I am stuck

[Princess Luna]

I am 20, still live with my parents, and have never had a job. I hope by next fall to move out, but I need a job first and this is where the problem comes in. I have no references at all. I have Aspergers, was home-schooled, and live in a rural area. I had one friend but we stopped talking to each other about a month ago and 98% of my social inaction, not involving my family, is though the internet. In order to get out of this situation I need a job so I can move out, but when filling applications I don't know what to put when it says *list 2 references, no family members* I am looking for minimum-wage jobs at places like fast-food restaurants, if I leave the references blank will it drasticly affect my chances of being hired?

[dodger]

Hello Karmorda, do you play sports or had a coach? A pastor or local government official. Even a relative with a different surname, might assist. Local sheriff!!! I hate forms, as most people. Interviews reduce most people to blubbering wrecks. The more you attend the easier it gets though. Good luck....Don't eat all the profits, you'll get fired.

[Leonid Brozhnev]

I used to use references from school and college, but they didn't do anything for employers. I had to volunteer full time for 13 weeks to get some other references before I was actually hired by anyone for minimum wage. You could try volunteering for a bit... there's a good amount of time between now and next fall.

[Искра]

You could actually get a job without references because bosses then know that you are new and they can exploit you better (because you don't know rights, you don't have experience etc.). But I don't see why should you be despair because you don't have a job at age of 20. A lot of people here can't find their first job at the age of 28-30, because of unemployement... When I got my first job I didn't have any references, what so ever... They've just asked me what do I expect from job and I said "money".

[piet11111]

Volunteer work would be the way to go.

I kinda envy you though i live in a tourist area and houses are very expensive (250K+ euro's for an average home that is not a drafty barn and rental has waiting lists of ~ 12 years as i am not in a priority category) so essentially i will be forced to live with my parents until i am able to move in with someone.

And a 26 year old guy living with his parents and has a minimum wage job is not exactly what the women here go for :(

[Franz Fanonipants]

you are 20

you are not stuck

[Decolonize The Left]

I am 20, still live with my parents, and have never had a job. I hope by next fall to move out, but I need a job first and this is where the problem comes in. I have no references at all. I have Aspergers, was home-schooled, and live in a rural area. I had one friend but we stopped talking to each other about a month ago and 98% of my social inaction, not involving my family, is though the internet. In order to get out of this situation I need a job so I can move out, but when filling applications I don't know what to put when it says *list 2 references, no family members* I am looking for minimum-wage jobs at places like fast-food restaurants, if I leave the references blank will it drasticly affect my chances of being hired?

Your best bet is to side-step the application process.

First, work your parent's contacts. Tell them that you want a job and explain the situation of no references. Tell them that you want them to ask their friends/co-workers/relatives to help you find a job. These people already have connections and can most likely get you a foot in the door.

Second, go to a small local store and talk to the owner. Tell him/her that you want a job, have no history of work, but are committed to saving money and have to start somewhere. S/he will most likely understand your position, and will probably say they have nothing available. Tell them that that's fine, but you would appreciate it if they kept their eyes open for you.

Third, apply to the big stores with the applications. Get references from friends of family (people's parents who you home-schooled with), and blanket the stores with your applications.

And finally, dress and conduct yourself appropriately. You should be clean-shaven, in a collared shirt (preferably with a tie) with clean pants (no jeans) and clean shoes. You should give a firm and confident handshake and carry yourself upright and with confidence and pride. This makes all the difference. An employer is more likely to hire someone they think is productive with no experience than someone they don't think is productive with past experience.

You can do it. Just be confident in yourself and your ability to change your situation and make it happen. You will get rejected - it's ok. Just move on to the next best place and try again.

- August