[size=18][b]Coping: A Survival Guide for People with Asperger Syndrome[/b][/size]
[b]Jobs and Interviews[/b]
[list]
[*]In an interview [i][url=http://www-users.cs.york.ac.uk/%7Ealistair/survival/bodylanguage.html]body language[/url][/i] is extra important and you want to look confident and relaxed. You are also expected to sit still with your arms by your side or on your lap and a good posture and this might be an effort for you. You are expected to speak clearly and professionally.
[*]First impressions are extremely important.
[*]Prepare as many possible answers for as many possible questions as you can but don't over rehearse or rigidify your answers. It is good to get help at this stage.
[*]Know what your skills and talents are.
[*]The interviewer will often drop you a few [b]hints[/b] towards the end of the interview (using mainly [i][url=http://www-users.cs.york.ac.uk/%7Ealistair/survival/bodylanguage.html]body
language[/url][/i]) to let you know whether you are likely or unlikely to get the job.
[*]There are courses and classes around which teach interview technique.
[*]All the same rules apply in the workplace as they do anywhere else; but the one difference is that there is something at stake, your job. This means it is extra important to keep a clean slate or you might be a target for [b]scape-goating[/b] which is a very nasty threat to your job (see [i][url=http://www-users.cs.york.ac.uk/%7Ealistair/survival/distortions.html]Distortions of the truth[/url][/i]).
[*]If in doubt keep quiet. This is often seen as a good quality in the office.
[*]Like it or not, as an autistic person or someone with Asperger syndrome some jobs will be more suitable than
others. Examples are as follows:
[/list][table:474a border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="3" width="100%"] [tr:474a valign="TOP"] [td:474a width="50%"] [b]
Suitable jobs[/b]
[/td] [td:474a width="50%"] [b]
Unsuitable jobs[/b]
[/td] [/tr] [tr:474a valign="TOP"] [td:474a width="50%"]
Graphic designer
Computer programmer
Computer technician or operator
Research scientist
Medical research scientist
Architect
Pharmacist
[b](Which are respected professions which generally take
place in environments with people who tend to be perhaps just a
little bit more accepting of the needs of those who worry. Please
note that I have specifically chosen to show quite difficult
careers here and there are plenty of easier careers available.)[/b]
[/td] [td:474a width="50%"]
Salesman
Manager
Solicitor or lawyer
Police officer
Doctor, dentist or health inspector
Secondary school teacher
Airline pilot
[b](All of which can be highly stressful and competitive
occupations that involve making difficult decisions and
compromises under intense pressure from other people; some also
involve using and interpreting body language in a subtle way.)[/b]
[/td] [/tr][/table]
[list]
[*]In the workplace, everyone is usually under a constant struggle to keep their jobs. This means being organised and methodical all the time to avoid confusing situations. Good communication is very important.
[*]Sad as it may seem, devious games can occur in the work place and sometimes you might feel great compassion for someone else who is on the verge of losing their job unfairly. However, to defend them can often be putting your own job at risk as well. If you do wish to defend someone against a higher authority first ask yourself whether it is worth the risk.
[*]Be on the lookout for the 'authoritarian personality'. These are people who tend to be very much bound by the rule-book, very respectful of higher authority, bossy to junior staff and quite hard to reason with. What really needs to be remembered is the fact that these people can often be much more cunning than they look.
[*]If you are doing your own research you may find yourself in a situation where you wish to patent copyright or create proof of ownership of a piece of work you have produced. The easiest thing to do is to make a copy, seal it in an envelope and post it to your home address. It gets the date stamped on it in the post. Don't open the envelope when it arrives but keep it sealed and stored away in a safe place. Recorded delivery may be more reliable and legally airtight. Also, keep any notes you have written whilst producing your work. You now have legal proof that it is your work and should not have to worry too much about it falling into the wrong hands.
[*]You tend to meet three different kinds of people in life, Meek, Assertive and Aggressive. Aim to be the [b]assertive[/b] type.
[/list]
[table:474a border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="3" width="100%"] [tr:474a valign="TOP"] [td:474a width="30%"]
[b]Meek[/b]
[/td] [td:474a width="37%"] [b]
Assertive[/b]
[/td] [td:474a width="34%"] [b]
Aggressive[/b]
[/td] [/tr] [tr:474a valign="TOP"] [td:474a width="30%"]
Looks down.
Keeps his fists clenched (a closed
signal).
Often speaks too quietly.
Steps backwards when spoken to.
Has a weak handshake.
Is easily put down by others.
Is often angry with himself for
allowing others to take advantage of him.
Is shy and withdrawn in company.
Cannot accept compliments.
Says 'oh dear!' and 'sorry' too much.
[/td] [td:474a width="37%"]
Has an upright but relaxed stance.
Maintains eye contact when
listening or speaking (for over two thirds of the time) looking at
faces as a whole.
Has a firm handshake but not too
firm.
Is able to say 'no' when needs
must.
Can express his true feelings.
Is interested in other people's
opinions as well as his own.
Tries to treat everyone as equals.
[/td] [td:474a width="34%"]
Stands still with stiff, rigid
posture.
Keeps his arms folded.
Shouts and points finger.
Bangs desk or table.
May give eye contact almost the
whole time he is speaking (looking straight into the eyes).
Is better at talking than at
listening.
Likes telling others what to do.
Thinks his own opinion is always
right.
Likes to tell other people they're
useless.
Tends to make himself quite lonely because people feel they
have to be careful around him.
[/td] [/tr][/table]
All posthumous credit goes to Marc Segar - the link to the site is here: [b] [url=http://www-users.cs.york.ac.uk/%7Ealistair/survival/index.html]
http://www-users.cs.york.ac.uk/~alistair/survival/index.html[/url][/b]
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