tygeorgiou's journey

I’m currently navigating a tough situation with my employment status. At 19, I’ve dealt with a range of mental health challenges, primarily autism and hypersomnia, which have made finding and maintaining a job quite difficult. After leaving college at 18, I took a night shift at a factory, but it was overwhelming at first. I managed to adapt a bit, but ultimately, I left for another factory job that turned out to be a nightmare. I was overworked, didn’t get proper breaks, and ended up spraining my ankle, which led me to quit after just two days. Now, I find myself unemployed and struggling financially. I’ve exhausted my emergency fund and am even selling off some investments just to get by. I live with my girlfriend and mother, and my monthly expenses are around £850, which includes rent, car insurance, and other necessities. I receive £400 in PIP, which goes to my mum for rent, so I really need to find a job that pays at least £450 a month to feel secure. I’ve thought about delivery driving, but the options are limited due to age restrictions for insurance. I applied to Domino’s for a delivery position but haven’t heard back. I’ve also submitted applications for various warehouse jobs, which I think I could handle better since they involve more solitary work, but I haven’t received any responses. Factory work is the only job I know I can get, but after my last experience, I really don’t want to go back. I’m feeling a lot of pressure to find something soon, but my mental health is suffering. I sleep around 12 hours a night, and if I don’t get enough rest, I struggle to function. Social interactions are tough for me, and I have anxiety that makes being away from home stressful. I did have an interview for a photo assistant position with a fashion brand, which felt like a dream job for me. It would involve working alone, taking photos, and editing, and it was just a short walk from home. They promised to get back to me by Friday, but I haven’t heard anything yet. I’m considering applying for Universal Credit, but I’m torn. I want to work and feel a sense of purpose, but I also feel incapable of holding down a job right now. I worry that claiming UC might make me feel worse about my situation. I’m open to visiting the job center for guidance, but I’m afraid that if I take a job and it doesn’t work out, I’ll lose benefits. I really want to make my dreams come true, especially in photography, but the competition is fierce, and I’m feeling lost. Any advice on how to navigate this would be greatly appreciated.

I have an important interview tomorrow for an assistant photographer position at a fashion retailer, and I'm feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety. I'm 19 and have been working night shifts at a factory for over a year, which has been draining. About a year ago, I interviewed for a similar role at an auction house. I felt it went really well; I had relevant photography experience, and I even went the extra mile by mimicking their photographer's style for my portfolio. The feedback was positive, and they seemed to really like me. However, after weeks of waiting, I learned I didn't get the job, which was disheartening since they had hyped me up. Now, I find myself in a similar situation, and this new role aligns even better with my interests. I have experience in fashion photography and have worked with small fashion brands, plus the location is perfect for me. I've spent the weekend preparing a tailored portfolio and practicing my responses to potential interview questions. I'm reaching out for advice on how to nail this interview. I want to know what could have gone wrong in my last interview that seemed to go perfectly. Can a small mistake really cost you the job? Also, I'm eager to learn how to go the extra mile this time to stand out, as I know these opportunities are rare. Getting this job would mean so much to me and help me get my life back on track.