Trouble Communicating With Job Placement

[Matthew74]

I just earned my A+ IT certification (I'm 42 years old). I am working with a job placement counselor at the school. She means well, but doesn't really understand that I have some basic limitations. She's trying a little too hard to place me in jobs that aren't a good fit. I'm having a hard time getting her to understand what I need. It's important that I don't take a job I don't want. (I have been doing that for years...that's why I got certified.) I'm new to IT but I'm smart and learn quick. I'm the only one from my training program that was able to pass certification.

Basically, it's simple. I want a job with an organization that has an in-house IT staff. It has to be accessible without a car, because I can't drive. I don't think she has any idea what this means. She doesn't understand not driving. She thinks something convenient by car is "close". I've tried explaining.

She also seems to be treating me somewhat as a juvenile (I look young for my age). She seems to think I need a "first job", when what I need is a good permanent job that I feel good about. I understand options are limited, and that I am "starting over", but I'm not fresh out of college. I'm 42, have had a variety of jobs, and have a master's degree. She has a hang up about "years of experience in IT". As far as she is concerned, I have less than one year of work experience.

So, basically I'm stuck working with her. I'm ok with that, but I need to figure out how to get her to understand. I am not going to tell her about my epilepsy, and don't want do make an issue of my back surgery. I have to be careful about saying "no" to applying or interviewing for jobs, because I don't want to seem difficult, and she is trying to be helpful. (I have tried saying "no".) She doesn't understand why a certain job is unsuitable, even when I explain. I told her about jobs I applied for and was interested in, but she doesn't seem to take it seriously.

She needs to understand about location, and that I am not looking for a "first" job.

It's very stressful. Any ideas?

 

[Porkette]

Hi Matt,

My advice to you is to her know that you have epilepsy. I did this with each job I applied to and let the employer know about it that way they couldn't hold it against me if I had a seizure on the job.
I've been working in public school for 32 yrs. as a teacher aide in special education. I have never been able to drive but I found a way to get back and forth to work with my husband, co worker or taking the bus.
If it were me as I mentioned I would tell her about the seizure and let her know what kind of work you are interested in. I don't know if you would like working in public school but I think it would be a good idea and you would get good benefits also. I wish you the best of luck and May God Bless You!

Sue

 

[Nakamova]

Matt --

Can you write down your list of job priorities, and bring it to your meetings with her? And make sure she understands why they are important to you before leaving the meeting. Sometimes people to need to hear things more than once, and a face-to-face discussion plus a written reminder can be a good way to make sure they understand what you are trying to communicate.

 

[Matthew74]

Thank you!

Nakamova: I will try writing something down for her. I tried emailing her about my requirements before and it didn’t go well, but with a few weeks and an interview or two, I can try again in person to be more specific. For now I am just going to run with whatever she gives me (within reason), and not worry about it. That way she won’t feel like we are at odds. Ultimately, I don’t have to take a job if it really doesn’t suit. I might talk to her again about it in a few weeks.

Sue: I hadn’t thought of primary or secondary schools, but they must have IT people too (I did think of colleges). I have a background in education, so that is a possibility. I tutor part time at Sylvan.