Asperger's Syndrome Vlog - Job Hunting & Job Interviews

[@Peter-GG]

Wow, this video really hits home. Yes, all the awkward interpersonal stuff that goes into applying for jobs, all the waiting and unpredictability and "putting oneself out there" is just brutal for someone with Aspergers (it certainly has been for me!) Thankfully right now while I'm still a graduate student, I have a part time job working night shifts at a porter's desk in a student residence. The best part is the very little social interaction necessary (and the reading and schoolwork I can get done)! But I'm really dreading having to find a job after I have my degree. Thanks a lot for the tips!

[@mandyslittlelife]

Landon Gavin Glad you could relate. I wish there was more help for high-functioning autistics when it comes to job-hunting, I know I could use the help, even if it is just guidance about where and how to apply.

[@FirstmaninRome]

Sooo me, great video.

[@mandyslittlelife]

mithra73 Thanks, glad you could relate :) If I do get a part-time job I'll probably be talking a lot more about work issues!

[@tauntonlake]

I didn't get my "choice" job after the interview, because I failed at the eye contact bit. I spoke well, tried to be intelligent, friendly and sociable, but I got the negative feedback from the headhunter who sent me on the interview, a couple of days later, after she spoke with the corporate interviewer, and got some "confidential" post-interview feedback for me. I was crushed, because I left the interview thinking I did really well, but apparently, my perception of myself was way off. I was aware of my own eye contact, and tried to maintain it; , but answering questions directly, and making eye contact at the same time, is extremely hard for me, and I don't realize I'm not looking at the interviewer while I'm speaking to them. Another comment I received was, that I had "no enthusiasm" for the position, which floored me. I didn't realize that my "resting bitchface", somewhat slack facial expression, was coming across big time. I need to make a real effort to smile a lot more, and engage the interviewer better. yet another comment I got was, that I seemed to know nothing about the job I was interviewing for .. which also floored me, because I had researched the company ahead of time, ad thought I was so well prepared for any questions. Apparently, I bombed at this interview, that I thought I had done wonderful at .
So . What I need to work on, as an Aspie interviewee:
1) Maintain eye contact, without creepy staring, but speak and maintain eye contact at the same time.
2) Research the position ahead of time, and talk enthusiastically and intelligently about it.
3) Watch videos on interview, to see HOW IT IS DONE :) Mimic social behavior.
4) SMILE. :)
5) Engage the interviewer in conversation..
Aspegers sucks, as far as trying to navigate the human world and all its rules. :(

[@mandyslittlelife]

+tauntonlake Yeah, it is pretty sad all the stuff we Aspies have to think hard about that neurotypicals just take for granted and probably don't even consider. I always worry about the eye contact thing. Am I doing too much? Too little? How am I supposed to know? I do think I'm actually pretty good at mimicking social behavior and I do fairly well at job interviews, but I have a hard time keeping it up long term, so I often feel like they think I'm actually more socially adept than I really am after meeting me. That bums me out because sometimes I feel like I am a letdown once they actually get to know me lol.