Living with ADHD has been a challenge throughout your life, but one that you’ve been able to overcome thanks to hard work and the support of your teachers and family from grade school through college. The nature of college coursework, however, is such that classes do not run longer than a couple of hours, schedules are flexible, and there is a variety of interesting topics to explore.
So how will you deal with entering the workplace, which is sometimes defined by workers as a 9-to-5 daily grind, in which you have to complete the same tasks day in and day out while sitting in a cubicle?
The answer is to look beyond those sorts of office dweller roles to find ones that align with your strengths and celebrate creative thinking. Here are some factors that graduates with ADHD should consider when finding and starting a new job:
Avoid jobs that have you chained to a desk.
One of the toughest challenges when you have ADHD is to not have freedom of movement because you’re bound to rigid schedules or tight deadlines. To find workplace success, look for opportunities that are more collaborative in nature (in which you can work closely with others who share a team goal). If you must work in an office, find a company that uses an open layout rather than cubicle work stations, and that promotes a laid back culture that feeds the creative process.
Seek work that rewards multitaskers.
Jobs that require a lot of focus to complete a repetitive task day after day aren’t ideal for employees with ADHD. For you, it’s better to wear many hats and juggle a variety of responsibilities or simultaneous projects since that staves off boredom and keeps you engaged. When you’re settled into a new job, don’t be afraid to volunteer to join special project committees, and be vocal about your desire to accept new challenges.
Think beyond the office.
Having a job that provides a frequent change of settings can be a blessing to someone with ADHD. Whether it’s working as a police officer, a salesperson who does a lot of outside client meetings and travel, or becoming a small business owner, getting to meet new people and take on something different everyday can help keep you engaged and feel passionate about your work.
Learn to channel the hyperactivity aspect of ADHD to supercharge your productivity.
Once you find something you’re passionate about, you’ll find that your ADHD can actually help you power through massive amounts of work more quickly than others who might lose steam. As career expert and author Martin Yate explains, “When we face, learn to manage, and harness the power of ADHD to our goals, people like us become the world’s great achievers.”
Tap into your people skills.
If you’re typing away at a computer all day, it’s easy to zone out and give the impression that you’re lazy or inattentive. However, as someone with ADHD, you likely enjoy communicating and brainstorming with others, and in those situations, you’ll stand out as someone who brings energy and excitement to the workplace.
According to MidAmerica Nazarene University’s recent study, it’s one’s interpersonal skills and the ability to network that are most vital for landing a job in the first place, and then later, advancing your career or entrepreneurial endeavor to the next level.
ADHD doesn’t have to limit your possibilities. Think of how far you’ve come already, and find inspiration in others from every walk of life who’ve managed to “crack the code” and harness their ADHD superpowers, as Yate puts it. Among them include Steve Jobs, Walt Disney, Justin Timberlake, and Bill Gates, to name a few. Follow your passion, choose a job that plays to your strengths, and keep forging ahead, and you’ll have a lucrative and meaningful career.
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About the author: Dawn Papandrea is a Staten Island, NY-based writer specializing in education, careers, parenting, and personal finance. Her work has appeared in publications including Family Circle, Parents, WomansDay.com, CreditCards.com, and more. She has a master’s degree in journalism and mass communications from New York University. Connect with her on Twitter and Google+.
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