Aspies For Freedom

I am working on the site 'jobs for autistics' can anyone suggest advice, and pitfalls for aspies and auties looking for work.

Hi Amy,

I don't know if this is what you're looking for, but I have found some great advice in the following books:

- "Developing Talents: Careers for Individuals with Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism" by Temple Grandin

- "Your Life is Not a Label: A guide to living fully with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome for parents, professionals and you!" by Jerry Newport

What do the questions asked at job interviews really mean?  Or what answers should I give so that I will be correct?  What is it ok to lie about in an interview (or not so much to lie as to omit information)?

Job interview translation into aspie.  

What can you do if you are overqualified and desperately in need of work/money?  

I find that most job ads will list too many qualifications.  Often someone will get the job that does not have all those qualifications listed.  I usually apply if I have some interest and experience in the work.  Try to use as many terms and work descriptions in your own letter and resume to match the ad as possible.  The people reading the letters and setting up the interview often do not know anything really about the job (in larger companies).  The more your letter matches the ad job description, the more likely you are to get an interview.  Often the person interviewing might be more technical unless it is an HR person.  If an HR person is interviewing first, I will not likely get the job since they are more prejudiced against people who have autism.  Usually the managers only care about whether you can do the job and they like you.

Actually I have not had much success in finding work.  

Maybe you could ask several HR people in some large companies how a person with autism could best interview and get a position in their company.  They might actually learn something from you, Amy.

Thanks for the suggestions so far, I don't think that I would be able to use passages from the books mentioned though, because of copyright issues.

What has often been pointed out to me is what is called the "hidden job market".  That is positions that are not advertised in media and that is where people make use of friends, colleagues and relatives to find them work.  Some of the suggestions are to join professional organizations and go to cocktail parties, phone up collegues and go on "information interviews".  This is very difficult for a person with Asperger's to do.  There must be a way since this is the biggest job market and most people find jobs by this method.

Yes, there is a large hidden job market.  I found my current job after I overheard some people at a continuing education seminar talking about a new project that the company was starting.

It is a good, funny answer, but surely an employer would not want to hire someone who is likely to want to quit?   It would mean they would have to go through the expense of finding and hiring a new employee.
So if I was you, I woudn't give an answer which would suggest in any way that you might quit in the near future.

Funnily enough, even if my family or I did ever become rich, I would still want to keep my job.  I think it's important to serve a purpose in life, if you have the ability to do so.  Even if it's just voluntary or part-time work.

Huh?
Don't you need food and shelter?

Could Amy put in some method of checking references or what should a good reference say?  I have had several former employers say they would give me a reference and they gave references that were not so good.

This stuff about "where do you want to be in x number of years"? is rather silly - what about those of us who live from day to day and let the future take care of itself?

Yikes! my head hurts after reading all this stuff.

And let's not forget that many great inventors worked largely by themselves or maybe just with one other person.

I also think Aspies can be very good "ideas people".

Thankfully, this employer had an enlightened attitude and was prepared to give you a try. I just wish more employers would take a chance on the "quiet achievers" (not all of whom are Aspie) for a change.

My literal mind must be showing when I say I hate the expression "sell yourself" as I then get visions of standing under a red light or walking the streets and that's something I would never do.