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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To request online interview as a reasonable adjustment

89 replies

bluecogturning · 13/04/2023 20:47

I experience mental health issues (for which I've been prescribed medication and go to counselling) and am wondering if it would be reasonable for me to ask if it would be possible for me to attend a job interview via Teams or Zoom. In-person interviews cause me a lot of anxiety in an environment I am not familiar with, whereas I feel more comfortable and can give a much better representation of my ability when I can be in my own home during an interview.

On three previous occasions I have been offered the job when interviews were conducted remotely, and I have been less successful during onsite interviews. However, in the past it has always been the employer that has specified the remote interview format and I don't know if as the applicant I would be within my rights to request a remote interview when this time the employer would otherwise conduct the interview in person.

OP posts:
Singleandproud · 13/04/2023 22:36

@bluecogturning would it help to have a face to face interview but ask for the questions to be released to you (and all candidates to keep things fair) a few hours before the interview? If you know what you will be asked then your anxiety will decrease too.

IhearyouClemFandango · 13/04/2023 22:38

To be fair, being medicated for anxiety is far from the realm of the unusual nowadays.

Violaviolin · 13/04/2023 22:41

Interviews give everyone anxiety surely.

DojaPhat · 13/04/2023 22:42

Will you explain to them the reason for the adjustment request is because of anxiety?

MajesticWhine · 13/04/2023 22:43

I wouldn't be happy about this if I was the interviewer, especially due to unfairness to other candidates. They might doubt your ability to do the job if you can't make it for the interview.
But if it's a sector where it's currently hard to recruit they might be desperate for decent candidates so you might be accommodated.

Stripedbag101 · 13/04/2023 22:43

Singleandproud · 13/04/2023 22:36

@bluecogturning would it help to have a face to face interview but ask for the questions to be released to you (and all candidates to keep things fair) a few hours before the interview? If you know what you will be asked then your anxiety will decrease too.

This would be a logistical pain in the ass for the company - I wouldn’t ask for this. It’s a bit strange.

but OP I would ask to do the interview remotely. I interview quite a bit in my job and the last few panels I have sat on have seen candidates both in person and on teams. We aren’t told the reason - I always assume it’s distance (and have noted some people are in hotel rooms so perhaps on holiday or away on business). I don’t think it disadvantages anyone and as long as the interview room has good IT it doesn’t make much difference to the panel.

good luck!!

SweetPotatoAlpaca · 13/04/2023 22:48

You’re describing exactly how the majority of candidates feel before an interview. My last job interview I felt like I was going to pass out just before it. It’s…life. Not everything is a mental health issue or requires kid gloves 🙄

SunshineGeorgie · 13/04/2023 22:48

It seems a high proportion of the workplace are on anxiety meds

So no, unless everyone has to have a remote interview. It needs to be fair and as a op says, it marks you out as awkward from the off

SunshineGeorgie · 13/04/2023 22:49

SweetPotatoAlpaca · 13/04/2023 22:48

You’re describing exactly how the majority of candidates feel before an interview. My last job interview I felt like I was going to pass out just before it. It’s…life. Not everything is a mental health issue or requires kid gloves 🙄

Agree with this SO much!!!

Nearly everyone in my workplace has anxiety or ADHD or Autism

icelollycraving · 13/04/2023 22:51

I think I’d consider it if someone asked. My concern would be that in a customer facing environment, how you would deal with that in practice.

MichelleScarn · 13/04/2023 22:52

SweetPotatoAlpaca · 13/04/2023 22:48

You’re describing exactly how the majority of candidates feel before an interview. My last job interview I felt like I was going to pass out just before it. It’s…life. Not everything is a mental health issue or requires kid gloves 🙄

This. We need to normalise normal feelings. Who isn't anxious at an interview, why do we need to pathologise everything?!

UsingChangeofName · 13/04/2023 22:54

I agree with @MichelleScarn , the poster she has quoted, and all the others who also agree.
It would be very unusual for anyone being interviewed for a job, not to be anxious about the interview. that is a very normal reaction.

Willywanderer · 13/04/2023 22:55

Yanbu to ask but they would not be unreasonably to think you're a bit wet. Nothing you have said makes it sound like you need that kind of adjustment tbh.

