Posted by WorryGirl on May 17, 2003, at 19:51:06
In reply to I am scared to get a job., posted by Kelly1 on May 16, 2003, at 0:52:34
> I am in my early 20's. I have been unemployed since Feb of this year.
>
> I have had only 1 job which lasted for 4 years. I started this job with my boyfriend (who is now my husband). Having him there made it easier for me and I didn't feel so alone.
>
> Like I said, I recently quit my job. I hated it for the entire time I was there. But I was friends with all the other employees and I felt safe.
>
> Now I am terrified to find another job. I am not lazy in any way. I am dying to do something. It's just that I feel so akward around people I don't know. I feel uncomfortable and embarrassed. I am also unable to make conversation which makes the situation worse.
>
> I don't know what to do or why I feel this way.
>
> Any advice?
Hi Kelly,
I know how you feel. I am terribly anxious around other people, unless I know them well and feel that they like me. In several jobs, I felt safe because I had been there long enough to have had made friends. In those situations, I really thrived.It is always hard in new situations, especially jobs. I perform best in jobs that let me work relatively independently, with no competition between other workers.
There are opportunities working from home on your computer available, ranging from working for a big company to working for yourself.
For a while, on the side, I sold items on online auctions and did very well. I wanted to get rid of a few things I owned that I thought were relatively valuable. I liked it so much that I started buying used items and selling those. After having two children, though, it isn't feasible at this time of my life. Just a suggestion.
Since I am dealing with social anxiety issues myself, I don't feel like I can give you very good advice. If I smile, and someone is friendly, then I feel much less awkward, but this rarely happens to me these days.
I do wish the best for you and hope you get more comfortable socially. Therapy and/or medications might help you if you are diagnosed with social anxiety disorder or general anxiety disorder or various phobias.
When interviewing, maybe you could find out some way to ask how the attitude is among the other employees. If they say, "we are like family here", it can go either way. They could be very cliquish and not open to outsiders, gossipping and backstabbing, etc. Or, they could be a wonderful bunch of people. I've worked in both types of situations.
If your interviewer says, "we are too busy to socialize", that can be a good thing if you don't mind long hours!
Good luck
poster:WorryGirl
thread:226984
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20030517/msgs/227314.html