Job hunting is a unique journey for every woman but for women with spinal cord injuries (SCI), the journey may require a bit more planning, extra support, and some creative thinking.

The great news? It’s entirely possible. Whether you’re looking for part-time flexibility or full-time commitment, the right job can open doors to financial independence, security, and even a bit of joy because you deserve to treat yourself.

No matter the level of your injury, whether it’s limiting mobility or affecting your upper body strength, work is still possible. With the right tools, you can secure meaningful, fulfilling roles that align with your needs and skills.

After all, financial freedom means more than just paying bills, it’s about having the resources to live life fully: from that shopping spree to booking a getaway, and everything in between. It’s your life, and you should be able to live it to the fullest, just as every woman deserves.

Let’s break down how to approach job hunting step-by-step, no fluff, just real advice that works.

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Step 1: Understand Your Injury Level So You Can Work Smarter

Before starting the job hunt, take a moment to understand how your specific injury affects your daily functions. This isn’t about limiting yourself, it’s about working with your body, not against it. It’s not about focusing on what’s missing, but about maximizing what you do have, and making it work for you.

Knowing your injury level will allow you to tailor your job search to positions that are not only accessible but also empowering. When you align your role with your unique strengths and abilities, the hunt becomes a search for opportunity, not a battle against your body.

Whether your injury limits mobility, dexterity, or requires assistive technology, it’s essential to match these factors to the right roles. For example, if your mobility is impacted, remote work with flexible hours might be ideal. If you have more upper-body function, administrative or creative roles may offer more flexibility.

1. High-level SCI (C1–C4): This may involve limited mobility and full dependence on assistive tech for mobility and communication. Many high-level injuries will benefit from remote roles that utilise voice commands or dictation tools.

2. Mid-level SCI (C5–T1): You may have some hand/arm function, which opens up opportunities for customer service, social media management, or roles that involve some physical interaction, like graphic design.

3. Low-level SCI (T2–L5): With more functional use of your upper body, administrative, content creation, data, or tech-based roles are often accessible and a great fit.

Remember, your capabilities may evolve over time, and that’s completely okay. Adapt as needed and don’t be afraid to seek out positions that can grow with you. You’re not defined by your injury. You’re defined by your resilience and what you bring to the table.

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Step 2: Get Clear on What You Want

Navigating job boards can feel like a maze, especially when you haven’t first taken the time to figure out what you truly want. Clarity is everything. Without it, you might find yourself applying for any job that seems like a fit, only to realise it doesn’t align with your values or lifestyle.

Start by asking yourself some key questions:

1. What kind of work truly energises me and excites me every day?

2. How much mental and physical energy can I commit to each day without burning out?

3. Do I want a remote role, or is working from the office more appealing? Is hybrid work a consideration?

4. What kind of work environment will empower me to thrive, not just survive?

5. What type of flexibility do I need in terms of hours? Is it critical for me to have control over my schedule?

Getting clear on your preferences isn’t just about finding the right job, it’s about setting the foundation for a career that suits you, and one that respects your life, your health, and your goals.

When you stop settling for jobs that don’t match your life, you open the door to work that actually fits who you are and what you deserve.

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Step 3: Acknowledge Systemic Barriers Then Strategise Around Them

Let’s not sugarcoat it: the world of work isn’t always accommodating. While you may be able to navigate the job hunt with the right mindset and skills, systemic barriers still exist that can make the journey harder for women with SCI.

It’s crucial to recognise these barriers without allowing them to define your approach. Awareness of the challenges allows you to move through them with intent and power.

The harsh reality is that many workplaces remain ill-equipped for employees with disabilities. From physical barriers in the office to technological gaps, accessibility issues can make it more difficult to do your job comfortably. Add to this the discrimination and bias that often comes with hiring, and it’s easy to see why women with SCI may face extra challenges.

There’s the issue of limited representation: fewer women with SCI in leadership roles means fewer mentors and role models to help you navigate your career. But acknowledging these realities isn’t about surrendering, it’s about navigating these obstacles intelligently and advocating for yourself.

Here’s what you can do to prepare and thrive:

Research company accessibility: Before applying, check if the company has any known accessibility initiatives or inclusion policies.

Ask the right questions in interviews: Don’t hesitate to inquire about accessibility and workplace accommodations during the interview process.

Seek out supportive communities: Join online groups or LinkedIn communities for professionals with disabilities. Networking with others who understand your journey can be both empowering and resourceful.

By strategising with these systemic barriers in mind, you’ll be better equipped to advocate for yourself and find companies that genuinely value your contributions.

Step 4: Build a CV That Reflects You Not Just Your Condition

Your CV is more than a list of past jobs. It’s your first impression. It’s your story. It’s the reflection of your skills, your strength, and how you show up in the world.

