Jobs For ADD - Adult ADHD at Work

Jobs For ADD

Keeping a job in today's trying economic times can be especially challenging for adults with ADHD. It's not enough to be talented or intelligent anymore; you have to be organized, focused, and attentive to detail if you want to stay employed. Unfortunately, for the millions of adults suffering from ADHD around the world, these critical workplace skills are hard to come by; hence, their job prospects and income becomes very limited. According to a survey in the United States, only 50% of adults with ADHD have full-time jobs. Those employed earn much less than peers who don't have the disorder.

The ADHD symptoms you experience can influence your job performance in several ways. If you have difficulty sitting still and focusing, you might have trouble paying attention at meetings, keeping track of multiple deadlines, and handling projects. Adults with ADHD also tend to procrastinate more and show up late for work than those who do not. Of course, there's also the possibility that job dissatisfaction is what's making your ADHD symptoms return at full force. A recent study discovered that motivation and rewards are key factors that influence the severity of ADHD; the more motivated an individual is, the less likely ADHD symptoms will interfere with the job at hand.

So how can you find and keep the job that's right for you? Here are a few general hints.

Consult a career counselor

Before you quit your job or search for a new one, set up a meeting with a career counselor to help you narrow your options. A career counselor is a professional who will guide you while you figure out the career that suits your interests, abilities, and needs. This might mean starting your own business so you can be your own boss, or finding a job with more flexible hours. A career counselor will also help you adjust to your new job or assist you in tricky situations, like discussing a raise with your boss. Jobs For ADD

Keep the workplace distraction-free

Procrastination can be minimized if you work in a quiet place free from distraction. But what if your work is based on the internet? Here are some ways to avoid getting derailed from your work.

- Shut off your instant messenger program so your focus doesn't get shattered by a friend or coworker. If you have to be online to stay in touch with co-workers, set an appropriate status message requesting friends and family not to disturb you with unimportant matters.

- If your work requires internet research, go online to find your information, then go offline to do the actual writing.

- To avoid wasting precious time on websites and social network pages, you can use browser extensions designed to block specific sites at certain times of the day.

Keep a calendar

To stay organized, maintain a digital calendar with a list of deadlines and things to do. Take notes during meetings so you can update your calendar with new tasks to do. See if you can set up your computer to send reminders for due dates and other important things to keep track of. Jobs For ADD