Smiley face on a job application.

[RunBackwards]

Please, just don't

Probably don't mention twice how good your "banter" is either, it distracts from the fact that actually, your experience could be just what we need.

We rejected an applicant at shortlisting (a teacher) for describing her experience at Camp America as 'awesome'. Harsh? Maybe, but there were a lot of applicants and it conjured up a picture of someone we couldn't face working with.

@CulturallyAppropriatedName

Please, interviewers, don't appoint someone who talks the job well over someone who does the job well, especially if you are working in an area which attracts inhibited sorts of people.

Don't rule out anyone who struggles with eye contact.

Do enable applicants to show their skills rather than just talk about them.

Then maybe my son would be able to get a job doing what he excels at (coding).

Imagine if you as an excellent pianist, applying for a job as a classical pianist, in which you would have to play the piano fantastically well, following sheet music, were ruled out of the running because when you arrive at interview they asked you to make up an improvised dance.
That's what it's like as an inhibited, autistic excellent coder being ruled out of coding jobs because you can't speak confidently to new people in an interview situation.

Thank you for making this point! From another mum of an autistic young man

@krook
We are only going with disability friendly employers now so yes, he will declare his autism. It's so obvious in any case, there's no way he could pretend not to be autistic.

When invited to ask questions, don't open with "What happens if you lay in one morning?"

@allthedoggos comic sans is often used by people who have disability or where the target audience is those with disabilities. It's easier to read and the a is an a that you learn to write in school rather than like the a in this font.

@SnuggyBuggy

Are these people from the jobcentre being compelled to apply for jobs that they don't want?

That would make sense!

@BlackberrySky

We need your photo on your application form so that we can remember you after the first round of 200 interviews. If you attach a picture of your dog instead of you then don't be annoyed that we don't remember you!

Actually, I would think that distinctly memorable (for all the wrong reasons)

Please don't lie and say you were a Junior x rather than an apprentice - we get confirmation from your employer.

@ThatIsNotMyUsername

And don’t have an email address like ‘bigboobs@...’

Guess it depends what ‘re applying for ..,

Don’t bring a album of (stalking) photos of you taken with various minor celebrities. And then try to present each photo during interview.

Don’t tell the interviewer about your musical theatre ambitions in an interview for a sales role.

Don’t slag off your current boss - especially when the interviewer knows them

@CulturallyAppropriatedName

Please, interviewers, don't appoint someone who talks the job well over someone who does the job well, especially if you are working in an area which attracts inhibited sorts of people.

Don't rule out anyone who struggles with eye contact.

Do enable applicants to show their skills rather than just talk about them.

Then maybe my son would be able to get a job doing what he excels at (coding).

Imagine if you as an excellent pianist, applying for a job as a classical pianist, in which you would have to play the piano fantastically well, following sheet music, were ruled out of the running because when you arrive at interview they asked you to make up an improvised dance.
That's what it's like as an inhibited, autistic excellent coder being ruled out of coding jobs because you can't speak confidently to new people in an interview situation.

👏 👍

Is it just me feeling a bit sad reading the thread rather than entertained?

Oh and if you are offered a job, don’t get your family to write fake references. And then act surprised when the job offer is withdrawn.

@RunBackwards

Please, just don't

Probably don't mention twice how good your "banter" is either, it distracts from the fact that actually, your experience could be just what we need.

Had the desired effect though, didn’t it?

You “noticed” him/her.

@CulturallyAppropriatedName

Thank you for making the point on eye contact. Im autistic and find eye contact extremely uncomfortable and when I do manage I can’t listen to what people are saying as all I can think is “this feels wrong I am staring into your soul and I should not be doing that”.

I also found out this week when I had an actual rather than Zoom meeting that my eye contact has got even worse over lockdown as I’m out of practice so interviewers please be aware of that.

From my experience as an interviewer, when asked what you’d do on the first day of the job don’t say “phone my Mum and tell her how excited I am”. Though it endeared me to you as a lovely person, it is not really the best answer.

When recruiting, if you can't be arsed to give the unsuccessful candidate feedback after the interview, just say you won't be giving feedback. Don't promise to call with feedback and not do it, even after the candidate has followed up twice.

Don't include a Kit-Kat with your application and say 'have a break from reading all these job applications!'

You may be remembered - but for the wrong reasons.

Don't shake hands, sit down, lean back in your chair, give a big patronising smile, and say "Go on then - impress me" WHEN YOU ARE THE CANDIDATE

Sad because of the standard of

Interview examples from my body piercing days. I was senior piercer/assistant manager at one studio, and I had to interview potential apprentices.

"I want to be a piercer because I refuse to blend in"

"Oh I'm not interested in doing run of the mill stuff like noses, I want to go straight into the fun stuff like genitals"

"As you can see, I'm a goth. This job will be a brilliant part of my image"

No, son, it won't. NEXT!

As an interviewer - don't ask open questions that don't have anything to do with the job
ie what animal would you be?
It doesn't prove the persons ability in the field & this kind of interview question may well rule out the person who can do the job
If someone is within the spectrum don't ask open questions - full stop! if someone is nervous or within the spectrum rephrase question if they struggle the idea of a interview is to get to know the person & their abilities - if someone has any speech or communication problems they may need time to show their best.
Don't judge a person by their clothes - if they are formal clean & tidy but not the best quality that is enough.
for the interviewee
check the route the timing of your connections so you will be there early, check any paperwork you need to show is there & organised & carried in a business like bag/folder & do this the night before.
Make sure that your clothes match the interview & job - & don't dress
for a night out - showing too much

@CherryPavlova

Hah. Please don’t pick your nose in the interview. Please don’t tell me about your dog on the application. Please don’t submit a CV unless requested alongside the application form and if you do, make it less than eight pages for a twenty six year old. Please make eye contact.

Hope you don’t interview anyone with ASC (eye contact)

If you're interviewing for a uni place studying business, please don't regale us with stories of how you bribed officials in other countries, which supposedly demonstrates your 'business acumen'. No it doesn't. It shows us you would probably cheat as a student too.

@CherryPavlova I mentioned my dog on my CV, and was asked about him/ had a good chat about dogs in the interview, and got the job! We live very rurally tho and everyone is into dogs so it’s a case of knowing your audience. And yes it was for a professional role - I’m a GP

@TwoLeftSocksWithHoles I actually love that idea 😂 I’d give them the job.