When you’re applying for a job, especially as a woman living with a spinal cord injury, your CV should highlight your capability, not your challenges. Let it speak of your resilience, adaptability, and everything you bring to the table.

Here’s how to get it right:

1) Keep It Simple and Professional: Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan CVs before a human even sees them. These systems can reject CVs with fancy fonts, images, or unusual formatting.

Use a clean layout:

Standard fonts (like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman)

Clear headings (Experience, Skills, Education, Certifications)

Bullet points for readability

2) Focus on What You Can Do: Don’t just list your past roles, highlight what makes you an asset. Think about all the ways you’ve grown, adapted, and led both professionally and personally.

Show off your superpowers:

Soft skills: Communication, time management, team collaboration

Adaptive skills: Use of assistive tech, remote work experience, resilience

Digital tools: Zoom, Google Suite, Canva, Trello,  these are real, valuable skills

3) Be Honest About Gaps: If you took time off for recovery or personal reasons, it’s okay. You don’t have to hide it. Briefly explain the gap in your cover letter or CV summary and focus on how you’ve grown during that time. Employers value transparency and personal development.

4) Cover Letters Matter Too: Think of your cover letter as your personal elevator pitch. It’s your chance to connect the dots between your story and the company’s mission.

Let your personality shine. Show how your lived experience has shaped the kind of teammate, leader, or problem-solver you are. You’re not just applying for a job. You’re offering your passion, perspective, and potential.

Step 5: Upskill Smartly and Start Where You Are

Let’s cut through the overwhelm because we’ve all been there.

You’re scrolling through job posts and everything sounds like it needs 10 years of experience, five certifications, and a brain that never sleeps. But here’s the truth: you don’t need to know everything. You just need to start with what’s within reach.

Upskilling isn’t about chasing perfection, it’s about building confidence, one step at a time. Especially if you’re re-entering the workforce or trying something new, learning a fresh skill (or brushing up on an old one) can be the bridge between “I wish I could” and “Look what I’m doing.”

And no, you don’t need a university degree or fancy laptop setup to begin.

You just need:

1. A willingness to learn,

2. An internet connection,

3. And one decision: I’m going to grow from here.

Start by identifying roles that interest you and then reverse-engineer the skills they require. Don’t try to learn everything at once, pick one skill and stay consistent. That’s where real momentum builds.

Here are some valuable, beginner-friendly platforms you can explore:

1. Digital Marketing & Copywriting: Google Garage, Hubspot Academy, Copyblogger for writing tips that sells.

2. Tech & IT Roles: Coursera & edX

Step 6: Look for Jobs That Prioritise Flexibility & Accessibility

Let’s be honest! Rigid 9-to-5 office setups aren’t always designed with disabled bodies in mind.

When you live with a spinal cord injury, your energy levels, mobility needs, and daily routines might not fit neatly into a traditional schedule and that’s okay. You’re not lazy. You’re not difficult. You’re just navigating the world differently.

That’s why flexibility isn’t a luxury, It’s a necessity.

The good news? The job market has shifted. Remote work, hybrid models, and part-time opportunities have become more mainstream than ever.

These roles offer breathing room: room to rest when your body needs a pause, room to work in spaces designed for you, and room to create routines that honour both your wellbeing and ambition.

Start by asking yourself: What does a sustainable workday look like for me? Then, search for roles that match that rhythm, not the other way around.

Here are a few job paths that can offer both flexibility and dignity:

1. Virtual Assistant: Manage emails, coordinate calendars, and handle admin duties for busy entrepreneurs or small businesses. Many of these roles are freelance or part-time.

2. Online Tutor: Teach subjects like English, maths, or even creative writing. Sites like Preply, Tutorful, or Teachable allow you to set your own hours.

3. Content Writer / Copywriter: If you enjoy words, you can write blog posts, newsletters, product descriptions, or even ghostwrite articles all from the comfort of home.

4. Customer Support Representative: Provide chat or email support for global companies. Many offer remote onboarding and flexible shifts.

5. Social Media Manager: Help brands show up online through strategy, captions, and engagement. This role thrives on creativity and time-blocking.

6. Transcriptionist: Turn audio or video content into written form using tools like Otter.ai or Rev. Perfect if you prefer solo tasks and structured routines.

Not sure where to find these roles? These job boards are great places to start:

FlexJobs: Curated list of remote and flexible opportunities.

We Work Remotely: Jobs across tech, design, writing, and more.

Remote.co: Great for remote-first companies.

Fiverr:  If you’d like to try freelancing or build a portfolio on your own terms.

Pro tip: Use filters like “remote,” “part-time,” “hybrid,” or “disability-inclusive” in your job searches. The goal isn’t just employment, it’s alignment.

