As an ADHD job applicant, you want to take considerable time to explore the available job options and make sure you choose what resonates with your strengths and interests. If all fails, and you still need to secure a job, seek professional help from career counsellors. They can help you find suitable jobs and get advice on making your CV stand out. With that said, let’s look at some tips to help you navigate the ADHD job search.

Tips & Tricks for Navigating the Job Search

Join groups and forums that discuss job trends

A forum is a great way to connect with others looking for ADHD jobs and access information about job trends and opportunities. Usually, members exchange their ideas, advice, and experiences related to a particular job, field, or industry. This can be a great source of inspiration and advice if you are looking to get keywords to include in your resume or to get an idea of the kind of jobs that are currently available.

Narrow down your search criteria

Having a wide range of interests regarding job searching is refined. However, you can get more benefits from narrowing down your ADHD job search criteria because it allows you to compete with few to no individuals. Say, for instance, you are seeking a job in the marketing category. You can also search for a “marketing job”, but honestly, this won’t give you a direct result. Narrowing down your search criteria by industry would be more beneficial, for example, “Digital Marketing jobs based in Glasgow”.

Take advantage of any internship

Although internships are often unpaid, they can provide a great experience and an introduction to the professional world. Most importantly, it can result in gaining valuable contacts and references, which will look great on your resume. Internships also give you more confidence and knowledge when applying for ADHD job positions.

Creating an effective CV

An effective CV means one that is clear, concise, and well-organised. Imagine you’re the employer, so remember to include all relevant details and make it easily scannable and readable. To do this, you want to

• Use bullet points

Rather than writing long paragraphs, use bullet points to get your point across. For example, “I am exemplary at typing and can work without a break” can be broken down into “• Skilled in typing” or “• Experienced with multitasking”.

• Include a personal statement

It can help to include a short but concise personal statement at the top of your resume. For those unfamiliar with a personal statement, it’s a  brief introduction of yourself and what you can bring to the role. For example, “I am a teacher with eight years of experience helping students develop key skills and reach their goals. I believe I can bring great value to any teaching role”. This statement saves the interviewee time, as it’s an instant snapshot of who you are and what you bring.

• Use keywords relevant to the job search

One common mistake in a CV is missing keywords relevant to the job search. For example, you’re applying for a job that has highlighted the need for someone skilled in HTML and CSS, but you have written a whole paragraph about your experience in programming. This will be little help for the employer as you need to demonstrate that you have the required skill. When employers search for potential candidates with ADHD, they use certain keywords specific to their industry and position. Make sure you research those keywords and include them on your resume so that your application stands out from the competition.

• Communicate your accommodation needs

If you don’t have the right qualifications for an ADHD job or have any disability or health condition that may limit your ability to carry out specific tasks, don’t be afraid to communicate this on your CV.  Most employers can make reasonable adjustments if you require specific accommodations to perform the role, so clearly state these. In the long run, this could result in a job offer.

These are just some tips for navigating a job search and writing an effective CV for a new job. With preparation, research, and creativity, you will be sure to find the right job for you.