to ask for ideas on how to get a job without needing to interview for it?

[MaskedGoldfish]

Long story, but essentially I'm having to face up to the Catch-22 that I will never get a job in my sector due to abysmal interview skills (neurodiversity/MH-related, so no form of coaching/training/simulations has ever helped), and that I can't go freelance until I've gained some employment history and contacts within the field. And of course, it's Covid, so nobody really is advertising anyway.

So, what sectors might I be able to get into? I'm degree-educated up to PhD, and not afraid of re-training. I've also done plenty of manual jobs in the past, too, though, and don't mind getting my hands dirty. I would consider anything not involve driving (no license) or sex work (no judgment, but not for me) or exploiting others (ruling out eg MLMs). I'm quite good at making crafted tat and shite, but not quite good enough for FB selling etc.

So being unable to interview, what could I do?

Hopeful bump.

What is your field that you are trained in first of all?

I daren't specify, sorry.

If we don't know what you're trained in, OP, how are we supposed to suggest suitable roles for you? Bit of a pointless post, tbh.

Proof reading?

@MaskedGoldfish

Long story, but essentially I'm having to face up to the Catch-22 that I will never get a job in my sector due to abysmal interview skills (neurodiversity/MH-related, so no form of coaching/training/simulations has ever helped), and that I can't go freelance until I've gained some employment history and contacts within the field. And of course, it's Covid, so nobody really is advertising anyway.

So, what sectors might I be able to get into? I'm degree-educated up to PhD, and not afraid of re-training. I've also done plenty of manual jobs in the past, too, though, and don't mind getting my hands dirty. I would consider anything not involve driving (no license) or sex work (no judgment, but not for me) or exploiting others (ruling out eg MLMs). I'm quite good at making crafted tat and shite, but not quite good enough for FB selling etc.

So being unable to interview, what could I do?

Do you have a diagnosis? I'm not asking for details, just whether you have a doctor who would comfortably say you are neurodiverse.

If there is a medical reason why you are not good at interviews, but that does not detract from your ability to do a job well, then you need to ask for reasonable adjustments when interviewing. Some employers, like local government, will give you a guaranteed interview if you meet their criteria and declare a disability - and they will then put in place adjustments so you're not disadvantaged by the interview format.

I think you would be much better off trying to address the interview point than looking for a completely different job just to dodge the selection process. Especially when you won't tell us what you're actually experienced in - it's really going to limit the advice we can give you.

Surely self employment ?

If there is a medical reason why you are not good at interviews, but that does not detract from your ability to do a job well, then you need to ask for reasonable adjustments when interviewing. Some employers, like local government, will give you a guaranteed interview if you meet their criteria and declare a disability - and they will then put in place adjustments so you're not disadvantaged by the interview format

This. I have issues with interviews due to neurodiversity but going through a guaranteed interview scheme really helps because at least you can tell them in advance what you need (in my case, more time and questions potentially rephrased)

If you have a diagnosis that could count you as disabled, you are entitled to ask for a reasonable adjustment in a recruitment process. This could be given a work simulation, trial shift or different type of interview.

Sign up at an agency, so you interview with them

The agency sends you to short term job placements or something a bit longer term

This can lead to a permanent job once a vacancy becomes available & people get to know you

PS
I've worked with people with a variety of disabilities/diversities, some not obvious at first

Don't give up !

Royal Mail, Amazon, Uber eats, deliveroo, Tesco warehouse....... all these jobs you just turn up, show you’re a living, breathing human and you’ve got the job.
You could start low and work up if you really feel you can’t interview.

I sent my ID documents by email this afternoon and I start with the Royal Mail on Monday morning, for Xmas work........

Did you do your phd prior to these mental health problems OP? I agree it would be easier if you just told us what area your studies are in?

I was going to suggest a temp agency too.
The comments above about reasonable adjustments to interview/selection process are worth looking into as well.

Currently, lots of roles will be interviewing over zoom rather than face to face - do you feel differently about that?

What is your phd in @EveryDayIsADuvetDay ? Have you have your Neurodiversity/MH Issues all of your life?

Sorry @EveryDayIsADuvetDay I meant to tag the OP!

@MaskedGoldfish did you always have these issues? It would be very helpful to know what your phd is in as pp's are saying! Help would be more focused then.

I worked as agency for my current job, after 3 months they gave me a contract, turned out well for us, i have annualized hours, i start at 6am, if i wanted to start at 9 i can, great for childcare

@yolopolo sadly no PhD yet

@EveryDayIsADuvetDay never say never eh! 👍🤣

We don't need to know your exact PhD topic, but if you could suggest a broad field such as literature or biology, that would help... or even tell us what your UG degree is in.

@MaskedGoldfish

Hopeful bump.

What is the point of hoping someone will answer when you totally refuse to answer the reasonable questions that people ask you to help you?

You hold a PhD? How did you complete the viva if you can't interview?

@Moondust001 that is the EXACT question I have been wanting to ask? Thought I would ask if OP has always had her issues first though to clarify...I'm really wondering why she can do a viva but not a 15-20min interview!

My PhD viva was one of the longest my department has ever known, because I kept asking to pause to calm down, go for quick walk etc. They were kinder and gentler than any interviewer would ever be! (I know that because I then faced one of them months later at an interview, and he ate me alive for being slow and shaky)

Essentially, my PhD is in an very abstract area of philosophy, so not vocationally ideal.

So if you have a PhD in Philosophy you’ll have great writing and research skills—what are your office skills like, are you comfortable e.g. In meetings? Because this will have a big impact on what kind of job to go for—as others have said, if it’s just interviews that are the problem and you get a disagnosed disability, they will make alternative measures for you in most decent workplaces.