Starting work with ADHD

Many teens commence part time work while they are still at school. This experience will help you in your transition to work. For those of you who are now adults and have completed school or further study, getting a job may be quite a different experience. In thinking about moving into the workplace there are several things to consider but the major thing you need to think about is how your ADHD will affect you in the workplace.

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When you begin to think about getting a job you need to identify your skills and interests. Set yourself goals and make a plan of how you might achieve getting a job in the area you are interested in.

Talk to teachers if you are still at school and to family and friends if you have left school. Some of these people may have contacts in the employment areas that you are interested in. They may be able to get you to talk to someone about what is required for a job, get you some work experience or a volunteering position may be an option to get you started.

Once you have set your goals and put your plan in place you need to start looking for a job and prepare an application. You will require a resume for any job you apply for. Your resume lists your personal details, skills, interests, any work experience or voluntary work you have done, any awards or achievements and your referees. Referees are people who know you and are aware of your skills. They are important because an employer will contact them to get further information about you to see if you are a suitable person to be offered a job in their company.

Searching for a job can be done in a number of ways; searching online, looking in the classified ad section of your local newspaper and national papers, by contacting employment agencies and through talking with friends and family. You then need to apply for the job according to application criteria.

While putting all of this into place you need to beware of the impact of your ADHD and any associated learning disability that you may also have eg. Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD) and put strategies into place to manage this. You also need to decide whether or not you are going to disclose information about your ADHD to your employer.

Here are some further things to help focus your thinking:

Skills and interests

Think about your skills and interests that could lead to a job

Talk with others

Ask your teachers, family and friends, about jobs and what might be required

Prepare a resume

Get your teachers, family, friends to help you develop a resume

Search for a Job

Look online, in papers, job agencies

Prepare for an interview

Practice some questions and answers with teachers, family and friends

 

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