A job for someone anti-social?

Oldernotwiser

You mention a partner; isn't s/he working?

Tarry

It may be worth a while contacting your local supermarket, it's going to get busy soon I think, so they may be wanting more staff. I believe Argos could be recruiting (I read in on here somewhere) ready for the Christmas rush, perhaps you could be "fetcher" or something in the storeroom (I don't know much about the ins and outs of Argos)

KatiBear

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

You mention a partner; isn't s/he working?

No he isn't at the moment, he got made redundant a few months back and still hasn't found somewhere to work, he does have a job interview soon and pretty much a guaranteed job at the royal mail this Christmas but that is temporary.

And I think even if he was working too that we still may not have enough income

cleopatra4485

KatiBear wrote: »

cleopatra4485, I never thought about doing an internship, although I just searched my area (cardiff) exactly what you put in the search and no results, typical

I also had put my design info up on gumtree before and also looked for jobs regarding design but most need qualifications or were a bit too in depth for me.

Shame. Though you could be proactive and write/email the companies who are advertising stating that you are willing to do an internship for the experience (with lunch and travel expenses covered) They will probabaly bite your hand off and then hopefully love your fantastic work and employ you. ya never know unless you try

Welshwoofs

Katibear - I do understand where you're coming from....

I can't stand dealing with the public. In my opinion, these days 'the public' are generally a load of unwashed, mouth-breathing, oxygen thieves. I would rather pull my own finger nails off than deal with 'the public'.

The Internet industry is a great thing to get into if you don't like dealing with that 'the public'. I started in a bottom rung job back in '96 as a night-shift team leader on a BT helpdesk for Internet issues and worked my way up. These days I work from home and sometimes venture out to speak at conferences. I earn a little more than £52k a year and I have no degree or formal qualifications past A Level, I just happen to be good at what I do...and I'm in a niche market.

If you are good at webslinging, then go for it. I'd also add that there's good freelance money to be made in SEO stuff too.

You really don't have to deal with 'the public' to have a good career!

Oldernotwiser

Welshwoofs wrote: »

You really don't have to deal with 'the public' to have a good career!

My reading of the OP's post was that it wasn't just the public she wanted to avoid working with but also colleagues, which would be far more difficult.

chinagirl

How about a spot of lighthouse keeping?

chaotic_j

Having been diagnosed with social anxiety in the past I know exactly how you feel. I have only had a couple of very short term jobs myself working for Royal Mail for two months one summer and three weeks working in a small shop.

I would actually recommend working for Royal Mail. The work can be physically demanding but if you can manage to deal with the banter from co-workers etc once you are out delivering mail you are pretty much left to your own devices. You say that your partner will be working there, perhaps you can also get some employment there and at least you won't be alone your partner will be there to offer a little support.

Currently I sell on eBay, I don't make an awful lot but I make enough. However this is something I've built up over the past few years. If you have some kind of a hobby or interest perhaps you can do the same? I have some telephone interaction with people, I can now converse on the telephone just fine where previously I used to be terrified of it and have to get someone else to deal with it for me. Most of my dealing with people bar the local Post Office is done via email.

I'd recommend taking things one small step at a time if you can, I used to be much worse in dealing with people and now I am a much more confident person. The fact is people aren't looking at you all of the time even though you might feel like they are, if you try and care a bit less about what other people think you will reap dividends.

If you have talent in web development, you should pursue this route, don't let yourself be held back. There are lots of companies and individuals crying out for people to develop websites for them that are of a good quality and at a fair price. You can tap into this market, do not underestimate your potential. I can see from your posts that you are an intelligent person - use that to your advantage, don't give up no matter how bleak things seem. There is always light at the end of the tunnel. You are not alone.

Hermia

whitewing wrote: »

Longer term, could you look into qualifying as a librarian? You would have to deal with people, but in a calmer environment than, for example, retail.

HA HA HA HA HA! I have been a librarian for 10 years. I have to...

1) Work with the public which requires a high-level of customer social skills. In a big library you will be dealing with many difficult customers. In a small library you may be on your own.
2) Run computer training courses every week and speak at conferences.
3) Visit 20 libraries and train the (often reluctant) staff.
4) Represent the library service on three working groups.
5) Negotiate with library suppliers.

Etc etc. It's one of the most people-orientated jobs you can have and the library environment is not a calm one anymore. Plus I think someone with social phobia would really struggle to get the qualifications (generally a post-graduate degree) which require courses that involve lots of interaction.

I think the ebay idea might be a good way for you just to earn a bit of extra money. I used to work as a chambermaid as a student and it didn't involve a great deal of social interaction.

I really think you need to sort out your problems though. My friend's husband has social phobia. His GP managed to get him a course of CBT and he joined a social phobia self-help group he found on the web. Meeting up with fellow sufferers really helped him. Whilst he still finds life a struggle he got a full-time job last year and is doing great.

DKLS

It might be worth speaking to your GP again, and asking for the contact details of your local IAPT service or sometimes called Low intensity CBT service, as sadly there is usually an up to 18 month waiting list to see a CBT therapist.