Worst Jobs For Dyslexics – Top 6 in 2024

Having a condition such as dyslexia means that you are automatically not fit for all kinds of situations and this extends to jobs as well. Of course, this doesn’t mean you can’t have a decent job as a dyslexic. It only means that your choices are limited.

There are certain jobs that you should try to avoid while we have those that are compatible with your dyslexic nature. Under this article, our focus is on the former and as such, we present to you below 5 of the worst jobs for dyslexics or that are difficult for dyslexics.

People who have dyslexia may have some disadvantages when it comes to getting employment depending on the severity of the symptoms they show. Having dyslexia does not automatically disqualify you from getting the job you want, but there will be challenges to take on should you pursue specific jobs. 

According to the National Health Service (N.H.S.), dyslexia is a learning disability that can lead to problems in respect of writing, reading as well as spelling.

When someone is dyslexic, he will most likely exhibit the following character traits below:

• Reading and writing very slowly
• Confusing the order of letters in words
• Having difficulty with information that’s written down
• Finding it hard to carry out a sequence of instructions
• Struggling with planning and organization
• Having difficulty with extended use of numbers
• Having inconsistent or poor spelling
• Understanding information only when told verbally

We invite you to have a look at our list of jobs for people with disabilities to find and apply to jobs for dyslexics that might interest you. Not sure where to start? We also listed the best jobs for dyslexics and the best jobs for people with learning disabilities.

List of the Worst Jobs for Dyslexics

1.  Cashier

The main responsibility of a cashier is to handle cash and transaction registers for his or her company. They oversee money transactions being conducted over the counter. Money, calculations, and drafting transactions throughout the cycle are all components of a cashier’s job.

Handling large sets of data is not one of the strengths people with dyslexia are known for. It is also challenging for dyslexic people to maintain a sharp visual sequential memory. Organizing money in a specific sequence and maintaining registers may come across as overwhelming for dyslexic people.

Information has to be constantly passed to cashiers in writing, and this information must be grasped as quickly as possible in order for a transaction to be successful. With this in mind, there is no room for cashiers making repetitive errors as it would lead to significant misinformation.

2.  Accountant

The job of an accountant is even more complex than that of a cashier. Therefore, it is a no-go area for people that suffer from dyslexia. It is also a profession that is subservient and allows you little autonomy. The import of this is that your workflow cannot be individualized.

Accountants work in the financial department of companies, and their responsibility is to make records of various business transactions while also making final reports at the end of every accounting year. Accountants basically monitor a company’s financial performance throughout the year.

When working as an accountant, there is an accuracy of language and values that is required. Accounting is therefore an unsuitable occupation for those with dyslexia because there is an extended use of numbers that must be tracked throughout the accounting process.

It should also be noted that while sending occasional reports, notices or annual drafts, a solid knowledge of the accounting language and vocabulary is mandatory, and not optional.

Work that is assigned to accountants also cannot be individualized. In other words, people with dyslexia actually thrive in environments where they are given flexibility and can be creative, but the field of accounting does not give them such freedoms. 

Thus, it is one of the worst jobs for dyslexics. Even though it is generally a desirable profession, it is not suggested for people suffering from dyslexia.

We invite you to have a look at our list of jobs for people with disabilities to find and apply to jobs for dyslexics that might interest you. Not sure where to start? We also listed the best jobs for dyslexics.

3.  Waiter/waitress

Waiter/waitress is one of those jobs that are difficult for dyslexics it is a career that needs you to pay full attention to information, note it, and then deliver it effectively.

The job of a waiter or waitress is to offer basic services at elegant restaurants such as taking orders, serving food, and receiving bills. They have basic responsibilities such as making sure customers get what they order in a timely manner.

Empathy and communication skills are key components to the job of a waiter. One problem people with dyslexia face is the event of memorizing what is being ordered. Having difficulty memorizing factors into a lack of communication skills for dyslexic employees. Another common symptom of dyslexia is one being easily distracted when reading and writing. Being distracted may be mistaken by customers as lacking empathy.

Working as a waiter also requires a steady level of confidence when reading and inferring information. People with dyslexia sometimes have low confidence and/or anxiety in relation to reading and writing tasks.

4.  News Reporter

News broadcasting companies employ reporters to both receive and send information and updates regarding daily news topics. The responsibilities of a news reporter include drafting news stories, collecting and verifying information about those stories, and then updating it with regular insights. 

Paying attention to detail, expertise in language and general presentation skills are some of the key attributes that news reporters must possess. This can present a challenge to someone with dyslexia because having the ability to memorize information regarding a news story plays a big factor in the success of a reporter. The information about a news story must be accurately recorded and presented. 

Especially if you want to be the type of news reporter who gets in front of a camera to report news stories, it could become nerve-wracking to deliver a solid verbal presentation if you have dyslexia. When having conversations, people with dyslexia tend to have limited awareness of the speech sounds in their words as well as problems pronouncing certain words.

5.  Bank Teller

Bank tellers are responsible for the daily financial transactions that customers of a bank need to address. Bank tellers handle letters and figures which must be accurately sorted out with there being no errors. One common symptom of dyslexia is letter and/or number reversals, which is also known as transposing. Such reversals can sometimes be a good thing, but oftentimes it is not in a field like bank telling.

Making sense of all the information given to a bank teller is a key part of the job. Processing cash withdrawals, accepting cash and check deposits while validating deposit slips, and performing specialized tasks like foreign currency exchanges are all parts of a bank teller’s job. Bank telling is a job that requires strong memorization skills and a sense of structure, which can often be a challenge for someone with dyslexia. 

Bank telling is much like being a cashier in the sense that accuracy and precision are required when handling transactions. As well as having great mathematic skills, it is also required of a bank teller to have excellent communication and comprehension skills. Sometimes having difficulty with memorization, organization and time management, bank telling may not be the ideal career choice for people with dyslexia.

As such, it is considered to be one of the worst jobs for dyslexics.

There are many jobs that dyslexics can do, look at our list of the best jobs for dyslexics.

6.  Court Stenographer

A stenographer is a person that puts verbal information into writing. You can find a stenographer in a lot of workplaces although the profession is gradually getting outdated. Despite this, however, one of the places where you can still see one is inside the courtroom. A court stenographer takes down information in the court of law. This is a job that requires you to pay attention to details and also take them down correctly.

It is a career that a dyslexic person will struggle to fit into. You are to put down the opinion of the court as appropriately as possible. You are also expected to be very comfortable with letters.

In addition to that, it is a job that affords little to no autonomy or creativity as you are expected to put down the information exactly the way they have been verbally put. This makes court stenographer one of the worst jobs for people with dyslexia.

Conclusion

While there are certain job fields that don’t suit the strengths of someone with dyslexia, there are plenty other fields that do. Examples of job occupations that better suit those with dyslexia include musicians, artists, sports athletes, and actors. Depending on the dyslexic symptoms that are displayed, you may be a better fit for one job field that you may not initially be considering. The most important thing to remember is that the strengths of someone with dyslexia can be fully appreciated and utilized in jobs that best suit them. 

• Resource for parents of a dyslexic child: Wrestling with an octopus.