There is no definitive answer to this question, who are we to limit the possibilities for a person by determining what is or is not a suitable job. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects a person’s executive functioning and their ability to self-regulate and control thoughts, words, actions and emotions. A person living with ADHD will experience the symptoms of their health condition in their own unique way and have their own processes and support networks to allow them to fully contribute to a workplace. So, what are good jobs for people with ADHD? We will give the same advice as we would to any other person… whatever job you’re passionate about or interested in. For a person with ADHD, it’s not a matter of what jobs can they do, because they could be great at any job. The question to ask is, how can we create an inclusive environment that will allow a person to work in a way that best suits their strengths? atWork Australia can be your inclusive recruitment partner and connect your business with great talent and advice on creating an inclusive workplace.
ADHD & success at work: Key challenges
It is always an interesting topic – how is the way a person living with disability, injury or health condition (in this case specifically ADHD) performing in their role different to another person? I would like to think there is many differences in the way they perform their role. Not because they’re a person living with disability, rather they’re a different person, with unique skills, life experiences and we would expect different people to bring different skills to the workplace. That is the benefit of hiring a diverse workforce. However, the key challenges for a person living with ADHD are not a specific job or the key duties for that role. Instead, the challenge lies in the environment, the support and understanding they have from their colleagues and managers to have the flexibility to perform the role in a way that utilises their strengths. For managers, the challenge is to create an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable to be able to speak openly about the support they need without fear of discrimination. ADHD employment support needs to be tailored to the individual employee to remove barriers in the workplace and set them up for success. Read some of atWork Australia’s success stories and how they supported people living with ADHD to find success at work. If you need support to find work, atWork Australia can help you too.
What are good jobs for people with ADHD?
This is a difficult question to answer, because there is no right or wrong answer. It could be a doctor, cleaner, engineer, gardener or one of a million different occupations. However, here are some job traits that could lean into the strengths of a person living with ADHD.
Passionate
Of course, it is beneficial for everyone if they are passionate about their work. However, for a person living with ADHD things they’re passionate about will hold their attention and interest for longer periods. Therefore, the likelihood of the person being happier, successful and staying in the position long term is much higher.
High intensity
High intensity is a common trait of a person living with ADHD and can also be viewed as a strength or even a super power! Matching a person to a job that also has this demand can allow a person to channel their energy into their work. High intensity roles often allow for a broad variety of task variation, demands high levels of physical activity and provides high levels of stimulation. Roles that meet these criteria are strongly suited for a person living with ADHD, allowing them to lean into their strength and maintain higher levels of focus in intense environments.
Fast paced
Similar to the high intensity trait, a fast-paced working environment provides constant activity, demanding quick decision making and reduces the risk of boredom and distraction. This environment is suited for people with high energy levels and those who thrive when forced to think on their feet to solve problems as they arise. Roles in fast-paced environments will often provide a broad variety of work where no two days are the same, which is beneficial for people who thrive on variety rather than routine.
Creative
When a person living with ADHD is in a working environment that matches the traits outlined above, it allows their creative strengths to shine. When a person is in a supportive workplace, in a role they’re truly passionate about, their high energy and diverse thinking can produce innovative and creative ideas. The key to unlocking this creativity is the supportive workplace, where people are celebrated for their different thinking styles and are not forced to conform with the norm.
What are Jobs to avoid for people living with ADHD?
As previously mentioned, it’s difficult to say which jobs are best suited for a person living with ADHD and equally as difficult to say which jobs to avoid, as everyone is different and people need to look for jobs that suit their passions and interests. However, there are specific working environments that could be more challenging for a person living with ADHD. These includes high distraction environments, for example an open plan office can be very noisy and overwhelming. Workplaces that offer no flexibility and everyone is expected to work the same way. Roles with no variation and high levels of repetitiveness. Most importantly, a workplace culture that is not inclusive of people’s differences can limit a person living with ADHD from fully utilising their strengths and can create a toxic work environment.
Find Your Ideal Work Environment with atWork Australia
Finding the ideal work environment that is supportive and inclusive of your needs can be difficult, so why do it alone? If you live with ADHD and require employment support, atWork Australia is here for you. atWork Australia is a leading employment service provider, experienced in supporting people living with disability, injury or health conditions to connect with inclusive employers and build a career they can thrive in. Connect with atWork Australia to see how they can support you on your employment journey.