I'm asking an interviewer for adjustments for the first time

[amusedbush]

I have a long, long history of getting interviews but not getting the job. I posted a thread about it in Chat a few months ago, actually. I've always been employed but it feels like I get stuck in whatever job will have me and then I'm passed over again and again for promotions or opportunities that I really want. Lots of lateral moves or small increments and never quite what I want to be doing. I'm 32 and was diagnosed with ASD and ADHD last year.

I have so far taken two years to do a PhD but I'm in the final year. I've started to panic a bit about what I'll do afterwards and I've had two interviews this year - didn't get either of them. I recently met with a woman from Careers Services at my uni, basically to wail about the fact that it must just be me - my demeanour, the first impression I make, the fact I get my words mixed up and struggle to put together a coherent thought during an interview. She advised me to disclose my diagnoses and ask for adjustments. I've been too scared to in case it puts employers off but, as the woman said, if they are put off then I don't want to work for them anyway. Basically I think I come across well on paper but then people meet me at interview, think I'm odd/flustered/unprepared/hamming up my experience on my CV because I'm the living embodiment of Mr Bean, but they don't know why so it's putting them off.

I disclosed my diagnoses on an application last week, along with an outline of what adjustments I'd like, and I got an interview! I will phone HR tomorrow, as requested in the invitation email, to get the adjustments put in place.

It's oddly liberating and I'm intrigued to see what an interview on a level playing field feels like!

What are you asking for?

the questions in advance would probably really help. Plus more time to answer them.

@CharlieAndTooManyCharacters

That's exactly what I'm asking for. I'm not sure if they'll give me the actual questions but even just the themes/topics would help so I know what to focus on.

At my last interview I had done a tonne of prep, I researched loads of stuff and prepared my examples based on the job description but none of the questions went into those areas at all and I looked totally inept

Well done for asking for the adjustments! The questions in advance would be great for you so that you can focus on what's actually going to be asked rather than frantic preparation for everything but the questions; which is not confined to you, been there, done that etc😁

Brilliant!
Keep us informed with how this goes. I didn't even know you could ask for adjustments in an interview!

Thank you for the words of encouragement!

I have to do a 10 minute presentation on the day and I've had less than a week's notice, plus it needs to be emailed over at least 24 hours before my interview, so that's what I'll be stressing about today

If it’s the civil service, you can ask for adjustments for the written application stage, any tests, and the interview.

Other large organisations might do the same. It’s useful because the requirements of an application form can disadvantage neurodiverse people in various ways.

I think this depends on the employer. Large organisations are more likely to support disability and offer adjustments. Small employers will probably rule you out because they don’t want the hassle. In my experience small employers (up to about 200 employees) are very discriminatory but smart enough not to put it in writing.

I have heard back and they will put my adjustments in place with the exception of providing the questions. They have agreed to give me a printed copy at the start of the interview, which is helpful because I forget the question and start to panic-waffle, and they've confirmed the general topics they'll cover.

I'm feeling a bit more positive than I usually do at this stage. I'm about to start writing my presentation and I'll be back with an update next week!

Great news! I've had a printed copy of the questions at the time of the interview as a reasonable adjustment and it really helped. I was also given extra time for the pre-interview tests.

Good luck!! 🍀

I've not updated as the interview was Tuesday last week and the panel said they were seeing people all week, so there would be no news until Friday at the earliest. I haven't heard back, which (in my experience and in my industry) is not a good sign but I actually feel quite heartened anyway.

I met with a different careers advisor at uni the day before the interview and he was so, so helpful. Much more practical advice than the other person I met with and when I put his advice into practice on the day, the hiring manager complimented my confidence and full answers.

Basically, I don't think I've been successful but it was such a positive experience overall, I'm still calling it a win

Basically, I don't think I've been successful but it was such a positive experience overall, I'm still calling it a win

That is a brilliant attitude. 😁

Sorry to resurrect this thread a month later but I have another interview tomorrow! I asked for adjustments again - basically the same ones but instead of asking about the questions ahead of time, I asked for a printed copy on the day and they agreed to that.

Yet another bloody presentation, which has my stomach in knots but ho hum. I just need to power(point!) though it.

I had another meeting with Helpful Career Advisor Guy at my uni earlier this week and he's great, really helpful and cheering me on.

I deliberately chose the last slot of the day for the interview (3pm - 4pm) so that by the time I get home, they'll have pretty much finished for the day. Less time to spend staring at the phone

I wish I had asked for adjustments at my interview. Nearly every day I negotiate passive aggressive attitudes to my sensory issues. Management have promised me the earth but in practise I still struggle.

Best of luck @amusedbush do you know if they are giving you the questions when you arrived at the interview so you have a little bit of of time to prepare or are they giving them to you just to glance at and refresh your memory when you're answering?

I'm considering an assessment for adhd as reasonable adjustments at work would be really beneficial if I had a diagnosis. Good to know adjustments can be made at interview as well.

I've got my fingers crossed, I'm surely you'll smash it!

When I sat down in front of the panel, the hiring manager was under the impression I had been given the questions to look at when I arrived but I hadn't, so maybe there had been a miscommunication somewhere. He then passed them over to me and it really helps me to read the question as it's being asked, refer back to it to keep my answer on track, etc.

Looking back what that post-interview dread, I definitely feel like my answers could have been a bit more substantial. The panel members were lovely, one was especially complimentary about my presentation, but I haven't heard anything yet. In my experience, that's not a good sign! In my industry, I have always been offered the job on the same day (once they phoned at 4:50pm), apart from one instance where HR were finished for the day so they phoned me at 9:30am the next day.

Thank you for sharing your experience OP. I find interviews extremely difficult, but I've never tried asking for adjustments. A lot of my issues are with the social interaction aspects which cause me massive anxiety (I definitely "panic waffle") and I'm not really sure what would help.... although I've done a couple of virtual interviews recently (at employer's request) and they were so much easier.

I can't say too much just now because it's still a work in progress and there are no guarantees, but the hiring manager phoned me yesterday morning. I didn't get the job but they liked me so much, they have put forward a business case to create a new role more aligned to my expertise and if that is approved, it's mine

It might not work out though, so I'm not getting my hopes up!

thats amazing @amusedbush you should be so proud of yourself! Please come back and let us know what happens next.

This is fantastic OP! What a boost that must be to your confidence! Please keep us posted.

I would never have thought to ask for reasonable adjustments because (stupidly) in my head they would be physical adjustments for a physically disabled person. Will remember for the future though.