[solaced]

I have a very shaky employment history due to not being able to handle jobs and leaving them without notice. My full resume looks terrible. When I omit any jobs that I didn't have for at least 6 months, it has 2 jobs on it (and I'm 32) with huge gaps in employment. I haven't even been able to get an interview in the 9 months I've been unemployed now. I'm wondering if anyone else has a similar problem, and if they've find a way to deal with it. Also any tips on jobs that are good/low-stress for Borderlines would be great, too!

[ChaoticMess19]

I don't really have any suggestions but I will tell you that you are not alone. I, too, have a horrible work history. Longest job I have held was nearly 4 years and I will be 35 next month. I recently lost my current job last week. I kept it for a year and a half. I have a problem taking things and I cannot focus. I have tried all career fields. I am high functioning and very sociable. Landing a job comes pretty easy for me however it isn't long until I start to just unravel. I need a job soon but for now I am trying to focus on me for a minute. I hope it helps to know you're not alone. I'm sorry I don't have any suggestions.

[solaced]

I'm very sorry to hear about your recent job loss. And thank you for responding, it helps to know I'm not alone!

[Harmacy]

I've got an awful work history too. Spells of unemployment and so many jobs I've walked out of, I've lost count. Also the odd meltdown with sudden loud verbal outbursts (I'm usually very quiet).

I've been in the same job now for the last 2 years (I'm 39) and this is after spending some spells thinking I'd never stay in a job that long ever again. I've had a couple of times when I almost lost control but managed to get out and leave the situation in time.

Have you tried the public sector (local government etc) they tend to be more compassionate about health issues of all sorts and the culture can be better than the profit driven private sector (although it all depends on the people). Depends what sort of work you usually do though, I tend to work office jobs and don't have any experience of anything else. I think if I ever leave my current job though I'm going to try a non office environment but as office jobs go, it isn't too bad.

[misfit77]

I don't have that problem, but I am in Employment Counsellor, so I think I can probably give you some good advice.

1. Depending on where you live, check to see if there are free employment services in your area. I am in Canada and work for a free government employment service. People like me are trained to help. Sometimes there are special programs for people suffering from mental illness to help them keep jobs.

2. When it comes to your resume try using a functional format instead of the standard chronological. It's a skills based resume designed to grab the employer's attention and draw them away from your job history. I provided a link for you.
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/jobsea...onalresume.htm

3. When you do put dates on your resume leave out the months-just put the years (2011-2014). If you left a job in December of a particular year, it's usually okay to stretch it out to the next year (so if you left in Dec of 2013, just put 2014. Same goes if you started one in early January you can usually put the year before down. It's not 100% truthful I know-but it's not stretching the truth too far. It's one of those things you sometimes have to do.
4. Look into why you left jobs in the past and see what you could have done differently. We all want to walk out sometimes. Look into coping strategies. And ways to deal with the things that have cause you to walk out in the past.

Hope that helps :-)
Misfit


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[The_little_didgee]

I can relate too. I'm 36 and have only ever worked three weeks as a dietary aide, which I absolutely hated. This is humiliating. I can easily keep this a secret, since I am in university.

Work is my greatest fear. The social component of it terrifies me, because my social skills are somewhat deficient. Most jobs require 'desired' social skills that I don't have. I'm a serious and introverted loner. Unfortunately, these traits make it hard for employers to see my strengths. Despite this, I really want to work, even if it is one or two days a week. My only hope seems to be finding a job at my university or through an employment agency that assists people with disabilities.

I ruled out a lot of jobs through volunteer work, like customer service and the food industry. Now, I am looking into behind the scenes jobs that are more suitable to my disposition and strengths. Eventually, I hope to work in a research lab/university. Academia seems to be a lot more accepting of people like me.

[ChaoticMess19]

Originally Posted by misfit77

I don't have that problem, but I am in Employment Counsellor, so I think I can probably give you some good advice.

1. Depending on where you live, check to see if there are free employment services in your area. I am in Canada and work for a free government employment service. People like me are trained to help. Sometimes there are special programs for people suffering from mental illness to help them keep jobs.

2. When it comes to your resume try using a functional format instead of the standard chronological. It's a skills based resume designed to grab the employer's attention and draw them away from your job history. I provided a link for you.
Functional Resume Definition

3. When you do put dates on your resume leave out the months-just put the years (2011-2014). If you left a job in December of a particular year, it's usually okay to stretch it out to the next year (so if you left in Dec of 2013, just put 2014. Same goes if you started one in early January you can usually put the year before down. It's not 100% truthful I know-but it's not stretching the truth too far. It's one of those things you sometimes have to do.
4. Look into why you left jobs in the past and see what you could have done differently. We all want to walk out sometimes. Look into coping strategies. And ways to deal with the things that have cause you to walk out in the past.

Hope that helps :-)
Misfit


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This is helpful to me, too!! Thank you!

[solaced]

Originally Posted by misfit77

I don't have that problem, but I am in Employment Counsellor, so I think I can probably give you some good advice.

1. Depending on where you live, check to see if there are free employment services in your area. I am in Canada and work for a free government employment service. People like me are trained to help. Sometimes there are special programs for people suffering from mental illness to help them keep jobs.

2. When it comes to your resume try using a functional format instead of the standard chronological. It's a skills based resume designed to grab the employer's attention and draw them away from your job history. I provided a link for you.
Functional Resume Definition

3. When you do put dates on your resume leave out the months-just put the years (2011-2014). If you left a job in December of a particular year, it's usually okay to stretch it out to the next year (so if you left in Dec of 2013, just put 2014. Same goes if you started one in early January you can usually put the year before down. It's not 100% truthful I know-but it's not stretching the truth too far. It's one of those things you sometimes have to do.
4. Look into why you left jobs in the past and see what you could have done differently. We all want to walk out sometimes. Look into coping strategies. And ways to deal with the things that have cause you to walk out in the past.

Hope that helps :-)
Misfit


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you SO MUCH!!! This was extremely helpful!!

[Shadow-world]

Solaced, I am sorry that things are tough. I can relate with employment matters.
[I haven't been formally diagnosed with BPD, but have realised that most of the symptoms listed and what people have said on this forum describe me pretty well, too.]

I lost my job because I was triggered a lot in my previous post and in the end they said that I was unable to control my emotions and dismissed me. It was a huge shock. I struggled on the interpersonal front in my previous post, too.

I am currently trying to focus on myself and get myself in a better place and hope to implement techniques I have learnt, especially one or two grounding techniques in the future. I urgently need a job, but sometimes it's more important to be in a better place.

It's just so hard to keep a job when you are on these emotional roller-coaster rides and totally overwhelmed. However, I won't give up and don't want you to give up either.
I hope things get better for you soon.

Thank you, Misfit77, for the advice.