Hi there Nightminded

I can relate to your social anxiety issues. I too have felt this way, especially when I was your age, and although my issues might be different from yours, I have found that my anxiety levels have improved a greatr deal with time (I'm now 31) and some work. Someone once told me to embrace the Nike slogan "Just do it", when I started to overthink something or get afraid, and I've found that helpful. Also, and this'll amuse you, humming the 'Mission Impossible' theme when on the way to do something outside my comfort zone. It just lightens my mood a bit.

It's difficult to offer advice about job opportunities, not knowing your background or skills, and being in another country, but how about something web or computer-related? Usually people skills are not a high priority for those jobs. Or library or data capturing work (although be careful of scams with the latter). If you are at college, could you ask a lecturer if they need help with any projects they are working on? It might be easier to ask if you know them, and since they may already be familiar with your work, they may be more inclined to hire you.

Stay positive and proactive, and something will appear.

Wishing you well!

hI..its a very good quality to have and Im sorry you are not seen for this because usualy the confident ones move on...Heres something I did I had to do a test and I thought oh boy Im not going to do well here..The pen leaked..The page that was on the top was wrong..I was getting distracted by this person next to me and put in the wrong answer when he asked me the date I put the date in as an answer..Oh so silly getting flustered..So I sat there and thought ok what can I do..well one question was would you take out your earrings for a job...I put in at the moment I would take out my teeth for a job...I go in for the interview hes sitting in front of me looking through the test and suddenly starts laughing he goes you have made my day and on that comment I go a job..Also I know its nerve wracking but whats the worse thing well hives is not nice but they are just people who have their own insecurities life problems ...so somehow youve got to just beat the others.. another thing to try is dont do letters go to a firm ask to see whoever a manager and go you will give your time for free say a couple of days to show you are hardworking on time..Ok they may not keep you on but its experience and also leave your number and with luck on your side someone leaves you might just get called...Get out there for your family and for you it will become easier ...All the best and Good luck Jokey

HI NightMinded,

Sorry to hear about your recent job loss. Since you are still in school my best advice is to try looking on campus for a job. Some campuses offer work-study programs where you can work and your wages don't count against you for receiving federal financial aid. If your school doesn't offer work study program then you can try regular wage employment on campus.

If your campus is too small for employment opportunities, you can also try stores or restaurants around campus. A lot of college towns hire students for both the school year and the summer.

Temp agencies are also great during the summer. Or night time positions if working in the day is too overwhelming

Since you are hard-working, detail oriented and reliable. It might be a good idea to try what I like to call "background" or "baby-step" jobs.

For example, since anxiety and low confidence is an issue for you, maybe you can try jobs that aren't hectic and demanding for a while until you feel more confident.

Jobs such as a library assistant, a ticket seller (i.e. for school games, or the movies), housekeeping, a custodian, an animal shelter assistant, working in a small shop, coffee shop or bookstore, your campus mail room, or even a errand assistant, delivery assistant, a florist assistant or a courier for a small store are all good types of jobs that can help you build your confidence, for example, you would be working both by yourself and with people at the same time while building your job skills and confidence but not in such an overwhelming way.

Then when you feel ready, you can move up into more demanding jobs or continue building your skills at the job you are comfortable at.

To help build your confidence, there are a lot of great self-esteem building books at the library or on Amazon or at Barnes and Noble if you are pressed for time that you can borrow or buy.

Many of them have great step by step guides for incorporating self-confidence activities in your everyday life, like great self pep-talk tips, or small steps to take to fill more confident like putting your favorite lipgloss in a lipstick case that has a mirror in it. That way when you re-apply your gloss you can look at yourself in the mirror and say positive things mentally like "I am beautiful, I am confident and I can do anything" (I kid you not, I actually read this tip in a self-esteem building book) ^0^

As for building job confidence, if you have to ask for a job application, if you aren't pressed for time, the best time to go would be when the establishment is less busy or packed like in the morning, or like the mid afternoon like 2 or 3 which is after lunch time but is way before the happy hour or dinner time rush.That way you'll be able to try deep breathing techniques and can mentally rehearse w/ confidence what you are going to say w/o having to feel pressured or over crowded by people.

Also, on the interview or during the asking process for a job application, it really helps to try to visualize the person giving the interview is someone familiar to you like a close friend, or neighbor or even your favorite animal or pet if you have one. That way you can stick w/ a positive mind-set during the interview

Lastly, if your anxiety is still effecting your school work and job performance, then be sure to talk to your family doctor about which treatment options he or she feels might work best for you.

Good luck :D

Thank you to ALL who responded. I am going to take the advice of raisondetre and "Just do it", as in, go into employers buildings shameless and ask for a job application. I may not get the job, but I will dye trying!

Thanks also to Jokey with your personal story, and Sweatpea for your advice as well.

Just reading your comments was very calming to me and gave me great hope.

my fingers are so crossed for you...I await the news you have found a job...Keep trying dont give up...I loved my other job so much and cried for the people I worked with missed them so much didnt think I would be able to ever get back what we had..But the temps Im working with are brilliant the best of luck to you Jokey

I might be out in left field. But have you seen a therapist or doctor.
You can take some medication that will help you be more of an extrovert.
I'd start with seeing a therapist.
Good Luck.

Have you tried temporary agencies? They are great for people with social anxiety because you really only have to go on one interview and they find the job for you. There's data entry positions and also customer service rep positions that always seem available. Practice typing skills with a computer program if you need practice. I don't interview well and have always relied on temp agencies to get me through.

For everyone: I just got hired today for another job! :)

Jokey - thank you for your encouragement. I believe you have replied to my posts in the past. You are always very optimistic and helpful for me. I appreciate that!

mgs: I am currently seeing a therapist and against medication (it has had bad effects on my family members). But thank you for your suggestion.

jbradsen: Thank you for the info! I currently have found a job but if I need one again in the future, I will look into temp agencies. Alot of people mention that to me lately - so it must be good.

Thanks again to all who replied - you've been a great help!