Undoubtedly, having a solid network of people who understand your needs or share your interests can be beneficial in many ways. For example you can land a job that you never expected or you might receive new information that is useful. Regarding job opportunities for autistic job-seekers, having a supportive network can make the whole process easier and more successful than without it. But how do you create and maintain a network?

In-person meetups

As an autistic Job seeker joining a professional organization or attending local events related to your field are great ways to build a support network. This in-person meetup allows you to connect with people who can provide job leads, mentorship, and other helpful advice. When attending these events, introduce yourself and try to get to know at least ten people who could give you a heads-up about job openings that might suit you.

Social media networking

In addition to in-person meetups, many online networks are explicitly designed to help people find work. These networks allow you to easily connect with other autistic job seekers and autistic professionals with similar interests and career goals. Popular social media sites like LinkedIn and Facebook can be used to connect with people you already know or find potential contacts who could help you with your job search. Posting updates about your job hunt and the skills you offer can also be a great way to get noticed by recruiters and hiring managers.

Forums

Apart from social media networking, you can always go right with joining online forums related to your profession. For example, Reddit, quora, and other discussion boards are great places to connect with people who may be able to provide advice, feedback, and resources that can help you with your job search. The good thing with forums is that you can also learn from the experiences of others and get answers to nearly any questions or concerns you may have. And aside from that, some forums may even have autistic job postings that lead you to potential employers.

Niche job boards

Niche Job Boards comprise sites like Glassdoor and Indeed, specifically designed to cater to fields like tech, health care, Education, finance and nearly anything. These job boards allow you to apply for autistic job opportunities close to your area of expertise and connect with employers who may be looking for someone like you. What’s more, job boards can give you a better idea of the job market in your area and provide valuable insights that could help make your search easier. Read the Jobs requirement and be open to learning new things.

Personal contacts

With personal contacts, you can use your family and friends who may already know someone in the same field. Connecting with people like that could benefit both the short and long term. Keep in mind that not everyone can provide you with the exact help, but simply staying in contact and letting them know your goals can be an excellent approach.

Whatever your profession may be, having a solid support network of people who understand your needs and can provide helpful advice is essential for a successful career. By utilising in-person meetups, social media networks, forums, and niche job boards, you can easily create and maintain a network of people who can help you find the right job.