Because the right job won’t drain you. It’ll fit into your life like it belongs there because it does.

Step 7: Practice Interviewing With Empowerment in Mind

Interviews can feel like walking into a spotlight intimidating, intense, and sometimes overwhelming. And when you live with a spinal cord injury, that feeling can be magnified by worries about bias, accessibility, or how much to disclose.

But here’s the truth: the interview is your stage, and you get to decide how your story is told.

Rather than approaching interviews with anxiety, prepare with intention and empowerment. This doesn’t mean pretending everything is perfect, it means getting comfortable with your strengths, your values, and yes, even the challenges you’ve faced and how you’ve overcome them.

Here’s how to make that shift from nervous to grounded and confident:

1. Practice With Intention: Role-play interviews with a trusted friend, coach, or mentor who can give constructive feedback. Focus on pacing, clarity, and confidence in your tone. Record yourself if needed hearing your own voice might feel awkward at first, but it helps build self-awareness.

2. Use the STAR Method: For behavioural questions (e.g. “Tell me about a time you overcame a challenge”), use the STAR structure:

3. Plan Your Disclosure Wisely: You are not required to disclose your disability unless you need accommodations. If you choose to share, frame it with strength and clarity: “My spinal cord injury has taught me how to navigate challenges creatively. For example, I’ve adapted my workflow using assistive tech and time-blocking, which helps me maintain focus and efficiency.” That’s not weakness, that’s resilience in action.

4. Know Your Legal Rights: In the UK, under the Equality Act 2010, employers must provide reasonable adjustments during the interview process. If you need something specific whether it’s extra time, a certain software, or an accessible venue, you have the right to ask for it.

5. Rehearse Empowering Answers: Anticipate questions that may indirectly relate to your condition (e.g. “How do you manage tight deadlines?”). Craft answers that show how you meet expectations with your own strategies.

6. Focus on What You Can Do: Employers are hiring for impact not perfection. Highlight your skills, your contributions, and how you work effectively. Your SCI is part of your story, but it’s not the whole story.

At the end of the day, you don’t need to prove your worth you just need to own it. Confidence isn’t about ticking all the boxes. It’s about being real, being prepared, and being proud of how far you’ve come.

Step 8: Seek Out Employers Who Champion Diversity

The right employer doesn’t just tolerate differences, they celebrate them.

As a woman with an SCI, you deserve to work somewhere that doesn’t see your disability as a barrier, but as a facet of your lived experience, something that adds to the richness of the workplace, not something to be “worked around.”

Unfortunately, not every organisation is there yet. Some still see disability through a lens of limitation instead of opportunity. That’s why it’s so important to filter your job search through a diversity-first lens.

Here’s what to look for:

1. Diversity & Inclusion Policies: Check the company’s website or reports for their stance on inclusion. Are there specific statements about disability? Are they partnered with organisations or initiatives focused on accessibility?

2. Accessible Recruitment Processes: A truly inclusive employer doesn’t just say the right things, they reflect it in how they recruit. Can you request interview accommodations? Are applications accessible via screen readers or voice-to-text software?

3. Employee Resource Groups (ERGs): Look for groups or networks for disabled staff, women in leadership, or mental health advocacy. These are signs the company prioritises community and peer support.

4. Visible Representation: Who’s in leadership? Do any team members or executives openly share their lived experience with disability or neurodiversity? Representation signals that the workplace is safe and inclusive.

5. Accessibility in Action: Go beyond their careers page. Look at office layouts, remote work flexibility, adaptive tools provided, and how they support ongoing accessibility adjustments.

6. Accreditations or Commitments: In the UK, look for signs like the Disability Confident Employer badge or commitment to frameworks like The Valuable 500, which signal action, not just aspiration.

Doing this kind of research might take a little longer, but it’s worth it. You’re not just looking for a salary, you’re looking for dignity, support, and a place that lets you be fully you.

Job hunting as a woman with an SCI may come with unique challenges, but it’s important to remember that your abilities are valuable, and the right opportunities are out there. You’ve got the skills, resilience, and passion to succeed. Now it’s time to go after the job that truly fits you.

Stay true to yourself, embrace your journey, and never settle for less than you deserve.

Surround yourself with people who understand. Whether it’s a virtual community, an accountability partner, or a support group, your environment matters.

HerSpine Solutions is here to support your journey. You don’t have to do it alone. Your job doesn’t define your worth but having the right job can change your life. Whether you’re just starting your journey or switching careers, remember: you are capable, deserving, and powerful.

From CVs to interviews, upskilling to freelancing you’ve got options. And you’ve got us in your corner. P.S: What has your job-hunting experience with SCI been like?