JOB SEARCH: The Hunt Is On
The first step on your road to employment, once you have the skills you need, is the job search. I’ve got some tips that will help you become a VIP NOW, JACK. Yes, I realize that sounds extremely silly, but if you know me at all, you know that I am not above a bit of whimsy.
So let’s begin.
VIP stands for Volunteer, Intern, Portfolio/resumé.
NOW stands for Network, Online search, Work experience.
JACK stands for Job fairs, Alumni, Cold calls, and Know someone.
VIP
The V in VIP stands for Volunteer.
When you start your job search, you will meet challenges. Employers want someone with experience, but if they don’t give you a job, how can you get experience? If you volunteer in your chosen field, this will give you the experience you need. If you haven’t done any volunteer work yet, there’s no time like the present. Get out there and volunteer. It will give you confidence as you learn to navigate workplaces. It will also give you something to put on your resumé. And who knows? You might meet someone who can give you a reference or help you get your foot in the door of your first paid job.
The I in VIP stands for Intern.
If your chosen career field uses interns, this is a good place to start. Some internships are paid positions, and others are unpaid. It’s great if you can get paid while you learn, but don’t turn down an unpaid internship if it’s offered and you don’t have something better at the moment. Employers learn what kind of a worker you are during an internship, and sometimes they hire their new employees from the intern pool. This is the perfect opportunity to make a good impression, especially if you’re not as good in interviews as you are on the job.
The P in VIP stands for Portfolio or resumé.
Applicants who are not comfortable in an interview can put the focus on what they have demonstrated they are capable of, rather than how well they chat with the interview panel. Create a portfolio of your work or a resumé that highlights your relevant experience. It’s a great way to show, rather than tell, why they should hire you. When you start out, you shouldn’t spend hundreds of dollars on a professional portfolio or resumé. You can do it yourself with free online tutorials. Alter it slightly to fit what each employer wants. You don’t want a one-size-fits-all, cookie-cutter resumé that looks like every other one they receive. Personalize it, and keep it focused. Your encyclopedic knowledge of tropical fish might help you get a job in an aquarium or pet store, but not a furniture store. They should recognize that you are the right person for their job, not just any job. Once your portfolio or resumé is finished, show it to a trusted mentor or friend who understands your field, and ask for honest and supportive constructive feedback. Reread it, polish it, and make it shine. Once it’s as good as you can make it, send it out to prospective employers.
NOW
The N in NOW stands for Network.
Networking can be cringey. No one wants to feel manipulated or used, or that you’re only interested in what they can do for you. And you probably don’t want to be pushy and shove your business card at everyone you meet. It feels forced and uncomfortable. Respect that feeling, and don’t network in the traditional way of marketing yourself to everyone you meet. Not every elevator ride has to include a pitch. Be prepared with a short, rehearsed sentence or two about what you do or your chosen field, but don’t pitch it unless someone asks for it. Maybe you have a box of business cards, or a scannable card that can send your information and QR code automatically to someone’s phone. That’s great, but don’t tell everyone you meet about it (even though a scannable QR code business card sounds extremely cool). If they ask for your card, then you can bring it out or offer to scan your information to them. If they don’t ask, you’re not required to offer. It’s so easy to come across as pushy, which is the last thing you want.
If you go to a business-related event where people are expected to mingle and network, it’s okay to be a “wallflower” and talk to only a few people. You don’t have to be a shark swimming through the room in search of potential prey. If you stay on the fringes and talk to two or three people who are also on the edges, that’s fine. Think quality, not quantity. You can leave early and count it as a success. You did a difficult thing, and you should feel good about it.
The O in NOW stands for Online search.
Is online one of your favorite ways to connect with the world? If so, you are ready for this. When you search online for potential employment opportunities, keep your online searches positive and upbeat. Don’t get bogged down by all the fascinating rabbit holes that will pop up to distract you. Stay focused. You don’t have to use every form of social media; it won’t all be consistent with your style. Many people use LinkedIn to look for jobs, or Facebook. You’ll often find groups of others in your field that you can join. Like and follow people you admire and want to learn from. Share blogs or posts that you find inspiring or helpful. There might be discussions where you can ask for advice, but be sure to follow the rules of the group before you post. Many autistic people are far more comfortable and effective online than they are in person, so use that strength to your advantage. While you’re researching job listings, have an open mind. You may think you are unqualified for a particular job in your field, but don’t let that stop you. If you meet the minimum requirements, go ahead and apply even if you don’t meet the employer’s “wish list” of what they’re looking for. Even if you don’t get the job, you will have had more experience in applying and interviewing, and it may be that you are exactly the person they were looking for. They didn’t know because they just hadn’t met you yet.
