Ian Nichols Ian Nichols

Neurodivergent and Job Searching? Why It’s Even Harder—And How to Move Forward

The job market is brutal right now. Layoffs are everywhere, companies are downsizing, and even highly qualified candidates are struggling to land roles.

And if you’re neurodivergent? 😵‍💫 The whole process is even worse.

Why Job Searching Hits Different for ADHD and Autistic Folks

Most job search advice assumes you have full executive function.

It assumes you can break tasks into steps, stay organized, self-motivate, and power through rejection without spiraling. But ADHD and autistic people don’t start from that baseline—so when coaches or career advisors throw out generic strategies, they don’t factor in executive function struggles at all.

That’s why so many neurodivergent people follow “expert” advice and still end up stuck, overwhelmed, or avoiding the process altogether.

Here are some of the biggest challenges ND job seekers face:

⚡ Struggling with social cues in interviews

You’re halfway through an interview, and your brain suddenly whispers: You’re screwing this up.

Maybe you start overexplaining. Maybe you freeze. Maybe you can’t tell if the interviewer is impressed or just waiting for you to stop talking. Reading social cues is hard enough without anxiety making it worse.

⚡ Complete overwhelm at every step

Resumes, applications, networking—it’s all too much at once.

And in a job market this competitive, the pressure to be perfect makes it even harder to start. When your brain tells you, If I don’t do this flawlessly, I shouldn’t do it at all, it’s easy to shut down completely.

⚡ Past workplace trauma & bias

If you’re queer and neurodivergent, you’ve probably faced workplace discrimination, coded bias, or straight-up gaslighting.

Maybe your last job tried to mask their ableism as “culture fit.” Maybe your neurodivergent traits were seen as unprofessional. Maybe you left a toxic work environment and now just the thought of job searching makes you panic.

It’s not just frustrating—it’s destabilizing. No wonder job searching feels paralyzing.

⚡ Shame & low self-trust

If you grew up being criticized for the way your brain works, you might have internalized the idea that you’re “too much” or “not enough.”

That kind of shame doesn’t just disappear when it’s time to apply for jobs. It shows up as avoidance, fear of rejection, and second-guessing everything you write in your cover letter. The emotional weight of it all? Exhausting.

So, How Do You Move Forward?

First: There’s nothing wrong with you. The problem isn’t that you “just need to try harder.” The problem is that job searching was never built with neurodivergent people in mind.

That’s why I’m offering two free coaching sessions this March—specifically for neurodivergent job seekers who feel stuck in:

✔️ Job search avoidance

✔️ Burnout

✔️ Shame spirals

These sessions aren’t just about résumés and interview prep.

We’ll focus on shifting your mindset—so you can break out of freeze mode, apply with more confidence, and stop spiraling before interviews.

📌 How to sign up

Text me at 503-908-9390, or email me at ian@divergenjourneys.com. I’ll send you everything you need to book your free session.

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Educational Ian Nichols Educational Ian Nichols

Your Reaction to Injustice Is Real—Here’s Why It Feels So Intense

For those that don’t know, the definition of justice sensitivity is the “tendency to notice and identify wrongdoing and injustice and have intense cognitive, emotional, and behavioral reactions to that injustice.”

What Is Justice Sensitivity? 🧑🏽‍⚖️

Justice sensitivity can show up in different ways, like:

  • Feeling afraid you might be treated unfairly

  • Seeing unfairness when others don’t

  • Feeling really sad about big problems in the world

  • Feeling guilty when you hurt someone, even by accident

 

Why Neurospicy People MIGHT FEEL IT MORE 😣

Justice sensitivity isn't only a neurodivergent trait. Anyone can feel it, especially during tough times.

As circumstances change (see: the world right now), sensitivity can change too.

Some neurodivergent people, like those with ADHD or autism, often feel justice sensitivity more deeply. Their brains process information differently, which can make unfairness feel extra intense.

Many people don’t even know that what they’re feeling has a name.

People without justice sensitivity might not understand how someone can feel so strongly about something that seems small to them.

But those people can help by being patient, listening, and offering support.

How to Calm down When It’s too much 🧘🏻

If you have justice sensitivity, here are some simple steps to help calm your nervous system:

  1. Name It: When you feel upset, tell yourself, "This is justice sensitivity." Naming it helps your brain understand what's happening.

  2. Breathe Slowly: Take deep breaths in and out. Slow breathing tells your body it’s safe.

  3. Use Comforting Touch: Place one hand on your heart and one on your stomach, or give yourself a gentle hug to help regulate your nervous system.

In these moments, your job isn’t to fix the world's problems. It’s just to help yourself feel safe again.

BALANCING Strength & WEAKNESS ⚖️

Justice sensitivity shows you care about fairness. That’s a good thing! It means you want the world to be better.

When your nervous system is calm, you can:

  • Have more energy to work on solutions

  • Support others going through tough times

  • Think clearly about how to make a difference

But remember: it’s not a virtue or flaw. It’s just part of who you are.

Justice Sensitivity Self-Check ✅

This week, pay attention to how you react to bad news:

  • Do you avoid it? Do you distract yourself?

  • Do you feel really emotional? How does your breathing change?

  • What do you tell yourself? Do you think about past experiences?

Just notice what happens.

And remind yourself that whatever you feel is okay.

It’s okay to care deeply in a world that sometimes feels cold.

We need people like you.

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