How does somebody with weak social skills find an employer who's ok with that?

[AndAHappyNewYear]

I've been doing AAT with the hope of having a career but there's such a big emphasis on excellent communication/interpersonal skills in job adverts that I've only applied for two jobs in 18 months. One offered me an interview and I withdrew my application in a panic over the possibility of having to talk about a time when I communicated well.

I've always struggled socially and I had a really bad experience in my first job where people talked about how shit I was behind my back, extensively, for months, making a big list of minor issues, rather than mention them to me. Then, when I left, my boss's boss told me I should get a job where I could sit in a room on my own all day. It badly knocked the little confidence that I had.

My current job in retail, nobody cares that my social skills aren't the best and I'm very nervous about the idea of leaving a job that's fine for the unknown. But I can't imagine stacking shelves in 10, 20, 30+ years time.

I don't properly fit in anywhere and I never have but how do I figure out whether a potential employer is going to be ok with somebody who's on the edge of the team rather than part of it?

Good luck OP. I'm sure in real life, as on here, that you come over as modest, competent and not arrogant. Those qualifications get you interviews.

Ultimately, employers are hiring you for your ability to do the job.

The very best communicator would be of absolutely no use if the job was not done completed properly, colleagues would only tolerate them for a very short while.

The work is the priority by a long way.

Don't worry - I'd rather employ someone who is lacking at social skills but can actually DO the work than someone who is mr/miss popular with everyone but can't even do a simple task properly. A lot of employers will see it like that too.