Finding jobs for people living with ADHD

If you’re living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), we understand

how hard looking for work can be.


That’s why we want to help you find a fulfilling job, with an employer that supports your

way of working.

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We help job seekers living with ADHD

ADHD affects around 1 in 20 Australians, which means if you’re looking for work and living with this neuro-developmental condition, you aren’t alone.

At APM, we help job seekers living with an injury, illness or disability, including developmental disabilities like ADHD, find and keep a meaningful job and thrive at work.

Work can be helpful for people living with ADHD as it can:

  • Increase your financial independence
  • Keep you focused and attentive
  • Give you the chance to learn new skills

If you’d like help to get started on your employment journey, APM can help!

See our advice on finding a job for people living with ADHD below, and register today to see how we can help you find and keep meaningful work that suits your needs.

What to look for in a job when you’re living with ADHD

People living with ADHD are capable of finding meaningful jobs, in many different roles and workplaces.

Your symptoms, levels of focus, skills and interests are unique to you, which means there is no one job that is perfect for everyone living with ADHD.

In your job search, focus on finding a role that aligns with how you best focus on tasks, and allows you to use your strengths every day.

While everyone’s experience with ADHD is unique and dependent on the type of ADHD you are living with, you may like to consider the following job features:

Do I need structure or flexibility?

Having structure built into a job can help you stay focused and in control.

If you’re a creative thinker, you may perform best with the flexibility to control your schedule.
 

What am I interested in?

Having a sense of purpose in your day-to-day work can help you stay focused and inspired.

When you feel passionate about what you’re doing, it can give you the motivation and drive you need to excel at your job.

What pace do I work best at?

For some people, ADHD symptoms can be a real issue if a job is too slow-moving or repetitive.

Instead, you may perform well in a high-intensity, fast-paced work environment.


"It's given me my
self-esteem back"

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"I was so excited, I couldn't wait
to get started"

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"Shannon has fitted in with our business perfectly"

Read a full transcript of this video.

Good job ideas for people living with ADHD

             

Everyone experiences ADHD differently, which means there’s no one-size-fits-all list of jobs that are best for you.

However, here are some ideas to help you think about what job would suit your needs best.

When looking for employment that’s right for you, consider your unique skills, capabilities and needs.

If you are having trouble deciding what’s best for you, we can help!

Our employment consultants can help you discover other opportunities for employment that would suit you, that you might not have considered before.

Are you a quick-thinker who likes fast-paced environments? A career as a firefighter, policeman or emergency response officer could be a good fit for you. These high-intensity jobs require motivated individuals who respond well under stress.

If you are empathetic, have a passion for helping others and can cope with high-intensity environments, nursing might be a good fit for you. Many nursing roles are fast-paced and require individuals with high energy and lots of motivation.

Do you thrive with flexibility and a changing environment? Are you also passionate about helping others be the best version of themselves? You might enjoy a career as a fitness trainer. To do well in this role you’ll need to have skills to motivate others and communicate effectively.

For some people with ADHD time management and organisation are challenging. A highly structured job with routine tasks may help you feel more confident at work. Accountants for example are responsible for managing the financial records of a company. Much of their tasks are repetitive with clear deadlines.

If you’re creative, social and enjoy working with your hands, a job like hair styling, makeup artistry or beauty therapy might be a good fit for you. Whether you work in a salon or travel to different locations for each job, you’ll constantly be interacting with new people and completing new tasks

Do you get bored easily but have intense curiosity for new information? You might enjoy a career as a journalist. The role involves gathering information and writing articles for newspapers, magazines or other publications. It’s a fast-paced industry with plenty of variety.

Are you a risk taker? Being able to take calculated risks is a highly desirable quality for careers such as stock brokering. A stock broker is responsible for buying and selling stocks on behalf of a client. To succeed in this role you’ll need to be confident and able to deal with high-pressure situations

High-energy, motivated individuals are often good at selling products or ideas. If you have good people skills and know how to use language persuasively, a sales representative might be a good career option for you.

Are you the kind of person who always wants to learn something new? A career in technology could be a great fit for you. Jobs such as computer programming and software development require you to stay up-to-date with changes in technology. You’ll also need creative thinking and problem-solving skills to succeed in these roles.


*Please note that these job suggestions may not be suitable for everyone with ADHD. These job suggestions may suit some people depending on their circumstances including, but not limited to, their current experience with ADHD.

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What employment services does APM offer?

APM is Australia's largest provider Disability Employment Services, a government-funded program which helps people living with injury, illness or disability find and keep work.

We can help you with things like:

  • Career advice
  • Finding suitable job opportunities
  • Meeting local employers
  • Writing resumes and job applications
  • Preparing for job interviews
  • Accessing training
  • Accessing mental health support
  • Ongoing workplace support
  • Accessing funding for things like uniforms and transport
  • Accessing workplace modifications to help you succeed at work
  • Workplace assessments to help identify what support is right for you

Ready to get started?

Register now to see if you’re eligible for our Disability Employment Services program and start your employment journey.

FINDING THE RIGHT JOB FOR YOU

Your personal job plan

APM helps job seekers succeed in their search with tailored job support and guidance.

Identify your strengths:

  • Many individuals with disabilities have unique strengths that can be valuable in the workforce. It’s important to identify and communicate these to potential employers.
  • At APM, we have a team of experienced career consultants who can help you to identify your strengths and match them to suitable job opportunities. Strengths can include things like creativity, empathy and perseverance that can be valuable in many roles.
  • Our goal is to help you find a job that suits your skills and interests, and we are committed to supporting you throughout the entire process.

Building a job around you:

  • Explore realistic job options where you can succeed
  • Develop a personal strategy that includes job searches, resumes and interviews
  • Discuss your support needs with your employer
  • Look at any requirements for equipment or workplace modifications to help you perform a specific job
  • Consider what support you might need when you start working

4 steps to making a positive change in your life

When you register with APM, we check your eligibility for the program, and help you get started. We guide you through the Centrelink process and your initial assessment, which decides your capacity for employment and suitability for the program.

Apply online

Register with us, and we'll be in touch in the next couple of days to discuss further.

Schedule Appointment 

Meet your dedicated employment consultant at your nearest APM office.

Talk to us

Discuss your disability or health condition, and employment needs.

Get started

Your employment journey begins!

WHEN YOU FIND A JOB

Our support doesn’t stop when you start working.

We also want to make sure you and your employer have everything you need to be a success together.

Depending on your level of support and the job you start, we work together to make sure you’re able to work safely and effectively.

This can include helping you access training, job coaching, performance monitoring, and understanding the workplace culture and what is expected from you.

We also support workplaces with proactive education to be aware of any impacts you may have so we can help avoid any misunderstandings and create a culture of support and inclusion.

If you need ongoing support for long periods of time we will also discuss this with you and establish a support structure.

Our goal is to see you enjoy rewarding and long-term employment and ensure you have the right level of support to succeed.

Get in touch with our teams to find out more.

             

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ADVICE & OTHER RESOURCES

Other advice that may help you find a job

How to know if you have ADHD

How to know if you have ADHD. What are the signs and symptoms? When should you see your doctor? And where to get support.

Read more

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Everything you need to know about living with ADHD and holding down a job

Living with ADHD and unable to hold a job? Get helpful tips about finding work, writing resumes, succeeding in interviews, managing in the workplace and more!

Read more

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Great job ideas for introverts living with ADHD

Good jobs for ADHD introverts – and where to get support to find work that's right for you.

Read more

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