Navigating Unemployment as a Neurodivergent Person
The job market is tough. Hundreds of applications, endless hours on CVs, letters and filling in redundant boxes of employment histories when you already uploaded a full resume. Finding a job is daunting and especially for neurodivergent individuals. After mustering the motivation to start and spending precious energy navigating systems designed for neurotypical brains, the experience can quickly become tedious, overwhelming, and even discouraging.
www.freepik.com
Networking is key, or so they say. Yet, for many neurodivergent individuals, engaging in small talk can feel exhausting and deeply uncomfortable. The social implications of interviews can be a challenge, especially for autistics who can struggle with the emphasis of social skills and the ambiguity from many recruitment processes. Then add in the perseverance needed to continue the search while waiting for responses that often never come and can bring up feelings of rejection, something many ND people are especially sensitive to. No wonder it is hard to keep a positive attitude.
Chances are, neurodivergent people are more likely to be on the hunt for jobs. Autistics are known to be underemployed and in many countries suffer from higher percentages of unemployment. In 2021 only 29% of people with autism in the UK were reported as being employed. A labor market study in Sweden found that “young adults with ADHD had a 70% higher risk of long-term unemployment compared to the matched comparison group”. It can be challenging for some neurodivergent people to keep long-term employment due to social conflicts, under stimulation or lack of necessary accommodations. ADHDers, who crave spontaneity and novelty might be found bouncing around different jobs or careers in an attempt to stimulate their dopamine deficit. People who are autistic, ADHD or both often benefit from routine and structure, so the instability and uncertainty created by unemployment can be frustrating.
But it's not all doom and gloom. Many times, employers are on the hunt for the skill set that many neurodivergents posses. Creativity runs deep in the ND community, along with problem solving, attention to detail and innovation. The list is endless and these strengths are undeniable and publications like Forbes and the Harvard Business Review have recognized that hiring inclusively is highly advantageous and can contribute to a company’s success long-term. Finally, the value that neurodivergent employees bring to organizations is starting to be recognized. At the end of the day, hiring a neurospicy employee is just smart business. Period.
If you are a neurodivergent job seeker, know that you are not alone. Keep at it and check out my blog post “6 Tips for Neurodivergent Job Seekers”. If you are looking for more individualized support navigating unemployment, contact me to set up a complimentary call to see if it coaching is right for you.