Feeling like the world isn't built for me

[London_fog]

Hello everyone,I have been diagnosed as autistic since September 2023 and it has been great as I feel like I finally understand a lot about myself.

However, I have just finished my MSc and I am now looking for work and I'm realising that every job descriptions may as well say they do not employ autistic individuals. I struggle with change, I struggle to communicate, I struggle with memory, I prefer lone work. I've also had a bad experience in my last job role where they were discriminating against me and I had to quit to keep myself sane but that left me feeling even more alone.

I don't know what to do, I need an income to survive and have independence in this extortionate world. I even tried PIP but they are biased even though they're not meant to be.

I don't know what to do.

[Tronsformer]

Hunting for a job is a stressful experience in any scenario and when you add autism into the mix it makes it even more so.

Speaking from experience you will find a mixed bag out there. Some employers will not be accodmodating to your condition, others will be brilliant. I have had experience of both.

Re job descriptions, just understand that in job advert space or career pages, the trend is to put a gloss on everything, make the role sound way more important and detailed as possible to a) stand out against other employers, b) make their job, company appear as a leading place.

I’ve seen I and other’s have done listed after leaving those places and found it amusing because we know what it was REALLY like and it what not what was listed. So I wouldn’t let that throw you off, even though I personally get fixated on details, and things like job descriptions put me in overthinking mode.

Here’s what I have done and maybe it can help you.

- Apply around as mich as you can providing its a job you feel can do and excel in. put aside the specifics of the job description and ask youself, ‘can I be successful in this role.?’ If yes go for it. The worst they can donis say no.

- Get primed and used to getting rejected applications. As horrible as it is, its likely to happen and the nature of recruitment for many reasons. Often a companies recuritment process has many layers and the person who IS actually hiring will be the last to see your application, before that it will be HR or people who look at applications who don’t know the job extactly. At this stage I use it as an opportunity to tweak my CV and cover letters and see if it is that. Also it is a great opportunity to ask the employer why they rejected you. Usually they found someone who is a better fit. Meaning on another day you would’ve been picked, other times it might be a gap in your skillset which you can address. Equally you might get no response at all, which is totally normal too.

- for yourself list out your requirements as an autistic individual and how they can effect you at a place of work. You can use this during interviews or even after you secure your job to help you target the areas which can cause issues for you.

- be upfront about autism: let your new emloyers know it before you begin, either in interviews or before starting the job. Legaly they will say its not an issue but from my experience many companies simply have no experience of working with autistic folk, we are many but still a small minority. As a result the only knowledge they have will be thier HR policy to govern such scenarios which I find cold. But I understand, with autism the best way to know is to live it or live with someone who has it. So my point is this can be a double edged sword. It can be liberating and things are smooth from here on out or you feel more isolated. For me I let employers know upfront its seems logical to me. I also follow it up with what they can expect from as a result. And usually its overly through communication or super short communication. Especially emails as I struggle communicating in that way. I also tell them that in such a situation I may ask more questions them usual in order to make sense of things some which are obvious others not so. So all I have done is told them of my conditon, given them context as to how it manifests, the solution I currenlty have and how it can affect them.

It also give employers a chance to run a mile too. After all I’d rather be with a company who is accepting then one who isn’t. As said and illegal as it is. Its something that can happen.

- prior to applying on places like LinkedIn or other they provide a contant or person in charge of the application. If you have any doubts or questions reach out to them and get a clearer picture of what the job requires. I find a less informal interaction can make things easier before the hyper formal performance expected of me when I officially apply for a job.

- back yourself. Know that with your degree, you are qulaified, you have the knowledge and the skills.

- network, whether its events, conventions forums or wherever network and connect with your peers, learn how they got their first job. Or maybe even they might put a good word in for you.

- research, learn as much as possible about the industry you are entering, or companies you want to work for or jobs you want to do. This will give you a taste for whats to come and prepare you.

- if sustainable explore internships and or volunteering in your desored field. It offers you experience to add to your CV and an insight into how the jobs you do and your autism interact with one another.

- have a plan b or c keep an Eye out for opportunities that don’t fit with your requirements but might still have an appeal. Many careers have been made by people doing jobs they never thought they would do.

- stay positive, the recruitment space is weird to me to say the least. Stay positive and keep trying and applying and opportunities will arise and you will find a job that suits you and lets you thrive. It might be straight away or it might take years. (It took me 10years after my degree). If you find the recruitment process draining take a pause from time to time if you can.

All the best with the job hunt and remember through you understanding your needs and obstacles and being able to have great commincation with your employers and colleagues is a formula that will work well for autistic people like is. Ultiamtely employers want someone who can do the job. If that is possible then they will not care too much about how that person does it.