3 job traits to get your attention...
“Find out what you like doing best and get someone to pay you for doing it.” Some of my favourite career advice, but sadly, Katherine Whitehorn didn’t go on to explain how procrastination might best be funded.
Choosing a career or role is a big decision. Our choices open some doors and potentially close others. While early choices don’t lock you into a career forever, they certainly lay the foundation on which most people will build their career. These conscious decisions will consider strengths, values, personality and skills.
For those with ADHD, there’s the added complexity of what will be a good fit for the unique requirements of our uniquely demanding brains.
Over my career I’ve been lucky enough to work with a number of colleagues with ADHD, and also to have the condition myself. Though because I was diagnosed relatively late in my career I guess I’ve had to learn through trial and error.
(As a disclaimer, I am well aware that prior to 40 my longest employment in a single job was 2 years... though I’ve since improved.)
I’ve noted a few traits of the jobs that attract those of us with our neurological quirk. Here’s a little of what I learned:
1. Physical
In my teens I was hugely attracted to work in the military. I joined the cadets, spent every holiday on a military base somewhere around the country. I wasn’t attracted to the guns and uniform (though I won’t lie, the uniforms where awesome – until ironing and polishing was required). I loved the camaraderie and structured living (most of the time) but mainly the very physical nature of the environment. I finished each day tired, mentally and physically. It’s no surprise that exercise is often touted as a helpful, non-medical, treatment for ADHD.
Later in life I found some of the same benefits from working in a furniture warehouse. Unloading 20ft containers of sideboards, tables and chairs certainly left me physically tired. Though it was not necessarily as mentally challenging.
Options: Military, Police, Fire Service, Sportsperson, Logistics/Stores, Removals.
2. Pressure & Pace
In addition to the physical component above I loved my brief glimpse into the military world for the high pressure. Certainly, the activities were all designed to provoke stress and raise the heartrate – which in turn brought the dopamine reward!
A few acquaintances in the medical field talk about similar experiences in the Emergency Room (ER), ambulance or operating theatre.
My colleagues in Aviation logistic also talk about the pressure of on-time-performance – delivering a difficult task, at pace, in the dangerous airport environment.
Talking to entertainers and performers (and my own brief stint as a jobbing comedian of questionable quality) they mentioned similar stimulation from the stress of waiting to go on stage, the hyper-vigilance to audience reaction while performing and the euphoria after a good gig. The pressure of performing and the immediacy of the audience feedback appears to suit the ADHD brain.
Interestingly, I’ve also found a similar reward from roles that involve public speaking. Perhaps not to the levels I experiences on the stage, but conference speeches, lecturing and training all come with a similar ‘performance anxiety’ and pressure.
I should also mention the very real risk of burnout. While pressure and stress are something that our brains may appreciate, a long-term exposure, particularly for folks who are not good at balancing with less stressful time, brings risk. I’ve known former senior business leaders, police, medical staff, teachers and veterans who are still recovering years after leaving these roles.
Options: ER doctor/nurse, aviation, logistics, entertainment, public speaking, teaching/training.
3. Complexity
The third trait I’ve noted for an engaging career is complexity.
I have friends who describe their jobs as ‘no two days are ever the same’ or ‘I never know what the day will bring’. That avoidance of routine and element of surprise is certainly
I’ve been very lucky to reach senior leadership roles as I’ve found these bring me the variety and mental challenge that keeps me interested over time. As a former boss told me, ‘the problems that come to me are the ones that folks in my team haven’t been able to solve’. When the most difficult and complex issues cross the desk, it is easier to stay engaged.
Other colleagues have described a few different ways to enhance the complexity in careers:
a. Taking on roles that cover multiple disciplines. Small business owners, general managers and project leaders all have roles that require moving between very different business functions or disciplines through the day. Customer issues, operational challenges, financial analysis and technology decisions. This multi-discipline role ensures a mix of challenges for the brain.
b. Other colleagues have mentioned working across multiple geographies. Whether that is different sites, states or countries. Multiple locations can bring the complexity of different regulations, sub-cultures and ways of working. In the same day you might be working with different teams and personalities across a number of these geographies with the complexity that can bring.
c. Taking an assignment overseas, whether that is an expat position or holiday job, creates a significant change to the norms and routines. Things are harder and more complex as you adapt and flex to a new culture, learn new working styles and take on different job or personal challenges.
d. I’ve also heard great examples of colleagues who have worked in multiple, shorter jobs in large corporates that promote internal mobility. These can be through structured programs (apprenticeships, graduate schemes or management talent programs), project-based work or just organisations that see regular mobility as beneficial to the company and employee development. One tech firm peer told me she’d had 8 jobs in 10 years with the company. All bringing new opportunities, teammates and stakeholders. Her CV shows 10 years of stable employment with her firm - her brain received a new challenges every 15 months!
These are some thoughts on the traits of careers that might be helpful for the ADHD brain but I’d also reflect for a moment on the challenges. As much as I may not enjoy it, I recognise that some routine is helpful within and around work:
· In work, some imposed structure is helpful in supporting boundaries and productivity. ‘On-call 24/7’ and ‘high-travel’ roles may be exciting but they’re not always conducive to separating out quality family time or rest!
· I’ve also found it hard to set up the necessary ‘good’ personal routines when I don’t have so much structure at work. International travel and inconsistent working times (late nights on projects or shift work) require some thought about setting up the other routines of the day – exercising, eating habits, mindfulness and the like.
Finding a job or career that fits with your strengths and personality is essential, and even more so when you have ADHD.