Jobs (and their environment) are not working for me

[Roy H.]

Hey there. I have been gone for a little while and hopefully some of your remember me. Some of me previous posts regarded my overwhelming concern regarding dealing with people I don't know, or people who after I have got to know, it seems I just can't proceed as normal. Some of you may remember this thread:

Choosing a Career (Or Major) Based on Your Personality - Page 2 - Psychlinks Psychology Self-Help & Mental Health Forum

I guess I just can't seem to get over the dreaded dealing with the co-worker situation. I really prefer not to have to deal with people all day for the next 30 years that I do not want care to even be around. It's not that harsh, really. It's just that I really don't feel comfortable in those situations. I can see eventually where this is headed; either homelessness or suicide. I would like to be a productive member of society, but it's madness having to overcome what seems to come naturally for about 99% of the rest of society.

PS: I guess the thesis of my post here is that I went and lowered myself to a wage I did'nt even want before because I simply wanted a job. It worked for about a week. But then, in addition to thinking about how humiliating it would have been to have been seen by old HS mates after all these years - doing a job HS kids do - I also just didn't feel like the individuals around me thought too good about me. It also seemed like some of the people stared. It seems like I just can't hack it.

 

[ladylore]

Re: Jobs (and their environment) are not working for me.

Hey Roy,

I do indeed remember you. What are some of your passions? Have you ever sat down with an employment counsellor and go through a career exporation program? It may be helpful. Then you will know what you really want to do and the counsellor may be able to help set you in the right direction and with resources to even go back to school if you want. Just a suggestion.

 

[Roy H.]

Re: Jobs (and their environment) are not working for me.

Hey Roy,

I do indeed remember you. What are some of your passions? Have you ever sat down with an employment counsellor and go through a career exporation program? It may be helpful. Then you will know what you really want to do and the counsellor may be able to help set you in the right direction and with resources to even go back to school if you want. Just a suggestion.

Believe it or not, I talked to a Psych doctor a few weeks ago, prior to that job. She had a PhD in Psych and an MBA in Business! I was impressed. She said she could not only help me in my problems with social anxiety (if that's what you call it) but also with her credentials, that she could possibly work with me to pursue employment options. I never went back to the next appointment because I felt I did not connect with her as much as the $$$ tag would suggest. I came home with the idea that my "issue" is basically to be dealt with through toughing it out. I know that's not the case, nor did she make it out to be, but the prices she charged bothered me.

 

[ladylore]

Re: Jobs (and their environment) are not working for me.

employment career programs are usually free. Look in the yellow pages under careers and call up one of the temp agencies and ask them for your local career centre. It doesn't need to cost money to get a job. Unless you want to start your own business.

 

[Roy H.]

Okay. I'm starting a new job tonight, and it is through a temp agency. It is manufacturing work, although I have an Associates (Nothing ) degree, I need employment, ASAP. Do you have any idea how the "temp" thing works? Do they sign you on for so many months and then the company decides if they like you or not? Just curious, and thanks for any help. :dimples:

 

[David Baxter PhD]

I think that varies with the assignment... some are for maternity or other short term leaves, some are for peak-period busy times where they require short-term staff, some are for new jobs where they haven't yet got budget approval to advertise it as permanent. In any case, I do know of people who have been offered full time employment after working as a temp in an oprganization.

 

[Banned]

I used to do temp work in a variety of capacities, and there are so many pluses to it - it is great! Temp work is great because if you end up at a crappy company, you know it's not for long, if you don't like the people you work with, it's not for long. You can work in a variety of areas and find out which ones you like and which ones you don't, which can help you narrow down your search for full time employment. Sometimes you can be offered full time employment at a company you're temping at. The temp agency does the searching for you - only one interview and endless opportunities!! Temping has so many advantages...it really is a great way to go.

Sometimes they tell you at the outset how long they need you for (as short as a few days, as long as a few months or a year) and other times it's indefinite...could end at any point based on the employer's needs.

Good luck!

 

[Halo]

My only experience was that I started working with a temp position, went on my first work assignment, stayed temp for 5 months then got offered full time and have been with the company now 10 years. Temp work is definitely great as BG said, it lets you test the waters at different places or even one place before committing.

Good luck and let us know how it goes
:goodluck:

 

[Roy H.]

Thanks for the replies.

The temp. thing sounds like it might be the ticket. Try several things until you find your niche. I guess I will find out how this works tonight (3rd shift).

Post again soon.

Regards.

 

[Mari]

I liked temp work when I did it and was also offered full time positions. I did not accept any as I was not wanting full time work at the time. Also good-luck. :dimples: Mari

 

[Roy H.]

0 for 1. Wow, that was quick. This is one of the worst experiences of my life. I went into the warehouse and the daily routine was to break into units to various parts of the processing place. The first day I was in a group of about 5, manufacturing various parts. Prior to starting, I pretty much felt sick, had a racing heart, nerves of glass, the whole 9. I went through the first day and saw that of the 2 dozen or so people that work there overnight, that they were a pretty cohesive unit - everybody knows everybody type thing - and I felt doomed from the start. I am a private person who does not like all the gosip that comes with working in units. Not to digress, I contacted the temp. agency and pretty much said I would prefer something else, so I wrote a notice yesterday. Finally, I went in yesterday and I was in a group of 3, and it was pretty much their deal, all the way. I felt nervous, anxious...just bad being in that situation altogether. Well, I got through that night and the temp. agency called me to tell me no need to go back because they have no need to train me if I put a notice. The temp. agency said I am also still on good terms with them for further options, but I must say, this is a MAJOR jolt to my ego. A sad day for me.

To make a thesis of (above) paragraph, It really feels like rigor mortis sets in when I get into groups of people that I don't know, and even when I do get to know them, it doesn't change very much. It's like I get mental paralyzation or something. This is so bad.

I really think I may need to find a job where I am outside doing my own thing (driving a truck or something). I thought I had grown out of this type of behavior. If something positive doesn't happen soon, I'm a dead man.

 

[Halo]

Roy,

Although this experience may not have been a pleasurable one for you, I think that it may have taught you something. It has confirmed or brought to light the fact that you really don't like to work in groups and would probably prefer a job which is more solitary. I think finding this out by doing the temp work is exactly why a lot of people do temp work to begin with. To find what they like and don't like. Now that you know that group settings are not your thing, hopefully you can find some temp work doing a job that doesn't involve lots of people.

I would say that it was quite the learning experience and a valuable one for your future.

 

[Roy H.]

Roy,

Although this experience may not have been a pleasurable one for you, I think that it may have taught you something. It has confirmed or brought to light the fact that you really don't like to work in groups and would probably prefer a job which is more solitary. I think finding this out by doing the temp work is exactly why a lot of people do temp work to begin with. To find what they like and don't like. Now that you know that group settings are not your thing, hopefully you can find some temp work doing a job that doesn't involve lots of people.

I would say that it was quite the learning experience and a valuable one for your future.

That's really the only way I feel I can see it. That, or I need to talk to a Doctor about this overwhelming fear that accompanies activities that probably 90% of people have no problem doing whatsoever.

 

[Halo]

Maybe talking to a therapist wouldn't be a bad thing either. If it is really affecting your life in more areas than just work, it probably would be helpful to address it.