Getting and Maintaining a Job with Social Anxiety

I'd like to know that too. I've never had a job before (never been good enough somehow, I haven't even made it to an interview) and I've just kinda somewhat given up, it all sounds like some sort of weird mandatory hell that everyone has to experience. I've never heard anyone love their minimum wage job, it's all "I gotta skip class because they called me in" and "I gotta go to my 5 am shift" and stuff. I can't see any sort of positive spin to this.

@uselesscookies

Thank you for sharing with us! :) It turns out that 7 cups has some really great self-help guides for these concerns. If you would like to check them out, here they are: https://www.7cups.com/social-anxiety/ ; https://www.7cups.com/work-related-stress/

These resources might not perfectly fit your concerns, but they have a lot of helpful information and exercises. Also, I wish you good luck on your job hunt Cookies!

@uselesscookies

Hi! I can totally relate to your experience! I was taking that much and had to work to meet a goal that I had a time limit for, even though it's my own time limit, it was a goal of mine so it was as important as school!

I would say that going to the career center at the college would help in terms of building your resume, and looking for a job, they usually have a website by the college for the students to look from. And, maybe look at on-campus jobs? work study jobs? I'm sorry if you don't know these, it's only because I'm from Washington state, and at your place they might be called something different.

Also, I would try to look at the good things about you, and sell them as much as possible, even if you might feel like your strengths are not that a big deal, make it look like a big deal. But I understand weaknesses are insecurities that stop us from doing what we'd like. I would accept it and do the best I could in the workplace. For me, if I am being nice to everyone, it's the other people's choice to hate me or say bad things to me, and that's not my fault because I know I was nice to them. I always blame the other person if they are being mean for no reason...

I hope this helps!

Mara

@uselesscookies

First of all, I want to acknowledge you for going for a job with social anxiety. I'm a fellow sufferer and I know all too well how difficult it is to take a leap of faith with the potential of new workmates and employer. All of the things that you mentioned - mean coworkers or a mean boss - may happen, you're right.

If you ask anyone to be honest about the people that they work with including their manager, we would all say that we may have experience of one or two workmates that we don't quite click with but the majority of people we get along great with.

In my work history, which is very broad across a number of industries, I've had one workmate out of the hundreds that I've worked with that has really challenging. I've had an awful lot of workmates that have become good friends and a lot of good memories as well.

While the fear will always be there, the reality is always quite the opposite. And if you do come across someone that is challenging, just remember you'll be able to deal it. I have faith in you for that and you should also. It will be all right :)

I'm sure you'll get lots of good ideas here.

Maybe you just need to search more? I mean, there are so many job opportunities that can suit any person. But actually, I'd prefer to fight fire with fire. That is, to overcome my bad social skills I'd apply for Front Desk Jobs. After all, maybe it's easy to get used to it.

Hello! Your situation is complicated but solvable. Of course, it's not easy to find a job when you are concerned about your social anxiety. I want to ask you. Have you tried to look for jobs where social communication is pretty low? I talk about home based jobs, online jobs. Sitting home and having deals on the Internet can help you avoid your problems.