A lot of jobs are filled through people rather than adverts. Someone hears about a role, passes on a name or puts in a good word. For autistic jobseekers, the usual advice to “get out there and network” can feel exhausting or simply unappealing. The good news is that a support network does not have to mean crowded events and small talk. It can be built slowly, on your terms, through channels that suit the way you communicate.
A good network does two jobs. It helps you hear about opportunities, and it gives you people to check things with, from a tricky application question to whether an employer is likely to be supportive.
Start with people you already know
Family, friends, former classmates, old colleagues and tutors are the easiest place to begin, because the relationship already exists. Tell a few of them what kind of work you are looking for and what you are good at. You do not need a polished pitch. A short message such as “I’m looking for data or admin roles, ideally hybrid. Let me know if you hear of anything” is enough.
Not everyone will be able to help directly, and that is fine. The point is that more people know what you are looking for, and they may know someone who can help.
Professional groups and in-person events
Professional bodies, industry meetups and local events can lead to job leads, mentoring and advice. If large events are overwhelming, pick smaller ones, arrive early before the room fills up, or ask the organiser whether there is a quieter space. Set a realistic goal, such as one or two meaningful conversations, rather than trying to meet everyone. It is perfectly reasonable to leave once you have done what you came for.
Some people find it helps to prepare a couple of questions in advance, for example asking how someone got into their role or what their team is working on. That takes the pressure off thinking on the spot.
Online networks
For many autistic people, written communication is easier than face-to-face conversation, and online networking plays to that. LinkedIn is the obvious starting point. Keep your profile up to date, follow companies you are interested in and share the occasional post about your skills or projects. Recruiters and hiring managers do search for candidates this way.
There are also online communities run by and for autistic people and neurodivergent professionals, where you can ask questions, swap experiences and sometimes hear about roles at employers known to be inclusive. Spend some time reading before you post, and you will soon see which groups are active and helpful.
Forums and discussion boards
Industry forums and discussion boards are useful for practical questions: what a role involves day to day, what a particular interview process is like or how people moved into a field. Treat advice from strangers with some caution and check anything important with a trusted source.
Specialist jobs boards and support services
General sites list huge numbers of jobs, but specialist boards can save time by focusing on employers that are actively looking to hire neurodivergent talent. Enna’s neurodivergent jobs board is one example. The National Autistic Society also lists employment programmes, volunteering, apprenticeships and government support for autistic jobseekers in each UK nation.
Use your network well
Once people know you are looking, keep in touch occasionally. A short update, a thank you after someone helps, or sharing an article they might like keeps the connection alive without much effort. Your network can also help you prepare. Ask someone you trust to read your CV, or to run through practice interview questions with you.
When you get to interview stage, it is worth asking questions that tell you how the employer treats neurodivergent staff. Our guide on questions to ask to find a neurodiversity-friendly employer has suggestions, and our tips on reducing interview anxiety may help too. If you are still working out what direction to take, read building a career with autism and how to turn your passions into a career.
How Enna can help you find work
Our jobs board lists roles with employers who want to hire neurodivergent people, and you can sign up for job alerts so new roles come to you rather than the other way round.
If your CV needs a fresh look before you start applying, our CV help page explains how to present your skills clearly, and our guide to tailoring your CV shows how to adapt it for each role.
