How can I get a job without professional or academic references....? :-(

[Ambi]

So........as many high functioning aspies may have, my past resume is very checkered - random jobs, gaps, etc. So, I get really uncomfortable with asking people to serve as references over and over and over, for random jobs, years and years after I have last seen them, etc. They are really doing this out of sense of inability of saying no, who knows if they are giving good references - it's just not something I want to do anymore, ask these people from a decade ago. One of them finally messed up the last job I applied to, I think, so he's not even an option anymore. Basically, I don't have any reliable academic or professional references. BUT I need a job. Anyone else in this situation? Can anyone else give me advice about how to get a job without providing references? I don't even know if this is possible - every job application I see requires 2 to 3 such references. I'm just wondering if there's some job field that I don't know about which routinely hires people without professional and academic references. Not because I think that's reasonable, but because I'm getting desperate for work.

 

[AustinTheAspie]

For now, you could always start volunteering. You can get pretty good references from wherever you volunteered, since it's considered work even though you don't get paid. I'm in a similar situation; I need to get a job too, only my issue is that the job market in my area is pretty crappy. I've handed out numerous resumes, and not one call back. Luckily, I'm seeing a job coach today, and he said the last time I saw him (which was a few days prior) that he has a buddy in landscaping that might need a few more people for his crew. Good luck to you.

 

[Ambi]

Thanks, Austin. I think my anxiety is clouding my thinking - I do have volunteer opportunities available.

 

[JackSkellington]

You could try work from home jobs. There's many listed online.

 

[Ambi]

You could try work from home jobs. There's many listed online.

I've always wondered if these are legit or a scam. Do you know of reliable websites for these listings?

 

[JackSkellington]

If you are into making stuff- you could open a shop to sell your items on Ebay or Etsy.

Fiverr looks pretty legit too. You can sell a good or service for $5 (or more).

There's also transcribing- but sometimes it doesn't pay well. I've heard it's easy enough though. You just listen to audio and type out what they say. Usually you have a decent time limit, so you can listen a few times.

Do you have Uber (or a similar driving service) in your area? You could drive a cab if you were comfortable.

For random jobs you aren't sure about- do a search on Google (or wherever) to see if it's legit. Generally if it's a scam- many results about people complaining are usually on first page of the search.

I hope some of this helped. I've struggled with work a lot in my life too.

 

[Ambi]

If you are into making stuff- you could open a shop to sell your items on Ebay or Etsy.

Fiverr looks pretty legit too. You can sell a good or service for $5 (or more).

There's also transcribing- but sometimes it doesn't pay well. I've heard it's easy enough though. You just listen to audio and type out what they say. Usually you have a decent time limit, so you can listen a few times.

Do you have Uber (or a similar driving service) in your area? You could drive a cab if you were comfortable.

For random jobs you aren't sure about- do a search on Google (or wherever) to see if it's legit. Generally if it's a scam- many results about people complaining are usually on first page of the search.

I hope some of this helped. I've struggled with work a lot in my life too.

Thanks! This is very helpful.

 

[JackSkellington]

You are welcome. Good luck with finding jobs!