Jobs for socially awkward people?

**disneysteve** · 09-04-2016, 07:19 PM

Originally posted by james.hendrickson View Post

he does have problems with communication, anger management and quality of work and following deadlines/instructions.

Sounds like a real winner.

I guess the best position for him would be to work by himself in some manner if he can't function adequately in a group setting. Not being able to follow instructions or stick to deadlines would cause trouble working for anyone else. He needs to be his own boss. Even then, the communication and anger issues could be a problem if he has to deal with customers or vendors.

Perhaps what he really needs is to seek professional help for overcoming his challenges.

**kork13** · 09-04-2016, 08:35 PM

double post

**kork13** · 09-04-2016, 08:37 PM

Does he have any notable skills or aptitudes? IT comes to mind, if he's good with computers... skill is far more valued than social prowess. If he's good working with his hands, there's a litany of trades that require relatively little social interaction, such as watch, furniture, or auto repair.

Truck driver (some form of delivery, or commercial freight) might be a perfect fit if he can earn a CDL. Medical/legal/other transcription generally allows for a great deal of flexibility as well. Could also fit as a factory line worker...my little brother recently did that for almost a year, made good pay, and did little more than monitor the machinery & listen to music.

Of course, "quality of work" issues tend to be a problem regardless of the vocation. He may need to figure out/deal with this before anything really works out for him.

**GoodSteward** · 09-05-2016, 06:08 AM

It sounds like there are psychological problems involved. Someone who fails in that many areas at that age sounds like they are having internal conflicts. They need to see someone who can help them understand and sort it out. He sounds like he needs someone to motivate him to improve.

I worked with a man who had several of those issues but was a hard worker. He worked loading semi trucks with building materials for a small wholesale company I was driving for (I did the same work he did as well as drive). I couldn't stand working with that guy, but eventually, we figured things out. He was all the time damaging materials and did not get along with people, but he worked hard and overall did ok. It sounds like he needs to find the right place with a mostly secluded working environment with people who are very laid back.

**scfr** · 09-05-2016, 06:31 AM

What are his strong points or positive attributes?

**Tabs** · 09-05-2016, 02:40 PM

Seriously? Well, maybe graveyard shift security guard somewhere in an empty warehouse? Only requirement there is to be able to read and write basic English and not fall asleep.

**bjl584** · 09-05-2016, 04:53 PM

Sounds like your friend or anyone like him should seek some professional help before looking for work. I don't think he will thrive at any job until he overcomes his mental problems

**GoodSteward** · 09-06-2016, 03:54 AM

My question is how has he survived this long to even have a 20 job history?

**feh** · 09-06-2016, 06:32 AM

Originally posted by james.hendrickson View Post

My friend Mike (not his real name) is super socially incompetent. He is something like 50 years old and has been fired or quit from his last 20 jobs. When he was in the Air Force he got kicked out of a couple of his units for incompetence.

He is not a criminal but he does have problems with communication, anger management and quality of work and following deadlines/instructions.

Thoughts?

Your description is not of someone with poor social skills.

**Nika** · 09-06-2016, 09:02 AM

Ability to get along with people is the most important job skill out there. Nobody wants you if you have anger issues and lack social awareness and flexibility, no matter how competent you may be.

Even if you are a coder working nights from home with no supervision, you still have to deal with people - deadlines have to be met, project requirements will get changed on him, he will have to deal with feedback, make sure your product works with other parts of the project... etc. There is just no way to get around things like that.

Your friend has to realize that in real life certain amount of bs is inevitable and inability to deal with that appropriately is his problem, and he needs to want to change. But if after being fired 20 times, and being at the ripe age of 50 he did not come to that realization, I don't think there is much hope that he will change his personality now.

**DaveInPgh** · 09-06-2016, 09:21 AM

**sv2007** · 09-06-2016, 02:59 PM

Originally posted by disneysteve View Post

Sounds like a real winner.

I guess the best position for him would be to work by himself in some manner if he can't function adequately in a group setting. Not being able to follow instructions or stick to deadlines would cause trouble working for anyone else. He needs to be his own boss. Even then, the communication and anger issues could be a problem if he has to deal with customers or vendors.

Perhaps what he really needs is to seek professional help for overcoming his challenges.

Absolutely. Self employment may be the best situation where he can avoid co-workers if he wants to. Working with people requires, at the bare minimum, respect and team thinking.

**james.hendrickson** · 09-06-2016, 07:36 PM

Thanks guys - therapy might be in order for my friend, but that said I think we might also need to recognize that not everyone is capable of holding down a job, its okay if some people are on public assistance because they simply can't keep it together. Nobody is perfect.

**LivingAlmostLarge** · 09-07-2016, 08:52 AM

get an academic or union job. Hard to get fired.

Jobs for socially awkward people?