Finding a job

You can have a good job and a successful career – but like anyone else, you’ll have to work for it. Having arthritis probably means you have to think a little bit harder about the type of job you can do and whether your joints can cope with what it will ask of you.

Having a long-term condition teaches a lot of life skills which translate well into the workplace. Things such as:

• resourcefulness – having to consider alternative solutions when faced with a physical disability
• tenacity – determination and mental focus are really important at work
• organisation – planning your day so you don’t knacker yourself is one way you have to be organised with a long-term condition

Experience

All work experience is beneficial. It teaches you important skills, but also shows you what the reality of work can be like. A part-time Saturday job can teach you about how to handle customers, how payments and invoices work, or a babysitting job can teach you how to handle responsibility.

Starting your search

Finding a job can be very daunting. Knowing what you want to do is not as easy as it sounds, and will take some careful thought.

A good place to start is to think about what you like and dislike, what you are good at and not so good at (nobody is good at everything, so be realistic about your skills). Make a list which includes things like:

• your interests – hobbies, extra-curricular activities, things you like the look of
• your physical abilities – be realistic about your arthritis, and be honest with yourself (and your employer) about how much time you might have to take off for medical appointments and/owhen you have a flare-up
  
• your personality traits
• problem-solving – do you like doing one thing at a time, or do you like to juggle 10 things at once?
• your communication and social skills

Do your own research

• The internet is a fantastic resource for finding out about jobs.
• Newspapers are still one of the most popular places to advertise for new recruits and often newspapers will have a special supplement for recruitment.
• Some agencies, like Brook Street, have a particular interest in disabled people, so approaching them is a good idea. Opportunities for People with Disabilities is another agency that keeps a register of disabled job seekers.
• Talking to people is a great way to get an insight into different jobs, and people are happy to give advice, and maybe introduce you to someone else who might be able to help you. Don’t be shy, most people will be flattered by your interest.

Jobcentres have loads of resources, as well as being able to direct you to a Disability Employment Advisor who can give you specialist support and advice in your job search. The Directgov website also has bags of info on finding work.

Things to consider

• Small or large? Smaller organisations often can offer employees the opportunity to gain broad experience, but larger companies often have better health insurance plans and other benefits.
• You have to want to work for your employer as much as they want you to work for them. Ask them questions, find out about their policies.
• Stress, fatigue and physical endurance are all factors to consider in choosing a job. Stress makes arthritis worse, so it’s very important to learn how to handle it effectively.