Getting a Job With Dyslexia

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At Exceptional Individuals, we provide a dyslexia recruitment service, working with employers and candidates to match the perfect people to the perfect roles.

Our neurodiverse team at Exceptional Individuals provide free in-person and online career coaching for dyslexic people, including CV support and advice on job applications, support with disclosing, and changing career paths. We help people with dyslexia identify their skills and find jobs that match their potential.

What is the best job for someone with Dyslexia?

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There isn’t a one size fits all career for every person with dyslexia. It depends on the individual’s interests and talents. Though there are careers that utilise the assets of having dyslexia, such as creativity and big picture thinking, more than others. These jobs include managerial positions, designing, creative arts and engineering, amongst many others. For example there are UK Virtual Assistant websites, which are great for registering and finding a remote job.

There are many companies in the UK that provide up to date digital marketing services such as SEO, PPC, and Web Design that are ready to work with people who have disabilities. We can explore the best UK SEO companies, PPC agencies and web design firms and work with them showing your abilities and skills. In addition, there are many famous investors with dyslexia and you can try your hand even at investments, for example half of the “Shark Tank” investors are dyslexic as are some of those on “Dragon’s Den.”

People with dyslexia can have the following strengths that would make them ideal for certain jobs:

• Ideal jobs for creative individuals:
  • Graphic designer
  • Advertiser
  • Make-up Artist
  • Costume designer
• Ideal jobs for big-picture thinkers:
  • Life coach
  • Futurist
  • Investigator
  • Campaign manager
• Ideal jobs for great communicators:
  • Therapist
  • Health care professional
  • Social Worker
  • Mediator
• Ideal jobs for ground-breaking innovators:
  • Entrepreneur
  • Choreographer
  • Video Game Designer
  • Mathematician
  • How do I get a job with Dyslexia?

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Becoming more aware of your dyslexia will help to open environments that you can thrive in. This will allow you to discover your strengths, as well as reflecting on where you may need alternative support.

When thinking about careers that would suit you, it’s important to consider your unique set of skills, interests and strengths:

• Are you best working with other people? Or do you prefer to work independently?
• What kind of environment do you want to work in?
• Are you a strong visual and creative thinker?
• Do you have good time management skills?
• Do you enjoy working creatively and thinking outside the box?
• How do you prefer to communicate ideas?

It might be challenging to apply for jobs in the ‘traditional way’; creating a CV, cover letter or complete application forms.

Our neurodiverse team at Exceptional Individuals provide free in-person and online career coaching, including CV support and advice on job applications, and there are increasing numbers of “disability confident” employers who offer alternative ways to submit your application, such as using a video interview or spoken CV. Companies also use the “two ticks disability symbol” to show that they support dyslexia so it will be good to apply for these organisations.

Is Dyslexia considered a disability when applying for jobs?

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Yes, dyslexia is considered a disability and is protected by the Equality Act 2010. The act explains that a disability is a physical or mental impairment which may cause a negative impact on an individual’s work life.

Organisations are not allowed to deny employment for people based on their disability. It is a legal duty on behalf of the organisation, to give people with dyslexia the correct adjustments at the time of recruitment.

All recruitment and selection procedures must suit the needs of those individuals with dyslexia.

Is it hard to get a job with Dyslexia?

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Although dyslexia may be challenging, individuals can still work around it. It is important to keep a positive attitude, as maintaining this attitude will help to reach your potential.

Also, focus on your abilities and showcase all the skills you are capable of doing. You can let the recruitment team of the company you are applying for know if you require adjustments and guidance.

Lastly, keep in mind the support available to you. The Government’s Access to Work scheme offers employers funding to provide support and assistive technology to employees with dyslexia.

Webinar: Jobs for Dyslexics

Nat Hawley, our Head of Community, has hosted a webinar where he discusses ideal jobs for dyslexics. The jobs he mentions include entrepeneurship (e.g. Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group) and chef (Jamie Oliver).

Visit our Support for Candidates pages to find out more about the support we can offer you. If you think you have traits of dyslexia, take our free dyslexia test to find out if you have neurodivergent traits.