Job Hunting for Neurodivergent Professionals

Office Hours Q&A

Sarah Leff

Job Hunting: Myths vs. Facts

To start off the session, Veronica explores some common misconceptions about the job hunting process.

Job applications

The first myth is that “good job applications will land you a job”, but unfortunately this is not the case.

Myth: “Good applications will land you a job.”

Fact: “Applications do not get you jobs, but they can get you an interview.”

Often, job seekers will put a ton of pressure on themselves to craft the “perfect” resume and cover letter that will guarantee them the job offer. This pressure can lead to excess time, energy, and stress spent on this stage.

It helps to reframe your perspective. Applications do not get you jobs, but they can get you an interview. That is the only job of your resume and cover letter – to get the employer interested and make them want to learn more about you.

Tips for a more effective resume include:

Highlighting the top four skills you want the employer to focus on
Making the resume easy to read and skimmable
Including keywords that align with the job posting.

Interviews

The next misconception surrounds the topic of interviews. The myth is that interviews are all about giving the right answers.

Myth: “Interviews are about giving the right answers.”

Fact: “A successful interview occurs when both people in the meeting leave with a good feeling.”

However, Veronica states that when both people in the meeting leave it feeling good, that is a sign of a good interview.

Some suggestions on effective interviewing include:

Becoming your own special interest
Considering what you would want to know if you were the interviewer.
Trying to create a few small and unique interactions with the interviewer to make a memory.

Networking

The last misconception is about networking. As neurodivergent professionals, we hear how important networking is and that this is the only way to get a job.

Myth: “Networking is the only way to get a job these days.”

Fact: “The best way to get a job is to play to your unique strengths.”

However, the best way to get a job is to play to your unique strengths. This means finding a method of networking that works for you, starting small, and rationing your energy.

Highlights from the Q&A

Moving on to the Q&A, here are the questions and answers Veronica provided for the rest of the Office Hours.

“How can I be sure a company is neurodivergent-friendly before accepting a position?”

When people say they are looking for a neurodivergent-friendly company, what they are actually expressing is a desire to find an employer that will help support their unique needs in the workplace.

To accomplish this, you need to consider what you need to succeed first. Only then will you be able to find a company that would meet those needs.

When interviewing, figure out what you need from the employer and ask targeted questions to find out if this company will meet your needs.

“How do I write about myself in a resume?”

It’s often difficult for people, even self-proclaimed writers, to compose and create their resumes.

Why? The most common reason is that we are our own biggest critics, and are often too close to the subject matter to view it objectively from an outside perspective. Also, knowing that our work history will be judged by other people can be intimidating, which often results in us second guessing the content of our applications.

One technique Veronica recommends is writing your resume under an “alter ego”. Create a character with a different name who has identical work history and skills to you. Treat the process like you are writing the resume for this character, with their name at the top of the document.

Hopefully, creating this mental separation will help you assess your writing more objectively and feel less scrutiny on your experiences. At the end, when you are ready, change the name on the resume to your own and see how you feel.

“How do I address gaps in employment during the job hunting process.”

It’s very common for neurodivergent professionals to go through cycles of burnout, resulting in gaps in their employment history.

If you are feeling self conscious about this, you are not alone. Veronica says she talks to a lot of neurodivergent individuals who worry about judgement from employers and losing future employment opportunities as a result.

You can’t change your history, but you can choose how to frame it during interviews. The key is to take it on a case by case basis. For example, you could say something like:

“Unfortunately, the role was not aligned with my expectations, and we mutually agreed to part ways.”
“During this time, I had to step back from work to deal with a personal emergency.”

Another tip Veronica shared is to use a skills-based resume, so your work history isn’t organized chronologically, but rather, by relevant skills. This takes the focus away from the timeline and highlights your accomplishments as it aligns with the job you’re applying for.

“How can I get a job if I’m not a strong networker?”

As mentioned earlier, networking is not the only way to get a job, despite what “career experts” say about it being the only surefire way to get a job.

Yes, relationship building is a hugely valuable skill when it comes to job hunting. But it’s important to focus on what works best for you and lean on tactics that align with your strengths.

If you are eager to strengthen your networking skills, don’t force yourself into an overwhelming social situation. Consider starting with smaller local networking events, and come up with “exit phrases” you can use to politely excuse yourself from the conversation and take breaks in a safe, quiet space (the washroom, an empty hallway, etc.). Alternatively, try networking on Linkedin and set up one on one coffee chats either in person or virtually.