I get AWFUL pre interview anxiety. I suck it up and have taught myself coping mechanisms

HangingOver · 13/04/2023 23:01

I've never been to an interview where I didn't think I was going to faint/throw up on the interviewer. Always have shakey legs throughout. Feel there urge to run from the room. They're scary!

BoneBrothByDayDonutByNight · 13/04/2023 23:10

AnuSTart · 13/04/2023 21:42

I'm sorry OP, I agree with the pps, there's not a person alive (or very very few) who aren't anxious before interviews and nervous during. If you will need to work with the public then you need to prepare yourself as much as you can and get it done. The only way out is through. For sure you can ask, but if it were me (and I interview a lot) it would make me question your coping mechanisms and ability to face challenges.

Agree completely. Interviews make (most) people nervous.

Crazycrazylady · 13/04/2023 23:16

Honestly op. This will absolutely be held against you in an interview , employers without knowing you with assume that if you're not able to do an in person interview, then you wouldn't be able for a face to face role.

Livelovebehappy · 13/04/2023 23:23

Sorry, but if I was interviewing you and you asked for this, giving the reasons you have, I would think you’re going to be difficult to manage and would look at giving the job to someone else.

CC4712 · 13/04/2023 23:25

It's simply that the interview context causes me additional anxiety as I need to sell myself to strangers that I have never met before in an unfamiliar environment. By its very nature I am being scrutinised and judged. As a result I find it difficult to concentrate and to perform to the best of my ability specifically in an interview context.

But by its very nature- working in a customer facing role means you are being scrutinised and judged by every customer anyway? Not necessarily in a negative way.

How would you prove that you could fulfill the role face to face with customers by not the interview panel?

Costacoffeeplease · 13/04/2023 23:28

Surely that’s just a normal reaction to an interview, I wouldn’t ask on those grounds. I would refuse that adjustment if asked

This

FatGirlSwim · 13/04/2023 23:32

There is so much ableism on this thread. OP, if it is refused, do you actually want to work for that company?

backawayfatty1 · 13/04/2023 23:38

I have had many reasonable adjustments due to disability. When I wasn't accommodated it made me realise I didn't want to work for them so they done me a favour 🤣 Last employer I had, I had an online interview which meant i could have my notes on screen - was very helpful. This wasn't a work from home position. The stress of interview causes me to be forgetful as well as increase pain. I was also on another occasion (same company) able to ask for questions in advance which was very helpful. Being anxious about an interview is NOT the same as having anxiety as a condition. If you feel this will help you be your best self, then ask for the adaption.

SkyandSurf · 14/04/2023 00:01

It sucks but I would never disclose MH issues at the interview stage. Honestly they shouldn't hold it against you and they will say they didn't. But they will.

They're interviewing you for a client facing role, showing up and being personable and confident is part of that. I know you say it's just interviews that you have trouble with, but they would have to take your word on that.

If there are other candidates then this might tip the scales in their favour because there will be a question mark in their minds about your ability to show up and get on with it.

In your shoes I'd say you're on holidays or visiting friends the week they are interviewing and ask to do it remotely for that reason.

KittyAlfred · 14/04/2023 00:01

No harm in asking, but I think you would significantly affect your chances of getting the job. Even if you interviewed well, the interviewers would be thinking “yes but if she can’t do a face to face interview, how will she manage doing the job?”.

JFDIYOLO · 14/04/2023 00:24

If you're currently working it might be difficult to take a full day off to travel to interview, because of high workloads.

You wouldn't want to let the team down by leaving them short-handed at this high pressure time.

So would it be possible to schedule an online interview first thing or around lunchtime?

TokyoStories · 14/04/2023 00:24

FatGirlSwim · 13/04/2023 23:32

There is so much ableism on this thread. OP, if it is refused, do you actually want to work for that company?

I agree, it’s horrible. It’s like somebody with depression being told, ‘oh we all get sad from time to time. It’s normal. Why are you pathologising it?’ 🙄

If on-site interviews cause people anxiety to the point where they feel like they’re going to pass out, why aren’t we pushing to make the process more accessible? Why is it always a case of ‘well I had it tough therefore you should have it just as tough’? Why not make it kinder and fairer for everyone?

Good luck OP. My friend did an interview remotely and requested the questions in advance as a reasonable adjustment. She got the job.