Best Remote Careers for Folks With ADHD

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Last Updated on May 22, 2023 by Daniella

If you work in an office now or use to in the past, how many times a day has your workflow been broken? 

For me, countless times. I remember each time I would try to enter my flow state, a coworker would show up out of nowhere to ask a question that derailed it all. Or a boss would send me an urgent meeting request for something that could’ve been an email.

As a result, I would have to overextend my mental energy multiple times a day to make up for it. This cycle became quite exhausting for my brain, as it is for many folks with ADHD.

Enter remote work – no more distracting coworkers and noisy, uncomfortable office spaces. Remote work allows folks like me with ADHD to create a workspace that is tailored to their needs and preferences. So, the mental gymnastics routines I use to do, happens nowhere near as often as they use to.

Even though bosses are still there with their urgent meeting requests, no matter your location, there is at least some space between you and them with working remotely.  

Plus, the increased work autonomy that comes with remote work can be so beneficial for individuals with ADHD who may struggle with micromanagement or a lack of control over their work environment. This also means they can work during their most productive times, take breaks when needed, and structure their workday in a way that works best for them.

Remote work is great overall for folks with ADHD, and works well for many other neurodivergent folks. It also allows them for more variety in their working lives like portfolio careers. But ADHD is not a monolith. Everyone is different when it comes to the type of work they enjoy and prefer.

Let’s discuss the best remote careers for folks with ADHD and how to get started with each.

Best Remote Careers for ADHD

There are several remote career options that may be suitable for those with ADHD who may struggle with a traditional office environment.

We encourage you to experiment with the different things you feel drawn to and see for yourself which one works best for you.

1. Freelancing

Freelancing can be a great remote career option for individuals with ADHD because it provides a high degree of flexibility, variety, and control over workload and work environment. Not only that, you can choose the type of work you take on, which can be beneficial for individuals with ADHD who may thrive on variety and new challenges.

The different types of fields for freelancing:

  • Writing
  • Design
  • Development
  • Photography
  • Videography
  • Data analysis
  • Marketing
  • Advertising
  • Business management
  • Consultant
  • Coaching
  • & more

However, it’s important to note that freelancing also requires strong organizational skills and self-discipline, so it may not be the best fit for everyone with ADHD. 

To get started with a career in freelancing, pick a skill that you’re proficient in and offer it out as a service. Do mock projects to add to a portfolio, use an app like Bonsai to do client intake & organize your projects, collect testimonials from clients, and grow your business from there.

You can even try out freelancing first as a side hustle to see if you like the style of work. 

Related: 25 Best Tools for Freelancers to Run Their Business

2. Writing or Editing

This is a great option for individuals with ADHD who have strong writing skills. Writing can be a creative outlet for people with ADHD and can provide a way to channel their energy and imagination into a productive task, allowing them to use their unique thought process to their advantage.

Whether you decide to freelance as a writer or get a full-time job writing, this field of work allows you to set your own schedule and work from anywhere.

There are a variety of different types of writing and editing roles you can do, including:

  • Blog writing
  • Article writing & reporting
  • Ghostwriting
  • Copywriting
  • eBook writing
  • Script writing
  • Editing (other editing options for ADHD folks are also video editing and audio editing)
  • Proofreading
  • Content creation & strategy
  • Content architect
  • & more

Use sites like Upwork, Best Writing, LinkedIn, and other remote job boards to look for work.

Related: How to Set Your Freelance Rate

3. I.T. or Tech

Many folks with ADHD have a natural affinity for technology and may excel in technical fields. This can make IT or tech a good career choice for those with ADHD who enjoy working with computers and other technical equipment.

Tech and IT are also fields that offer the most opportunities in remote work, flexibility, autonomy, and job variety. 

Some of the different position titles in I.T./tech to explore:

  • Software engineer
  • Cloud engineer
  • Database administrator
  • Data analyst/scientist
  • Web developer
  • Mobile application developer
  • Front-end developer
  • Game developer
  • Support analyst or engineer
  • Systems engineer
  • Process analyst
  • Customer success manager
  • Project manager
  • Product manager
  • & more

IT and tech are rapidly growing fields with many different job roles and specializations. This can provide individuals with ADHD with a variety of job opportunities and the ability to switch between roles as their interests and skills evolve.