The W in NOW stands for Work experience.
If you’re a student, find out about the work experience programs available at your school. Sign yourself up and get the most you can from what they have to offer. Even if they assign you a part-time job that is not in your chosen field, the experience you gain dealing with supervisors and coworkers will be helpful in any career. If you do a good job, be sure to ask your work experience employer and school contact person for letters of recommendation to add to your portfolio. If you’re out of school, check out your state or county’s vocational rehabilitation office for opportunities. Get an appointment with a vocational counselor to talk about your career goals and to see what kinds of work experiences they might offer. Ask about special services for people with disabilities. Their goal is to connect people with jobs that match their skills, abilities, and interests. Let them help you.
JACK
The J in JACK stands for Job fairs.
Job fairs, or career fairs, can be a great opportunity, but as with many opportunities, it has its pros and cons.
On the pro side, you can connect with many employers in one day, ask them questions, and learn about what their company has to offer. You can also meet them outside of an interview setting, which may be more relaxed. This is a good opportunity to leave your resumé and business cards with many representatives; after all, that’s what they’re here for.
On the con side, there may be crowds of other job-seekers who all want to be seen and heard and make a good impression. If you don’t do well in crowds, and if you dislike competition, especially with pushy people, you may not want to spend a lot of time there. However, if you at least show up, hand out a few resumés, and leave early if you need to for your own self-care, you will have taken a positive step.
The A in JACK stands for Alumni.
If you or anyone in your family went to the same school as the person who will interview you, especially if it’s you and not your second cousin once removed, then mention the connection. You can usually find chief officers’ alma maters on the company website. This one’s a long shot, but if you do happen to connect over shared college experiences, it can help them remember you when they make their decisions.
The C in JACK stands for Cold calls.
This is the worst. Cold calls are no fun to receive or to make. Most of the time, avoid this one. Email exists for a reason. However, there may be a time when the best course of action is to pick up your phone and call, especially if they asked you to call them. If they asked, it’s not really a cold call, is it? Most autistic people I know would rather not talk on the phone if they can avoid it. If you can’t avoid it, plan a brief script of what you want to say, and write the bullet points so you can remember your ideas and won’t have to read the script verbatim. That usually sounds stuffy or less than natural. Before the call, use whatever relaxation strategies work for you, such as mindful breathing, stretching, a short walk out in nature, or whatever helps you focus. Plan to do something you enjoy right after the call to celebrate that you did a difficult thing, however it turns out.
The K in JACK stands for Know someone.
Nice work if you can get it, right? If you do already know someone in the career field of your dreams, that’s wonderful! Ask them for any advice they can offer you, or if they know of openings that you might be a good fit for. Don’t drop their names without their permission though. Gauge the closeness of your relationship before you approach them. You don’t want to come across as a user who’s only interested in what they can do for you. If the person you know is your parent, they might help you figure out who to approach and how. If the person you know is a good friend you see often, it’s usually fine to ask them for help, too, within reason. For instance, have you helped them move, cared for their pets while they were on vacation, or driven them to the airport? If so, now is the time to ask them for a return favor. On the other hand, if the person you know is a distant relative or someone you knew in school that you don’t regularly keep in touch with, don’t beg for favors. It’s fine to ask for advice, but don’t ask them to put in a good word with their boss for you. It’s also fine to ask a previous boss to write you a letter of recommendation or to be on a list of references to be contacted. Get their permission before you put them on the list. If you didn’t leave on good terms or the boss didn’t even know your name, don’t ask. If you had a supervisor who appreciated your work, do ask for a letter or for them to serve as a reference for you. It’s not who you know, but who knows you and will speak highly of you, that counts.
Messages from Autistic Mentors
“I’ve searched for jobs frantically without a real plan when I needed money, but as I’ve gotten older, it’s really important for me to take my time and make sure I will fit with the place. I will never go into customer service again.”
~Helena, works with autistic children
“Have a CV or resumé tailored to the job you’re applying for. If I’m looking for a writing job, I use a CV about writing, and if I’m looking for an animal care job, I use a CV tailored to animal care.”
~Beth F. Watzke, late-diagnosed autistic writer and animal care provider
“Don’t just look for any job, because you will get burned out if it’s not a good fit for you. If you love sneakers, don’t try to work in a bookstore, and if you love books, don’t try to sell sneakers. Look at your key interests, passion, or hyper-focus, and find companies that specialize in that.”
~Suzanne, drive-through window greeter