Autistic people work in every field you can think of: software and science, yes, but also law, teaching, design, care, hospitality and the arts. There is no single “autistic career”. What tends to make the difference is finding work that matches your strengths, interests and the kind of environment you do your best work in, and then getting the right support around you.
This guide is for autistic jobseekers and employees thinking about their next step, whether you are just starting out or changing direction.
Start with your strengths
Many autistic people have a clear sense of what they are good at, even if they have been told to focus on their weaknesses for years. Common strengths include close attention to detail, deep knowledge of a subject, honesty, reliability, pattern spotting and the ability to focus for long periods on something that interests you. Not every autistic person has all of these, and you will have strengths of your own that are not on this list.
Try writing down the tasks you lose track of time doing, the things people come to you for and the subjects you could talk about for hours. Those are strong clues. Our post on turning your passions into a career goes into this in more detail.
Think about environment as well as job title
The same job can feel completely different in two workplaces. A data role in a quiet, well-organised team is not the same as a data role in a noisy open-plan office with constant changes of plan. When you look at roles, consider:
- how much social contact or customer contact the job involves
- whether you would work in an office, at home or a mix
- how predictable the work and the hours are
- what the sensory environment is likely to be like
The National Autistic Society suggests thinking about your interests, motivations, values, skills and access needs together, and notes that a perfect match is rare but the closer the fit, the better.
Build your skills in a way that suits you
Once you know the direction you want to go in, look for ways to build the skills it needs. That might be a course, an apprenticeship, a volunteering role, a personal project or a mentor in the field. Choose formats that suit how you learn, whether that is self-paced online study, hands-on practice or small-group teaching. AI tools can help too, for example by breaking tasks down or drafting first versions. Our guide to how AI can support autistic people at work has practical ideas.
Find opportunities and make yourself visible
Many roles are found through people rather than adverts. That does not have to mean large networking events. A tidy LinkedIn profile, a portfolio of your work, posts about a project you are proud of or a short message to someone in a job you are curious about can all open doors. Our article on building a support network as an autistic jobseeker has more ideas.
When you reach interview stage, be ready to talk about your strengths with specific examples. Our guide to answering “what are your strengths and weaknesses?” and our interview guide for neurodivergent candidates can help you prepare.
Get the support you are entitled to
You can ask for reasonable adjustments during recruitment and once you are in work, such as interview questions in advance, a quieter workspace or written instructions. You decide whether to tell an employer you are autistic, and when.
The government’s Access to Work scheme can fund practical support such as specialist equipment or a job coach. A short working styles guide is a simple way to tell a new manager how you work best. As your career develops, our career progression tips for neurodivergent people are worth a read.
How Enna can help you take the next step
Our jobs board is built for neurodivergent jobseekers and features employers who want to hire autistic talent. Register for job alerts and we will send matching roles straight to your inbox.
Before you apply, take a look at our CV help page for practical advice on presenting your strengths clearly.
