Social Anxiety and seeking a part-time job.

LegacyUser

Going unregistered for this.

Just a bit of background. I'm a young lad in college at the moment. I currently live at home with my parents and siblings, and my parents pretty much pay my way. Since a very young age I have suffered from Social Anxiety Disorder, and of course I have to deal with its implications still, even to this day.

The general meat of the problem is that I'm a young adult, and have never had a part-time job. For the past two years this is something I've wanted to do, and it would be nice if I could just pay my way a little, and even throw a few bob toward my parents too. Unfortuantely, because of my social anxiety, I have developed an almost phobia to doing this. Its the walking around talking to people and managers and handing out cv's and stuff that scares me. I'm quite aware that its quite an irrational response to something that everyone should be able to do.

For the past year or so I've been undergoing self-help CBT (Cogntive Behaviour Therapy) in an effort to overcome my SA. For the most part, I've been able to change the way I think about the whole job situation, but now I have to impliment the Behavioural side of this and get out there and DO IT. This is something I'm dead set on doing, and while I find it terrifying I know it needs to be done.

What I'm asking I guess is what is the best way to approach getting a part-time job. While I know I'll have to deal with the nerves and stuff, are there any helpful ways to try and ease the process, and maybe increase the chances of me getting employed. Working in a supermarket might be the best place to start I guess.

You'll have to forgive me but I feel quite embarrassed asking how to do this. But I really would appreciate any advice or tips to make it all a bit less daunting.

wylo

The problem here isnt the job, so im not going to tell you what to do to apply for a job, the problem is the SA.

SA is basically nonsense thoughts and stories injecting a ridiculous amount of adrenalin through your body giving a perceived fear. If you actually examined the thoughts that were causing this you would realize they have no foundation, most of it is "the fear of the fear".

Its time you tackled SA head on once and for all.
A few options:

1. Look up Claire Weekes , try and read her books, shes passed away now but her stuff is quality.

2. Seriously, get on the case with CBT, make it your number one priority.

3. Read this... a technique that personally changed my life when I cracked it...http://theselfisfalse.blogspot.com/p/what-do-i-do.html
http://markedeternal.blogspot.com/p/start-here.html
go here and do the experiments (exp 1, exp 2 linked at the top of the page)

4. Read someone like Eckart Tolle, learn how thoughts are running your life.

Sorry I know this doesnt address your direct problem with trying to get a job, but seriously, you got priorities, get this SA sorted dude!!

Miss Fluff

Mr. Job wrote: »

Unfortuantely, because of my social anxiety, I have developed an almost phobia to doing this. Its the walking around talking to people and managers and handing out cv's and stuff that scares me..

The above is not necessarily representative or par for the course when jobhunting so perhaps you need to reassess your tactics on how to physically go about looking for work.

If you are looking for a part-time role I think you should get a good CV together, write an absolute stormer of a cover letter (and you write very well by the way ) and that in turn should then help you get to the interview stage/an invitation to come in and see how you get on. A lot more constructive and proactive than aimlessly handing in CVs and terrifying the bejaysus out of yourself in the process!

It's not a sprint, it's a marathon. Continue to work on your CBT but start drawing up a list of companies you would like to work for, send in good applications for them and then follow up initially by phone. I think you'll get better results this way.

Have you considered going on some form of medication, alongside your therapy? I used to suffer terribly from anxiety - with almost everything, but mostly from social situations. I always felt more comfortable at home than out doing something. My anxiety would lead to dismissive feelings about myself, which in turn would spiral out of control, bordering on depression. After a really bad night/morning, I realized enough was enough and went to a GP and got prescribed Lexapro.

Instead of getting a part time job, why not look for some form of volunteering or maybe an internship? These both will be unpaid, but at least you'll slowly build on your CV. Plus seemingly companies love to see people who have volunteered (as I was told my a lecturer of mine who worked in the hiring department of a relatively large computer company)