Needing Advice from Nerdfighters!

[Cassie H]

Hi everyone!  So, I currently have a dilemmna.  I will be attending post-secondary education in about two weeks, but I need a job and am running low on cash.  I am always fretting.  The reason why I have trouble finding a job, is because I am not sure if I can handle the job.

I have a lot of anxiety issues and memory problems.  I have worked as a cashier before, but I felt like I did a bad job.  Actually, I was fired from a cashier job before.  And I am not sure I can handle fast-paced jobs again.  I mean, if I do get the job and do terrible at as I have done so in the past, I'll just get fired again and end up back in square one.  

I am not sure what to do.  I look at the job postings and read the job descriptions, I think "Nope, don't think I can handle this job."   The firing has scarred me a lot in the past, and I used to have a lot of trouble just applying for one or submitting a resume in person or online.  I have gotten over a lot of it.  And I have applied for 10 jobs already, and haven't really had much success.   2 of the most recent ones, I have just applied so a recruiter may take weeks to respond or review a resume before making call backs, depending on how busy they are. 

In the meantime, I really don't know what I should be doing.  I fill my time with reading and exercising, but I am getting really concerned.  Should I be applying to more jobs, even though I feel they are scarce?  I have school from 9 - 4.30, so I may require flexible hours as well.  I am hoping to land a job to continue throughout the school year. 

I fear being fired again if I worked in a super fast paced environment, all the more reason why an education is so important to me.  I feel like I can't handle the entry level jobs most people are capable of. 

Has anyone been in a similar situation?  I have talked to my therapist about this, and so far the best advice was to continue applying.  But does anyone have another suggestion?

[Dianna]

You shouldn't be worried that you're bad at being a cashier-it's not a very fun job.   Why don't you get a job at your university-like reshelving books in the library?  Or,  look into getting a job at one of the student services offices?   In my experience jobs at university weren't that stressful at all-also they work around your hours.  

[Cassie H]

I actually did apply at the university to reshelve books, but i go to a vocational school that isn't university.  Thanks for the advice, I am thinking about speaking to the career counsellor at my vocational school.

[Cameron Ch.]

I would agree with Diana. University jobs are pretty forgiving about student scheduling. I worked as an English tutor for the writing center for about a year and a half (not bad for an Art major, lol), and it was pretty fun. They'd probably be more relaxed than the cutthroat retail environment can be as well.

[Steph Crandall]

If you have a genuine anxiety problem, sometimes medication is a good option. I've been on anxiety meds for a few years now and it's made a significant difference in my life. I think with that you will feel less anxious about the job situation in general. 

If you're on a campus, I suggest looking for campus positions like a bookstore or market, or like people have suggested, hit up your student services/ career services. If you're going to school full time, a full time job probably isn't the best thing. Tutoring is always a good option. If you've met your advisor, maybe they could even help out.