Liane Holliday Willey - Pretending to be Normal

I remember my first adult job interview. I had just finished my masters degree program and was interviewing for a job as a career consultant. During the interview, the owner of the firm asked me if I had much interest in the multi-media wave that was on the brink of bringing us hand-held camcorders, video recorders and compact discs. I shared my enthusiasm for the technology, certain I was making great progress with the boss. All went well until the man told me his favorite multi-media company. Rather than telling him I disagreed with his conclusion, or better yet, keeping my mouth shut, I literally put my index finger in my mouth, made a choking sound and screeched, «Gag me!». Suffice to say the interview ground to a halt.

Surprisingly enough, I was offered a job, but not as the high powered career manager my resume said I was over qualified for. I ended up working in a tightly cramped room with a dozen other women who spent their nine to five day sitting around a community desk working to assign otherwise unemployed people to temporary jobs. I lasted less than three months. How ironic that I would have thought I could be a career counselor when, in fact, it was I who needed career counseling. In fact, if there is one piece of career advice I would strongly recommend AS people follow, it would be that they find a professional, or at least a very knowledgeable friend, to help them chart their career future as soon as they are mature enough to give credible thought to the matter. To get everyone started along those lines, I have put together the following set of ideas that should serve to stimulate some creative thoughts and viable options.

Before you can begin to decide which career path to follow, it is essential you discover the areas you are most interested, competent and comfortable in. Use the following list to help you make that discovery.

1. Make a list of all the things you enjoy studying, talking about and actually doing.

2. Make a list of your skills and abilities.

3. Explore the possibility of turning one of those interests in to a career. For instance, let’s say you enjoy sports. Brainstorm all the jobs that have anything to do with athletics. For starters, you might think about working as a team physical fitness trainer; a sports equipment manager; a journalist who covers games and players, or the history and philosophy of the sport; a sports memorabilia collector and trader; a ticket salesperson; a team’s physical therapist; a coach’s assistant; a grounds keeper; a sporting arena or field designer; or even an athlete.

4. Research your career options as fully as possible and determine if your skills and abilities are compatible with those mandated by the job. Among the factors to consider:

(a) The sensory elements of the job’s physical environment that involve issues such as the noise level; the lights and overall design of the building, office and/or outdoor grounds you will have to visit; and even the smells that you might encounter. In other words, is the area too loud, busy, crowded, confusing, overwhelming or visually disturbing to you? If so, will this interfere with your ability to do your best work?

(b) The interpersonal expectations. For example, will you be expected to interact with other employees on group assignments and attend frequent group meetings or will you be allowed to work virtually on your own? Will you need to talk before large groups of people? Will you be expected to write many reports and/or participate in peer reviews and evaluations? Will you need to attend social functions with the employees? In short, will you be allowed much anonymity or will you need to work with others frequently? If you do have to work with others on a regular basis, will you be able to do so effectively?

(c) The schedule and expectations of the job that might include abrupt changes in routine, changes in the times and days you are expected to be at work, rearranged or even canceled vacations and break times, the reassigning of supervisors and co-workers, new job skill requirements, moving to new offices, traveling to other offices, etc. In short, can you handle a flexible job or would you prefer a more consistent and predictable work environment?

(d) The schooling and on the job training necessary for advancement. Ask yourself if you are prepared, able and willing to attend continuing education classes and seminars that might be required of you.

This is a tricky skill no matter how you look at it. Two keys to success, however, are advanced preparation and practice. If you take time to do both, you should find the interview process less intimidating and far more productive.

(a) Role play.Ask others to help you brainstorm a list of potential questions and concerns your prospective employer might discuss with you. Rehearse what you might say in a variety of situations.

(b) Non-verbal communication strategies.Make a list of the behaviors you should and should not do. Go over the list several times a day before the interview is to take place, until you are confident you will present your best behaviors. Potential items to include:

• use an appropriate greeting and goodbye

• use the appropriate vocal rhythms and pitch

• use good eye contact

• try to look calm and happy

• pay close attention to what is being said to you

• sit upright in your chair

• show enthusiasm

• wear clean, ironed and neatly matched clothing

• bathe, wash hair and brush your teeth

• avoid shifting your eyes and gaze around the room

• avoid making extraneous vocalizations

• avoid talking out of turn

• avoid using too many hand gestures

• avoid biting your nails, tapping your fingers or feet, etc.

• avoid laughing at the inappropriate time.

Many people with AS find they are the most successful in careers that do not require them to deal with many human emotions and strong social skill expectations. That being the case, the following careers come to mind.

• writer

• animal trainer

• engineer

• computer programmer

• horticulturist

• university instructor in the field you most enjoy

• research analyst

• artist or craftsman

• musician

• assembly line factory worker

• architect

• police or security officer

• fire safety officer

• scientist

• electronic, auto, television, etc. repair person

• carpenter

• librarian

• historian

• antique or special items collector and trader

• and anything else that captures your interest, builds on your strengths and affords you the kind of environment you need.

Whether or not you decide to tell your employer and/or your fellow employees about your AS, you might ask if you can rely on any of the following services or accommodations which might help you to control the AS traits that could interfere with your job performance. And keep in mind it is important for the employer to realize you are not asking for special compensations that will release you from work responsibilities, but rather special concessions that will help you to do your absolute best work for the company.

(a) ear plugs or stereo headset

(b) sun glasses

(c) word processors

(d) calculators