too awk to hold a job
I'm a juniortrynastart my career. I'm a good student but the job search is goingbleh. I know way less qualified people who get opportunities. Bet the reason I don't is my awkwardness. It's to the point I was asked if something was wrong w/ me in the head at a past job. I have social anxiety but to the outside world I apparently look like I' on drugs or bipolar or something. I try to be nice but when I get nervous people either think I'm being rude or just off-the-chain weird. I've never been popular. I have friends in college but I literally only had 1 real friend in high school & I was picked on all through grade school. College is different because people here are super chill. I get blamed whenever things go wrong. I can't lead a group for the life of me. I seriously can't tell when someone says they're going to get food w/ some friends who I know whether it's an invitation or not. I feel so awkward I usually just make up some excuse why I don't have time to eat. I also had an experience w/ a male potential boss being disrespectful & I don'twannagive people thatkindaimpression but that's how I come off w/ my nerves-an easy target.Idkhow to act confident w/o being a total douche. I come off stiff & I compensate bytrynasound bubble & energetic but I come off like I'm 15. Basically people think it's ok to not respect me.Idkhow to change this. Or how to land a job & hold it. Ikindafeel like all my hard work might be for nothing.
I know exactly how you feel. Do you get counseling? That may help as they can help u become confident. You are every bit as wonderful as any and every other person in this world. You are different... Isn't everyone? I know I am. I try to be different. :-) Just be you...cause YOU are awesome!
I think one of the most encouraging things that I've found in my years in the workforce is that there really are so many more jobs than you realize and there are good fits for everyone. Some workplaces are super social and it can feel uncomfortable if you don't feel like you fit. Others value independent work and don't care so much about having a certain 'type'. And even among the social ones, I think there is such a range of what people expect or look for in an employee. I know 'don't worry about it' isn't a great message, but I would encourage you to look at people you relate to and see what types of things they have done in their careers to get a sense of what might work for you
Being socially awkward and anxious can be a pain the behind, especially when it comes to jobs. In terms of jobs you can do, they are out there. Even start small even if you have to, nowt wrong with being a cleaner, even as a starter job (For me: First job: Pot washer, Second Job: Shop Assistance Third Job: Cleaner) - heck, can be a "in" for a company or a way to build confidence and experience. When I was unemployed I ended up getting the attitude "I'll take what I can get" and found I took a job not great for people with anxiety issues, but I would say in my confidence in seeking employment and confidence in fulfilling a role and dealing with people within a work environment is a lot better than it was when I started. I went from being the nervous guy who can't get interviews who constantly doubts themselves and all the other baggage the comes with anxiety to the guy who still has the baggage, but walks through interviews really well. Practice can be a part of it. The anxiety is there, but I think I am able to process it better so I can hold down my job. And some of it has been trial and error too. I went through a period of struggling to get a job. The shop job I had, I was let go after 3 months, all of the issues coming down to anxiety. Though I did not recognise it as such back then.
And sometimes it can be luck of the draw with who you get in employment. Some bosses can be butt holes and some can be supportive. It can be difficult. Fortunately, some jobs are better for anxiety than others.
Recruitment agencies can be a good place to look. If you can get a recruitment agency that works for you, then some of the battle is fought in looking for jobs. I have had some just turn their nose up at me, but some who're interested. Some will even help with things like interview techniques before they set you up with an interview. Though that part is easier if you have already had a job before, but it is worth signing up to a few and maybe bugging them once in a while, so they get to know your name. At the very least it shows you're keen, underneath any social anxieties that make conversations awkward. :)
