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Xenon
Mutant Space Bug
Joined: Feb 10, 2006
Posts: 1708
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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 Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 8:44 pm Post subject: |
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I've gotten a certain amount of success by always being pleasant and polite, and always maintaining a cheerful facade (even if I have to fake it). Where I work now, I have a rep for being the quiet type, but also for being the type of person who can always be asked to help out when it's needed. I'm well-liked in the department I work in... which I still find a little creepy because I'm not used to that. 
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"Some mornings it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps." -- Emo Philips |
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Pandora
Cat Lady
Joined: Jun 18, 2005
Age: 47
Posts: 4684
Location: Townsville
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| Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 5:08 am Post subject: |
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This seems like reasonable advice (mind you, I'm very bad at pretending all is okay when it isn't).
_________________
Break out you Western girls,
Someday soon you're gonna rule the world.
Break out you Western girls,
Hold your heads up high.
"Western Girls" - Dragon
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Logan5
Tufted Titmouse
Joined: Feb 25, 2007
Posts: 48
Location: UK
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| Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 5:07 am Post subject: |
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Over the years, I have collected some free material about job interviews. Although this material often had some good information, it many ways it was too general/ vague. Recently I purchased the e-book "How to Impress For Success at Job Interviews"
http://www.interviewsolution.com/
I have been pleasantly surprised by it. The thing I like the most is the writer not only lists common interview questions, but often gives suggestions or tips for how to respond to those questions. In some instances, his suggestions are general, but useful; e.g.,
Q: Why do you want this job?
A: Think carefully about this question. Stress the positive aspects that have attracted you to apply for this position. Do not mention the negative aspects of your current job or the job in question.
In others they are very specific; e.g.,
Q: Why should we hire you?
A: You should always answer "Because of my knowledge, experience, abilities and skills."
(Before anyone asks, I am *not* receiving any sort of financial compensation for mentioning this e-book. I am simply trying to be helpful.)
One caveat is that this book may be overkill for the type of jobs I am looking at. Higher paying jobs require greater interpersonal skills, and thus have more rigorous interview processes. As much as I would like to earn a lot of money, realistically I would be ill suited for such work.
Another issue is there are a lot of possible questions, and trying to prepare and memorise answers to all of them is far beyond most people's capabilities (or at least beyond mine). The author helpfully groups questions into several categories. An interesting suggestion I read elsewhere is to think of things in terms of 'talking points'.
“Don’t try to prepare for every possible question that could arise. Determine the 6-8 topics that are likely to come up during your interview and then:
a. Hone a key message for each topic.
b. Identify anecdotes you can tell that illustrate each message.
c. Prepare specific examples or compelling data to prove your point.
d. Think of clever analogies if appropriate.
Think of these interviews as the equivalent of a good movie trailer, in which your quest is to independently drive to the very best scenes, anecdotes and newsworthy revelations in the book.”
- http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/04/30/interview-tips-from-media-consultants-and-results-from-me/
See also http://finance.yahoo.com/expert/article/careerist/52808
Finally, one general interviewing tip: Always keep your answers positive. |
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whitecat
Hummingbird
Joined: Dec 03, 2007
Posts: 24
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
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| Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 4:04 pm Post subject: LET'S KEEP THIS FORUM GOING! |
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I would like to keep this forum going - this forum has GREAT tips for the whole gamut of finding a job/keeping a job.
Thank you everyone here!
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You never get a 2nd chance to make a 1st impression. |
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cerasela
Deinonychus
Joined: Sep 17, 2007
Posts: 317
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| Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:46 pm Post subject: |
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I have read thousands of posts on WP... Many of the very gifted people here have said that they could not finish their education and they are doing hard jobs, like cashiers etc. but they still think about their dreams. I want to encourage everyone here not to let our "disability" (no matter how much self confidence I have, I know my AS is a disability for me, so don't get offended that I said "disability", that's only my feeling about myself, but I am accepting myself just the way I am) stop them from finishing the school that they dreamed they would finish... Even if it seems late to get your dream, don't be discouraged, just get it done. About finding and keeping a job, from my own experience, yes! it is hard and people can be cruel about AS peculiarities, but it is possible that we can find a place where we can function uninhibited, just the way we are, no eye contact, tantrums, blunt honesty, annoying exuberance etc. My philosofy is to keep on trying. I stayed in jobs that were so bad that I felt like I was abusing myself, but I never got discouraged and I kept changing them, in the hope that I will find a place where I could help people just the way I am, strange or whatever. I had the courage to finish what I have started 14 years ago. And I feel like it's getting better every day.
I want to give hope to all that have said that they did not finish school or work difficult jobs (I did, too), because of not feeling 100%, brought to their knees by autism. If I could get things done, under my circumstances, than anybody can!!! 
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Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.
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cerasela
Deinonychus
Joined: Sep 17, 2007
Posts: 317
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| Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:53 pm Post subject: |
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A little note here, Kilroy started school again and tomorrow is his birthday!
Happy Birthday, Kilroy! Happy 19!!! Many to come!!!
Congratulations on starting school!!! Keep up the good work!!!
