Do you identify as neurodiverse and do you struggle with interviewing? Neurodiversity relates to “natural differences in how people experience and interact with the world. It usually includes variations in cognitive functioning and neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism, ADHD, and dyslexia.” (Gallup Workplace). In addition, a significant number of members of the current workforce identify as neurodiverse. An estimated 15-20% of the current working population is considered neurodiverse, and approximately 53% of Gen Z employees identify as neurodivergent (Deloitte).
While identifying as neurodivergent may present some challenges for job seekers, many employers are recognizing the unique differentiating factors and talents that such individuals possess. A number of employers, such as Microsoft, JP Morgan Chase, SAP, and Hilton, promote neurodiverse hiring initiatives. Many employers are also often willing to provide accommodations related to the interviewing process, such as providing interview questions in writing and offering alternative interview formats.
While the job interview process may be stressful for a number of candidates, here are five strategies to position neurodivergent candidates for interview success:
- Obtain interview details ahead of time.
Assuring that you have as much information about the upcoming interview as possible will help you to decrease ambiguity and therefore, help you to feel more prepared. If possible, obtain information such as the location, length of the interview, technical platform to be utilized if a virtual interview, titles and number of panelists, etc. In addition, if the interview is in-person, map out your route and visit the location in advance if possible.
- Request accommodations.
If you need specific adjustments, such as receiving the interview questions in advance or scheduling breaks during the conversation, communicate this early in the process. In addition, you don’t always need to reveal full details of any health conditions unless you wish to do so; just asking for the needed accommodations is often sufficient.
- Review job description and company information; create responses to common interview questions.
Dissect the job description and focus on the “Qualifications” section when preparing for your upcoming interview. Prepare examples of times when you have demonstrated each of the skills/qualifications listed, and research the company’s mission, vision, and values. In relation, prepare responses to typical interview questions such as “Tell me about yourself,” while focusing on related skills, experience, and education, and “Tell us about your greatest strength and greatest weakness while discussing specific examples to illustrate your responses.” Further, prepare for scenario-based questions such as “Tell me about a time when you experienced conflict with a supervisor” while demonstrating the S-T-A-R technique when providing your responses. More information on basic interview tips may be found here.
- Frame neurodiversity as an asset.
When discussing yourself as a neurodiverse candidate, focus on your neurodiverse traits as strengths. For example, you may discuss the following traits in a similar manner:
“I prefer visual tools like flowcharts to explain complex concepts, which helps colleagues align quickly and provides more detail for other visual learners.”
“I’m very detail-oriented, which means I catch errors others might miss, especially in technical or data-heavy tasks.”
- Practice, practice, practice.
One of the best ways to mitigate interview challenges and related anxiety is to practice. Feel free to access the A.I.-powered online interview preparation platform, Big Interview, for individual practice. You may also want to consider scheduling either a phone or virtual interview preparation appointment with a member of the WGU Career and Professional Development Advising Team for additional assistance.
For more details and tips on interviewing strategies for neurodiverse candidates, feel free to access a recording of our new workshop and/or view Handshake for the next live workshop offering. If WGU Career and Professional Development may be of further assistance, please visit our website for contact information and more details about our services. Best of luck to all candidates on landing that next opportunity!
