wage, but I don't want to use it all up being unemployed. Having an education doesn't even matter these days. Everybody wants experience, so there isn't much I can even apply for. I'm also very limited due to social awkwardness/introversion/avoidance. Despite my retail experience, I don't want a customer service job. If I have to spend most of my day on the phone, I will get anxious. And so many jobs call for someone who is outgoing and has strong interpersonal skills so forget that. I know I would either be miserable doing or simply fail at a job like that. It's not worth applying and if I did I wouldn't get hired anyway. I need a job where I can work mostly alone, or maybe closely with one or two other people. I can not do a job that requires me to be bubbly and friendly. People with poor social skills are at a huge disadvantage.:sad:

 

[this_portrait]

I think my SA shows itself in job interviews, so that may be why I've missed out on a lot of opportunities, but mostly, I worry that I'm not making a good impression at the jobs I do get because I'm quiet and don't act anywhere near as chipper as others. If anything, it probably impacts my being able to move up the ladder or (in the case of temp jobs) establish connections.

 

[BigJoe82]

i can't think of any job i could ever do with my anxiety. i am afraid of driving, public transport well there goes 99% of any job i could possibly get. i guess i'll live off my social security for the rest of my life. i don't live alone i luckily have a brother that helps me out.

 

[NightTimeForever]

I have to call the local park district manager today and ask for an interview, the last time I called she was gruff with me and told me to call on the 1st when they started hiring. I don't have a positive feeling about this.

 

[mixedupgirl]

i have to start looking for a job. i already feel the anxiety when i imagine working with people. i'm gonna start reading some books or something to have stuff to talk about. what do people talk about????? i hate living sometimes.

Yeah this is me too, I need to find a job as well but I keep worrying about the social interactions and what I'm gunna say... for me it's never the job I fear always the lunch breaks where people tend to socialise....which is what "normal" people look forward to.

I was watching a video on youtube recently that pointed out how we can always think of lots of things to say in situations but whatever pops in to our heads we are always talking ourselves out of saying it as we think its not interesting enough or good enough. But the vid was saying that we should just say what comes to mind as its better then not saying anything.
Not always easy when anxiety makes your mind go blank I know...