Strategies for exploring careers when you’re neurodivergent
What are your neurodivergent based strengths?
The journey of career exploration can be uniquely complex for individuals with neurodivergence like ADHD, autism, mood disorders, and more, yet these neurodiverse traits also offer extraordinary strengths and perspectives.
What are your strengths and perspectives?
Do you have strong attention to detail?
Do you have the ability to focus deeply?
Are you creative?
Do you have a lot of energy to put towards initiatives?
Are you able to solve complex problems easily?
What are your strengths and perspectives?
Self-awareness is a key strategy for exploring your next role, along with a few other strategies:
1. Self-Awareness: Know your strengths and the environments in which you thrive. Know your challenges and where you may need extra support.
2. Seek Guidance: Utilize career coaching, counseling and mentorship opportunities to build your skills, identify roles, and develop your network.
3. Research: Find careers that align with your strengths. Keep up on industry insights and trends.
4. Target Inclusive Employers: Research companies that support neurodiversity.
5. Showcase Your Unique Skills: Clearly communicate how your abilities can contribute to potential employers.
6. Networking: Join professional networks and groups where you can connect with colleagues and potential employers.
7. Develop Skills: Identify skills that will benefit you in current and future roles and enroll in classes, online training, or target developmental experiences. This may include skills like communication, time management, and organizational skills.
8. Use Technology and Tools: Use tools that are designed to help neurodivergent professionals in the workplace, including assistive technology and productivity apps.
9. Advocacy: Know the rights that you are entitled to under the law and make a decision on what you want to disclose and request from your employer so you can do your best work.
10. Thriving Work Environment: Reflect on what type of work environment will enable you to do your best work, i.e. in-person, hybrid, remote, team size, daily structure, etc.
11. Mindset and Resilience: Focus on the positive, what you have to contribute, and how you’re an asset to any future employer. Recognize that the job search process can be long and rejection never feels good, so develop coping strategies to manage any setbacks. Develop a positive relationship with your inner critic, by noticing and naming it, then assess it and question it, then reframe or take positive action.
Utilize these strategies as you explore your career paths; neurodiversity is a powerful asset in your career journey. Understand it. Embrace It. Align to your Strengths. Visualize. Strategize. Make it Happen.
If you’d like to explore career and leadership coaching, book a free call today to learn more: https://calendly.com/coachbrieanne/25-minute-1-1?month=2024-05
Coach Brieanne