Never had a job and I feel resigned to the idea that I never will. I seem to be unemployable

CakeCrusader

Ok.



Have you ever heard of the Disability Discrimination Act? It means employers (and schools/colleges) can't discriminate based on your ASD, and they have to give you support. If you're looking for a job which asks for communication skills, these may not necessarily be face to face communication skills, they can be written, or on the phone, so eye contact may not be that important.



The National Autistic Society have a helpline where you can get advice and support, their details are here; http://www.autism.org.uk/get-involved/about-us/contact-us.aspx They also have a jobs section here too; https://www.jobtrain.co.uk/nas/



You really do have a lot of skills. You write really well, and I bet you have a keen eye for detail, so keep looking! The right employer will cherish you

suki1964

christaitfife wrote: »

I work for a company that processes fresh veg. We employ all types of people and if someone in your circumstance was to demonstrate a willingness to work and would be willing to stand doing repetitive work for 8 - 12 hours a day we would give you a job.Our factory is cold, wet, face paced and you get paid minimum wage. It isn't great but there are prospects to progress (I've had people step up to £9.50 p/h within a few months).

Asperger's is a non-issue with us, and others in the industry will be the same.

Now, we are quite far from where you live and I only use my organisation as an example. There are lots of places around the UK just like ours - you will find a job if you know where to look.

If you want a couple of agency names - pm me and I will send them. i'm not sure what contracts they have where you are, but there might be something. Of course agency work is zero-hours, but it might be a good way to getting into work.

I know it is easy to put yourself down, but don't. You will 100% be able to get into work.

I was going to say the same, its the job Im doing at the moment and it really suits me as I have Aspergers and don't get the social interaction thing either

Any factory work where you are on the line would be a good starting point, you are so busy keeping up, theres no time to chat with co workers or its so noisy you need ear defenders so you cant chat

I solve the break issue by going after everyone else explaining I find the noise too much and that I prefer to read, which I do. My fellow workers have sussed theres something "strange" about me but they treat me the same as anyone else.

Factory work isn't glamorous and is usually NMW , and in many cases its cold, wet, heavy and repetitive If you can cope with that then you usually have a job for as long as you want as it really does take anti social people to stick it imo. I took this job as holiday cover last June and Im still there

There is work out there for you if you are brave enough to take that leap

amandacat

Have you looked into free employability courses offered by local charities or training providers? These can be really useful and cover really useful things, some include trial work placements and many people get jobs off the back of them.

I can’t recommend anywhere as don’t know where you’re based but if you google free adult employability courses and your area, this should bring up some options.

NeilCr

I don't know where you live but my area has a volunteer Bureau which has a (long) list of opportunities. There are some that could be done mainly on your own - for example, they are looking for coastal wardens to have responsibility for their own area of coastline

seven-day-weekend

If there is a CAP (Christians Against Poverty) Job Club in your area, I can thoroughly recommend it. I volunteered at one for three years and we helped many people who had difficulties with employment in one way or another.

They are not just for Christians, they are for anyone, whether you have any sort of faith or none. You are under no obligation to attend any religious functions.

They will help you to construct a CV. You will find you have more transferable skills than you thought . They will help with interview skills. They will also help you find a suitable volunteering post if this is what you want, as a first step to employment. You will have a dedicated Job Coach who you will speak to on a one-to-one basis.

Check if there is one in your area:

https://capuk.org/i-want-help/our-services/cap-job-clubs/introduction

polgara

UnemployableUKchap wrote: »

I have been discouraged from applying for jobs as I invariably find the job description mentions skills that I haven't got (and will never have). There are a few that come up frequently which include " candidate must have great communication skills", "must work well in a team" or "must have excellent people skills". I am the antithesis of each of those skills. To start with, I struggle with understanding social cues and norms which most people seem to inherently know. A few examples include knowing when it's my turn to speak during conversations, maintaining eye contact and knowing how close to stand to someone while interacting with them. I usually stand as far away as possible, particularly if I don't know someone. I will also avoid making eye contact as much as possible as it makes me nervous. I come across as being awkward, aloof and lacking in empathy. An example would be if I encountered someone who was obviously in a state of distress about something. It's not that I don't feel any compassion, I just wouldn't know what to say. I also speak very quietly and have been told I have a monotone voice, which means one lacking in expression or emotion. I have read that these are common characteristics of people with Aspergers or autism.

Go to the job centre, ask for advice, look at production line/packing/warehouse jobs as a first step

Regarding jobs and volunteering, I can only imagine doing something that requires minimal social interaction with members of the public. That is what I have been trying to find. Doing any kind of customer-facing job would be impossible for me. If I was working in a retail position for example, I would be scared every time a customer approached me. It just wouldn't work. I would end up getting fired or quitting on the first day.

Get in touch with Volunteering matters to find something suitable or try your local hospital trust as they will have volunteers in all sorts of roles.