Those who want to get started in this field can browse introductory courses for any of the job titles above on Coursera. They can then try freelancing to help add experience to their resume while searching for part-time or full-time jobs in tech (or they can remain freelance).

Related: 7 Tech Side Hustles That Pay Well ($50 an hour or more)

4. Graphic Design or UI/UX Design

This career may fall under the tech sector if you end up working with or for technology companies. 

If you have a creative streak and enjoy working with visual media, graphic or UI/UX (user interaction/ user experience) design could be a good fit. People with ADHD often have strong visual thinking skills, which can be a valuable asset in design. They may be able to quickly visualize and create new designs, or to identify ways to improve existing designs.

Many designers work as freelancers or remote employees, which allows for flexibility and the ability to work on projects at your own pace.

Different services you could offer as a freelance designer (these could also be potential job duties if you’re looking for a full-time or part-time remote job in design):

  • Logo & branding design
  • Digital illustration/digital art creation
  • Website design
  • Marketing materials like social media graphics design
  • Designing how a user interacts with a website such as how the buttons interact to hovers and clicks
  • Researching user behavior & intent
  • & more

To get started with a career in design, browse the various design courses available on Coursera. You can use free tools like Canva to create mock projects and start thinking about putting together a portfolio which you can easily do using a no-code website builder like Webflow or set one up for free on Adobe Portfolio.

Related: How to Find Free Online Courses to Boost Your Skills

5. Virtual Assistant or Executive Assistant

As a virtual assistant, you can provide administrative support to businesses and entrepreneurs from the comfort of your own home. This career requires strong organizational skills and attention to detail, which are strengths for many people with ADHD.

Virtual assisting can be beneficial for individuals with ADHD who may thrive on variety and new challenges. They can take on a variety of tasks in different fields, which can help keep their work fresh and interesting.

Virtual assisting involves a variety of tasks, including:

  • Administrative support
  • Managing email inboxes
  • Customer service
  • Creating copy for social media
  • Scheduling social media content
  • Writing content for websites
  • Measuring content performance
  • Helping with research and ideation
  • & more

To get started as a virtual assistant, use this introductory guide to virtual assisting.

6. Social Media or Digital Marketing

Social media is a rapidly growing field in digital marketing, and many companies are looking for social media marketers to help them navigate the online landscape. This type of career requires a creative mindset which many folks with ADHD possess.

Digital marketing is great for ADHD-ers because it offers flexibility, creative work, variety of tasks, ability to work remotely, and the opportunity to work with technology and software.

People with ADHD often have strong analytical skills, which can be an advantage in digital marketing. They may be able to quickly identify patterns and trends in data, or to develop creative solutions to marketing challenges.

Roles in this field include:

  • Social media marketing
  • Email marketing
  • Search engine optimization specialist
  • Digital marketing manager
  • Content marketing manager
  • Pay-per-click manager
  • Analytics manager
  • Advertising manager
  • Influencer marketing
  • & more

However, it’s important to note that digital marketing roles also require strong organizational and communication skills, so individuals with ADHD should carefully evaluate their strengths and interests before pursuing this career.

To get started in digital marketing, browse courses on Google Digital Garage.

TL;DR – The Best Remote Working Options for ADHD

Remote work provides a solution to many of the problems that folks with ADHD might encounter in a traditional office environment. 

Some of the best remote careers for people with ADHD include freelancing, writing or editing, IT or tech, graphic design or UI/UX design, virtual or executive assisting, and digital marketing.

In conclusion, remote work provides many benefits for individuals with ADHD, allowing them to thrive in their careers. It allows for a more tailored work environment, work schedule, and work pace. Remote work also offers the opportunity to take on various job roles and specializations.

However, it is essential to remember that remote work is not for everyone with ADHD, and it is necessary to consider the individual’s preferences and strengths before choosing a remote career.

What do you think? Share in the comments your own experiences with ADHD and your own career path!

More remote work resources:

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