Job Hunt VIP
When you’re looking for a job, it can be discouraging. How do you get your foot in the door? This is especially challenging if you’re not great at interviewing. It seems like the people who are good at chatting about themselves and their strengths in an interview get the jobs, even though the best person for the job may not do their best in an interview. If interviewing is not your thing, how else can you show prospective employers that you’re a VIP, and the right person for their job? Check out this sneak preview to learn more.
Working While Autistic
As of this writing, I just turned in my latest manuscript, Working While Autistic, to my publisher, Future Horizons, Inc. I was excited to write this book because so many autistic people are unemployed or underemployed, and employers are missing out on great employees because they never get to see how capable they really are. As an employer, I have hired many autistic clinicians in my practice, and they are excellent and eminently qualified. I’d love for other employers to realize that an amazing worker is not necessarily a comfortable interviewee. There’s more to showing off your skills than just sitting across a table answering questions.
That’s why I’m giving you a sneak preview of a small part of one of the chapters in Working While Autistic. You can demonstrate your abilities apart from the interview in many ways, including the tips included here. We’ll use VIP as a reminder for Volunteer, Intern, Portfolio.
VIP
Volunteer
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.
Intern
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, and others are unpaid positions. 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.
Portfolio/resumé
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 in 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.
Just the beginning
Of course, volunteering and unpaid internships are not viable long term options, but they may open the door to more sustainable employment once you’ve shown your supervisors what you can do. I’m sure you can think of many other ways to demonstrate that you are the right person for the job, and I hope these three tips will be a launching pad to help get you started. There’s lots more in the book, Working While Autistic, which comes out June 3, 2025. If you have suggestions to share about what works for you, I hope you’ll comment or reach out to me at mailto:DrWendy. I’m looking forward to hearing from you!
