My first "job" was waiting tables some cleaning, napkin folding and occasionally helping to make bread or run an errand at my Dad's Italian restaurant. I got to eat as much as I wanted, I loved the people including the customers, the tips weren't bad and when things got slow I would sometimes play a round or two on the Pacman machine up front. It was basically handed to me and I got to do some things you wouldn't typically get to do so I don't think I can entirely count it. But it did teach me important social skills which didn't come easily to me as an individual with Autism and came in handy for when I did get my first "job" which I will mention in a moment.

 

My Dad eventually had to sell his restaurant due to him getting kidney failure and has changed hands several times since then and the food unfortunately has not been as good. So my second "job" which barely counts was also handed to me though this organization that helps disabled people called Community Interface Services was a job at this place called Take a Break scrubbing coffee pots. I was there for several months or maybe a year at most, it was tedious and boring but having a little extra cash didn't hurt.

 

My first job I got myself was at a grocery store, I found out from my social worker that *insert company name here* was hiring so I decided to take that opportunity to apply. It took three tries until I was hired, the first time I was interviewed by the assisstant manager who was a stocky, muscular fairly imposing man and I was so nervous I barely even got a single word out and sort of screwed that one up. The second time was at a neighboring store in the same district I was denied a second chance because apparently I re applied a bit sooner than their policy allows so that was also a wash out. The third and final time I went back to the store I originally applied at and this time was interviewed by the manager who was a very kind and friendly woman who would later become one of my biggest allies.

 

A few days later I got a call that I was hired and instructed to pick up my uniform and report to orientation and food safety training. After that was said and done I started my first job that I had to go get myself at the service deli. When it came to making sandwhiches, cooking chickens and other prep work I did okay but when it came to serving customers I got nervous and panicked a bit too much so I was a General Merchandise Clerk shortly afterword and went from slicing and service deli meats and chicken to stocking beer, water, bread, crackers, cookies, chips and a few other things. I quickly became one of the best GMC's and most well respected employees in the store and was in less than a year promoted to Food Clerk and was also made a backup dairy clerk.

 

After a few too many knee injuries I was taken off of my 4AM shifts that started after my promotion and for a while I mainly faced up the store and after management was confident enough I was made a 2nd dairy clerk. A year or two after that I transferred to another store in the district in part due to not getting along with this new manager and that store being closer to my new house and have been at that store since. After transferring I was made a backup produce clerk and because of a shortage of employees did a little bit of everything. I was eventually once again made a 2nd dairy clerk and despite my misgivings was made a backup checker which I am doing everything in my power to change because I am the worst checker in that whole dang store. So that is pretty much where I am at now I hope I didn't put you all to sleep with my wall o text.

Source: First Jobs?