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Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.
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crazedchef
Deinonychus
Joined: Mar 05, 2007
Posts: 314
Location: Baghdad, Iraq
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| Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 7:15 am Post subject: |
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| cerasela wrote: | I have read thousands of posts on WP... Many of the very gifted people here have said that they could not finish their education and they are doing hard jobs, like cashiers etc. but they still think about their dreams. I want to encourage everyone here not to let our "disability" (no matter how much self confidence I have, I know my AS is a disability for me, so don't get offended that I said "disability", that's only my feeling about myself, but I am accepting myself just the way I am) stop them from finishing the school that they dreamed they would finish... Even if it seems late to get your dream, don't be discouraged, just get it done. About finding and keeping a job, from my own experience, yes! it is hard and people can be cruel about AS peculiarities, but it is possible that we can find a place where we can function uninhibited, just the way we are, no eye contact, tantrums, blunt honesty, annoying exuberance etc. My philosofy is to keep on trying. I stayed in jobs that were so bad that I felt like I was abusing myself, but I never got discouraged and I kept changing them, in the hope that I will find a place where I could help people just the way I am, strange or whatever. I had the courage to finish what I have started 14 years ago. And I feel like it's getting better every day.
I want to give hope to all that have said that they did not finish school or work difficult jobs (I did, too), because of not feeling 100%, brought to their knees by autism. If I could get things done, under my circumstances, than anybody can!!! |
Great Advice!!
I am 39 yrs. old and suffer from everything you mention.
Kept at it. Finally earned an Associates in Applied Science at 35 and my first job out of school was here in Baghdad!!
Been able to put away a couple of hundred thousand so I know that I can get any job when I get home and will not be wanting for money 
Just keep at it, try, try, try, try.
That is the only way to ever get a break.
crazedchef |
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cerasela
Deinonychus
Joined: Sep 17, 2007
Posts: 317
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| Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 8:43 am Post subject: |
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| crazedchef wrote: | | cerasela wrote: | I have read thousands of posts on WP... Many of the very gifted people here have said that they could not finish their education and they are doing hard jobs, like cashiers etc. but they still think about their dreams. I want to encourage everyone here not to let our "disability" (no matter how much self confidence I have, I know my AS is a disability for me, so don't get offended that I said "disability", that's only my feeling about myself, but I am accepting myself just the way I am) stop them from finishing the school that they dreamed they would finish... Even if it seems late to get your dream, don't be discouraged, just get it done. About finding and keeping a job, from my own experience, yes! it is hard and people can be cruel about AS peculiarities, but it is possible that we can find a place where we can function uninhibited, just the way we are, no eye contact, tantrums, blunt honesty, annoying exuberance etc. My philosofy is to keep on trying. I stayed in jobs that were so bad that I felt like I was abusing myself, but I never got discouraged and I kept changing them, in the hope that I will find a place where I could help people just the way I am, strange or whatever. I had the courage to finish what I have started 14 years ago. And I feel like it's getting better every day.
I want to give hope to all that have said that they did not finish school or work difficult jobs (I did, too), because of not feeling 100%, brought to their knees by autism. If I could get things done, under my circumstances, than anybody can!!! |
Great Advice!!
I am 39 yrs. old and suffer from everything you mention.
Kept at it. Finally earned an Associates in Applied Science at 35 and my first job out of school was here in Baghdad!!
Been able to put away a couple of hundred thousand so I know that I can get any job when I get home and will not be wanting for money
Just keep at it, try, try, try, try.
That is the only way to ever get a break.
crazedchef |
Good job, crazedchef!!!!! I had a wild ER day yesterday at work (nothing like they show on ER on tv...lol...) and I woke up kind of hopeless (after 3 hours of sleep) and when I read your post it actually changed my day!!! So thank you!!! I know it's possible.
I am getting tested again on Wednesday (in a different clinic) because I am looking for more help in acting "normal" (NT normal...lol...). My next thing will be two things...one will be to continue my education and next to live with a man. And keep helping my daughter, I can see how hard her life is. Being brutally honest and excentric is no easy thing in a very vain world...but at least I am aware of what the "problem" is.
Crazedchef, what are you doing in Bagdad? My ex-mother-in-law, that passed away two years ago, unfortunately, told me stories about growing up in Bagdad as a Christian, she was always grateful that she escaped from there, she loved, loved, loved life in US.
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Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.
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cerasela
Deinonychus
Joined: Sep 17, 2007
Posts: 317
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| Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 8:46 am Post subject: |
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| Xenon wrote: | | I've gotten a certain amount of success by always being pleasant and polite, and always maintaining a cheerful facade (even if I have to fake it). Where I work now, I have a rep for being the quiet type, but also for being the type of person who can always be asked to help out when it's needed. I'm well-liked in the department I work in... which I still find a little creepy because I'm not used to that. |
OMG, I can relate to "feeling a little creepy" because I am not used to be liked and treated as an equal...it is not self-esteem issue, it is just what it is...
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Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.
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NeoPix
Tufted Titmouse
Joined: Apr 29, 2008
Age: 34
Posts: 46
Location: Bay Area, CA
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| Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 1:20 pm Post subject: |
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On interviews...
