Afraid to get a job

[Megson]

Well, I'm sixteen and a sophomore in high school. I agree that it's about time that I get my learners permit and a job.

My setback: I'm not so sure I can handle a job. Not even at some fast food restaurant. I have zero social skills and I may even have some sort of social phobia or social anxiety. I don't go ANYWHERE in public without someone I know there with me, and I definitely can't talk to strangers.

My mom told me to just deal with it. I've tried hinting to her that I could possibly have social anxiety and that maybe I could use some professional help, but she won't listen. She just assumes I'm shy and I need to 'break out of my shell.' I feel like it's not that easy...

ANY tips or advice?

[Syvelocin]

I've found it most helpful to just jump in and think of it as a job and nothing more. It takes a bit to get used to, but after that it sort of becomes just what you have to do. I just took up a second temporary job in a Halloween store, and I'm not experienced with being on the floor and helping people out in that setting. I'm used to being behind a counter and working register. But after you do it for a while, you have less and less of a problem with confidently being able to hold a conversation with customers, helping them out, selling the product. My full-time job is at Starbucks, and the same applies, though it's just a tiny bit different as all jobs vary. I have a different mask for my job, which helps me get over my anxiety. My forte is acting, and I'm incredibly shy and anxious with people I don't know, but I've found that acting I have no issues because it's a mask, it's not really me, it's a character I'm portraying. So I make that the case at work as well, put on a mask, and I find it extremely effective. Reciting the same things as if you're reading your script, you're supposed to talk to them, that's how the "play" goes. And it also helps when you meet people and have friends at work, I find the days I'm working with people I know, I'm more loose and easy going than when I'm working with someone who doesn't talk to me or if I'm the only one working floor at my second job.

[TheMatrix]

If you don't want to work with customers directly, you could ask for a job where you restock shelves or work in a warehouse.

Good luck, though :)

[ImCoolBeans]

Getting a job and being in that environment will most likely benefit you, you'll learn how to talk to people whether you like them or not, you'll learn to work with people you like or dislike, you'll develop a work ethic and you'll also become more independent, which you said is something you currently are not.

[Unique Physique]

Have you considered doing temporary voluntary work instead? It's generally easier to obtain and there's less pressure on you as an employer isn't paying you. It will get you used to the working environment and will go well on your resume for getting future jobs.

That is, unless you really need the money. If you don't want a social based job, have you considered looking into stacking shelves or warehouse as someone already suggested?