New building. New systems. Twenty new names. Ten instructions said once, out loud, while someone watches you try.
New jobs are hard for everyone. With dyspraxia, everything being new at once is the hardest bit, because nothing is on autopilot yet.
New everything
Starting a new job is tiring for anyone. With dyspraxia it’s harder still, because nothing is automatic yet. Every route, system and routine has to be consciously worked out, all at the same time.
- New building: Where’s the loo? The kitchen?
- New systems: Passwords, software, processes.
- Lots of names: And faces. And job titles.
- Spoken instructions: Ten things, said once.
- Being watched: While learning something new.
- Exhaustion: Home by six, asleep by eight.
Before the interview
Interviews bring their own challenges, but most of them can be reduced with preparation. The aim is to remove the unknowns so you can concentrate on the questions.
- Do a practice journey: Know the route and the entrance.
- Ask about the format: And the questions, if they’ll share.
- Bring notes: It’s allowed, and it helps.
- Ask for adjustments: Extra time for written tasks, for example.
Interview swaps
On the day itself, a few small swaps can stop minor worries taking up space in your head. They’re simple, and they let you focus on what you’re saying.
| Instead of | Try |
|---|---|
| A wobbly glass of water. | Your own bottle with a lid. |
| Rushing your answers. | “Can I take a moment to think?” |
| Worrying about the handshake. | A smile and a clear hello. |
Settling in
The first few weeks are when most of the effort is needed. These habits help you take in new information without relying on memory alone.
- Write everything down: Steps, names, logins, where things are.
- Ask for it in writing: “Could you email me that?”
- Learn one thing at a time: Not the whole job in a day.
- Find a go-to person: Someone you can ask twice.
First-week kit
It’s worth setting yourself up with a few practical things from day one. Building your own reference material as you go saves a lot of repeated questions later.
- A notebook: One, not five
- A map of the building: Draw your own
- A who’s-who list: Names and roles
- Step-by-step guides: Write as you learn
- Headphones: For noisy offices
Good to know: New skills take longer to become automatic. That’s dyspraxia, not a lack of ability.
It gets easier
If the early weeks feel overwhelming, hold on to this: it’s the newness that’s hard, not the job. That part passes.
The first weeks are the hardest because everything is new. Once routines settle, a lot of the effort drops away.
Slow to start doesn’t mean bad at the job.
Many dyspraxic people fly once the basics are on autopilot.
Wrapping up
You got the job because you’re good. Give yourself time to show it.
Once the routines become familiar, much of the effort falls away and your real ability has room to show. Be patient with yourself in the meantime. Being slower to settle in says nothing about how good you’ll be once you have.
Next in the series: Hobbies With Dyspraxia
This post is for general information and isn’t medical advice or a diagnosis. If it resonates, speak to your GP or an occupational therapist.