My experience and philosophy are different than most. I have been both the interviewer and interviewee in my life. I personally do not believe an interview will give you a clear picture of a candidate's work quality and habits. Most interviews are bait-and-switch, in my opinion. The person you interviewed is not the same person I thought I hired after he becomes an employee. Usually, the job skills are over-stated or over-exaggerated. Conversely, people with crappy interview skills may turn out to be great employees.
This is not an exact science.
But if you just want your foot in the door, so to speak, then all you have to do during interviews is the following:
1. Be pleasant, but don't smile all the time. It gives me the heebie-jeebies when someone is smiling all the time. This is not natural. No one smiles all the time.
2. Answer questions clearly and directly.
3. Most importantly, ask lots of questions. Your questions reveal a lot more about yourself than I could possibly glean from me asking questions of you.
4. Eye contact. Don't avert your eyes.
5. Don't over-state your skills. The worst thing that can happen is that I discover you've been lying about your qualifications and though I may not fire you, you will be in my doghouse for awhile until you prove yourself. Sometimes, you may never prove yourself. I'm not alone in this view. Other employers hate being scammed. |
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cerasela
Deinonychus
Joined: Sep 17, 2007
Posts: 317
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| Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 11:16 pm Post subject: |
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Very good post and very true things you said.
I am one of of the spoiled ones, as a nurse, I can get a job easy, which is not very flattering...but anyway. Everything you said is true.
I just quit my job again. Again, NT nonsense "scared" me away (disgusted me away, I should say...lol...). The same as always, bikini talk at the nurses station (absolutely no compassion for patients from a lot of medical personnel...unacceptable), me absent from them, being with patients, trying to make their fear of being sick more bearable (and pushing tons of narcotics...which still doesn't feel right, because a lot of people get addicted and don't even know it, but I know better). I got disgusted again of the same old issues. I was suppose to write people up for not doing their job, which is another nonsense, no time for that when I could be taking care of patients. I already got a job that pays 10 dollars more an hour and lets me make my own schedule...I wish everybody would have it so easy to switch jobs, I am talking about NT and AS (but with more concern for AS people, because being one of them, I know the crap they have to deal with in work places). Sorry I am blabbing about myself.
Good post. From experience, I learned that it is so much easier to be yourself when you interview. And asking your prospective employer questions throws them back a little, but they recover...lol...and you can find out things that you wouldn't find out even after working for them for a while. Smiling all the time is definitely weird and fake and just shows insecurity.
Anyway, good luck to everybody. Like I said before, never give up as an autistic, we might be the ones that actually will change the world into a better place, because we are not preocupated with fashion and nonsense...not everybody would agree with me, but it's the truth.
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Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.
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drybones
Toucan
Joined: May 15, 2008
Age: 38
Posts: 250
Location: UK
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| Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 5:52 pm Post subject: |
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I've worked in companies of various size doing pretty much the same job in teams mostly but now I've found a recipe that works for me:
1. boss who respects + trusts my opinion
2. small company, less than 10 full-time staff
3. colleagues who i find to be nice people
i have minimal contact with strangers and sometimes spend the day 100% alone - i like this
successful interviews for me have always been when I've demonstrated passion, skill and "clicked" with the interviewee |
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Pandora
Cat Lady
Joined: Jun 18, 2005
Age: 47
Posts: 4684
Location: Townsville
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| Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 8:47 am Post subject: |
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I believe the only time I would perform well in an interview is when I really wanted the job and it was in a field where I already had a consuming interest. Unfortunately, this is very rare.
_________________
Break out you Western girls,
Someday soon you're gonna rule the world.
Break out you Western girls,
Hold your heads up high.
"Western Girls" - Dragon
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curiouslittleboy
Deinonychus
Joined: Jun 07, 2007
Age: 20
Posts: 328
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| Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 3:01 pm Post subject: |
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| julieme wrote: | I am currently involved in interviewing and hiring 20 co-op students for my company. When the process is over I'll publish a report on this stuff.
So far though the thankyou note stuff seems to be bogus. Student t test reveils no correlation between thankyou notes and getting invited for a second interview.
So far of import are:
Good GPA (>3.2 for my company)
Enthusiastic - really want the job
Research - have investigated what the job involves and understand it.
Willing to share recognition and credit with team mates
Personality fit (introvert/extrovert orientation) some groups prefer quiet people ( sw design, programming) others ebulent folks (Validation, hardware design). The personality so far affects which opening someone gets assigned to not if they are hired.
More later |
Geh? How is something like Hardware Design an extraverted field? O.o And what's Validation? |
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MsTriste
OTS
Joined: Dec 08, 2005
Age: 44
Posts: 3373
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| Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 6:03 pm Post subject: Re: You don't have to like or be friends with your co-worker |
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| wobbegong wrote: | | http://www.heartless-bitches.com/bi/bitchitorial04jun06.shtml |
Quoted because it's the best thing I've read in months about not just getting along with coworkers, but people in general. I highly recommend anybody who's having troubles at work, read this article.
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