Finally got what I was after! (Relates to Asperger's Syndrome).

wantsajob

If you are a regular and avid reader of this forum, you may well be familiar with my 'moans' about the difficulty involved in finding a job, how crap life is, etc. Also that I attributed this largely to difficulties at interview due to a disability called Asperger's Syndrome (AS), which is a form of Autism that affects social interaction.

Firstly a brief overview of things to now. Left school due to bullying without sitting GCSE exams. On the advice of Connexions, went to some vocational training courses. These had mixed end results. The first I was referred back due to difficulties securing a placement, the second the assessor was off long-term sick and I could not see any progression and quit. Another I quit as it was not challenging and quite boring, with no feedback or support offered, and another I didn't bother turning up to as I could tell it would be like the other I left. It's worth bearing in mind my mental state at this time, bullying and other life events led me to be rather depressed

Eventually I went to college, did GCSEs then A levels, then went to university and achieved a first class honours degree in 2005. In the hope it would help me get somewhere in terms of finding work, I studied for a masters for which I graduated in 2008. Unfortunately this only left me with a Career Development Loan that I was unable to pay off.

My only experience of work to date has been voluntarily for two organisations, and a paid job in a cake factory manually pressing a mould onto icing. There was no interview for this, just a check you were a human being and eligible to work in the UK etc. I left as I found the work very tiring, I was getting repetitive strain injury, and the line manager seemed to take a dislike to me, so I left after 2 weeks. At present I am 32, and the above pretty much covers all my employment and education history.

Well I had an interview for a job within Civil Service some months ago. I was unsuccessful, and feedback indicated this was mostly due to lack of evidence of team work skills, and in managing work. Both manifestations of my disability, in addition to the difficulties this poses in 'selling myself' at interview, compared with an individual without my disability.

I wrote an email to the Diversity Officer in the organisation, in short saying the above, and asking if work experience might be possible. Some time later I was offered work experience on an unpaid basis for 4 weeks. It seems I managed to sufficiently impress, and I have been offered a one year contract. From what I can tell the Diversity Officer has a great deal of influence, and has contacts with people in various departments who are positive about disability.

It's strange to know that past experience shows me I don't stand a chance at interview for most minimum wage jobs out there, because of my difficulties at interview. Yet OTOH I have managed to secure a relatively skilled job, with an adequate wage which will see my student loan begin to be paid off. Furthermore the job itself I enjoy, even if I find interactions within the office itself somewhat taxing, and the buzz from the fluorescent lighting somewhat irritating at times. I genuinely can't imagine me enjoying anything more. It seems the email paid off.

While I am posting about my fortunate success, I am mindful of the extreme difficulties people with AS face in securing, as well as keeping, employment. The statistics do show that people with AS are particularly disadvantaged when it comes to employment. This ONS report http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/lmac/people-with-disabilities-in-the-labour-market/2011/rpt-people-with-disabilities-in-the-labour-market.html#tab-Just-under-1-in-every-2-disabled-people-in-employment highlights how type of disability greatly affects employment prospects. Estimates of employment rates specifically for people with AS are generally unreliable due to poor methodology, and vary greatly. This interesting 2010 article by the Guardian on AS and employment http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/mar/16/aspergers-syndrome-employment-problems hints at employment rates of between 3 and 25 per cent. This certainly puts AS at the bottom of the scale on the second graph shown in the ONS report linked to above, suggesting people with AS find it particularly difficult to get a job. This is not far from surprising to me. I certainly know how difficult it is out there, particularly in these times when it's difficult for even the average person to get a job.

I have been to numerous places to seek assistance in my quest to secure employment. Primarily including the JCP Disability Employment Advisor and Remploy. I found one of the Remploy staff had a somewhat dismissive and discriminatory attitude, which quite surprised me. The whole set-up seemed like a Work Programme, with a little more impetus behind it due to companies approaching them specifically to recruit people with disabilities. Unfortunately this provided only some practical help in terms of filling in application forms for other jobs, and considering interview questions and the like. The last thing the DEA suggested was a residential training course, which I personally did not consider appropriate, but to be fair to her I think she was struggling for ideas and had little resources available to her.

In any case, hopefully a year's contract is a foot in the door. I wish I had more power to help those who find themselves in the position I was. Unfortunately all I can do is share my story of what got me in without an interview.

I guess there needs to be some caution with my approach though. If people with AS suddenly start sending emails of complaint as a response to failure to secure a job after interview, this will undoubtedly make the majority of employers think negatively about AS in general and not want to bother with people with the condition. Why bother with people who are going to complain and make life difficult at the first possible opportunity?! It might also be possible to get a black mark next to your name. For example, I tried similar with another Civil Service department, whom had previously said they would suggest keeping my details on file for future similar positions. Such a position came up, I applied and my application was taken no further - although on this occasion I did not tick the guaranteed interview scheme box. I assume I must have 'rubbed them up the wrong way'. So this approach can definitely work against, as well as potentially for you. Sadly I suspect it's most likely to work against.

Anyway, I guess that's all I have to say. Thanks for reading, and hopefully I can last out the contract and beyond.

kelpie35

Well done :j

Hope you continue to enjoy your job and it leads to a longer contract.

heartbreak_star

I'm so pleased for you - well done and good luck

HBS x

halight

Well done:j:j

V_Chic_Chick

Congratulations - now you've got some real work experience, it should be a lot easier to find more work in the future, as and when the contract ends

nikki702

Congratulations

patman99

Top job that person. I don't know if you watched C4's program entitled 'Maddest job interview in the world' last week (should be available on 4OD). At the beginning of the process, the 3 company bosses had a really negative attitude towards people with mental health issues (I suffer from depression, so took a great interest in it).

During the whole program the 3 bosses had no idea which (if any) of the 8 candidates had M/H issues and which didn't. The 3 candidates they picked to be the ones they would have employed if they were recruiting for real all had M/H problems. The bosses' attitude in the end was that they were very shocked at their own prejudice towards mentally ill candidates.
Really does make for interesting viewing.

haycorns

very pleased for you . Well done for keep trying and finding different approaches as doors seemed to close.

Keep us posted as to how you get on.

gallygirl

Well done - great that your initiative paid off :T

Wellery82

Well done, it is great to hear when someone keeps a positive outlook and tries new ways to get employment. I hope the new job goes really well

Terrysdelight

Fantastic - well done. It's great you shared this story with this forum - there are many people who will take encouragement from your story. My son and my nephew have ASD and I worry so much for their future.

Well done again - all the best.