Also, someone asked if I have a CV. I know what a CV is but I don't have one. I would have very little to put on it, so it would essentially amount to little more than a blank piece of paper.

Look online - there are basic CV templates out there - put your qualifications and interests...make a start!

I wouldn't know where to start. I also don't know what to wear for an interview. I am not a scruff, but I have no idea about fashion. I've never owned or worn a suit.

a basic shirt and black trousers will do - you can even order them online so you don't have to deal with shop assistants

lufcgirl

I would be looking at an apprenticeship.

Earning £3.70 per hour and going to college while you learn is a great way to meet new people and also learn a trade. It's better than what you are doing now and opens up a whole world for you upon completion - it'll give you a new purpose. All you need are English and Maths GCSE C or above.

I'm an internal recruiter for a national company, and have opportunities for apprenticeship roles across the UK - if you'd like to explore it further then PM me and we can see if we can help you.

Smodlet

Thank you for coming back to us, UKChap. I refuse to use the rest of your chosen username as I don't believe it is true. You have written communication skills at least as good as mine and I think your English might be better!

What do you think of polgara's suggestion about packing or warehouse work? My next door neighbour works nights in a warehouse and I think he goes hours without speaking to anyone unless he makes a point of going over to them. It might be a good place to start.

I agree customer facing roles are not for everyone but communicating via email should be right up your street, I would have thought. There must be jobs out there you can do and everyone else on here except you seems to agree. I wish you all the luck in the world, I really do and please go and talk to the job centre and the DWP as soon as you can. I think you make the initial claim online for JSA/ESA these days but am not sure if you have to go to the job centre first. Shortcrust probably knows.

You have so much to offer. You do know employers lament the woeful standard of literacy and numeracy in school leavers, don't you? They would have nothing but praise for your literacy, certainly. How is your maths? Good, I'll bet. I think the book keeping course suggestion could work well for you. How about it? Heck, you could find yourself being an accountant one day. They can make shed-loads of money.

I look forward to hearing you have made a claim, found a job and are seeking advice on renting your own place very soon. Please do not be nervous about communicating with us. I think you have received nothing but encouragement and helpful suggestions, don't you? Chin up! You can do this and we will be here to listen and help you along. And please stop reading the Daily Wail, OK? :cool:

ETA: If you do nothing else today, please PM lufcgirl. Who knows? Posting on here could be the best thing you have ever done... It will not be the best thing you ever will do because you have a world of opportunity out there and even a recruiter thinks so.

TBagpuss

I have been discouraged from applying for jobs as I invariably find the job description mentions skills that I haven't got (and will never have). There are a few that come up frequently which include " candidate must have great communication skills", "must work well in a team" or "must have excellent people skills". I am the antithesis of each of those skills. To start with, I struggle with understanding social cues and norms which most people seem to inherently know. A few examples include knowing when it's my turn to speak during conversations, maintaining eye contact and knowing how close to stand to someone while interacting with them. I usually stand as far away as possible, particularly if I don't know someone. I will also avoid making eye contact as much as possible as it makes me nervous. I come across as being awkward, aloof and lacking in empathy. An example would be if I encountered someone who was obviously in a state of distress about something. It's not that I don't feel any compassion, I just wouldn't know what to say. I also speak very quietly and have been told I have a monotone voice, which means one lacking in expression or emotion. I have read that these are common characteristics of people with Aspergers or autism.

I think some of these are things which can be learned, up to a point. If you do contact the job centre and start a claim for ESA you could raise them - for instnace, if you were given guidance "stand around 2 feet away from other people in most situations" is that something you could remember and put in place? (also, for that one, watch the other person. If someone takes a step back or is leaning away, you are probably too close. It they are consistently leaning forward then they would probably be comfortable if you were closer (but it is OK for you to be comfortable further away!)

There are lots of jobs which don't require you to work in a team, and it is worth bearing in mind that even if it has that in the job description, it isn't necessarily true (for instance, I suspect you would find those sorts of statements in job ads for most supermarkets, but if the actual work you are doing is over night stocking, or picking goods for on-line orders, you would actually be working by yourself most of the time.

And depending on your skills, interests and willingness to try for further training there may be all sorts of opportunitis out there.

This article, for instnace - https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/oct/09/autism-working-spectrum-capable-employees-talent, and the 'autismWorks' website or https://www.vercida.com/uk/articles/jobs-and-careers-for-autistic-people might be good places for you to start, and to look for further support.

poppellerant

@UnemployableUKchap, I think you need to build a network. You can do this by volunteering and being friendly with people. These people might know people or organisations who can help you.

You mention your parents are coming to retirement age. Without wanting to sound pessimistic, what will you do when they pass away? This is why you need to start the ball rolling for your benefits and NI contributions. You may find that as you receive assistance on benefits, your network opens up a little further.

Good luck!