I've probably done over 100 job interviews in my career.

My interview-to-job offer ratio has increased over the years.

I remember my first interview, fresh out of College/University. It was woeful. I didn't get the job, and I was down about it for a few days.

Tough experience!

• The second interview passed

• The third, still no luck (job offer)

I eventually became immune to the "unfortunately, we've found another candidate who was a closer match to what we’re looking for" messages.

Hindsight is 20/20.

I view the interviews and setbacks as valuable experiences for the roles that I will eventually secure.

On a few occasions, I'd ask for specific feedback on why I wasn't successful, and use that as an opportunity to improve, even if I felt they were bullsh!tting.

I’m still fully aware that you can ace an interview and still not get the job, for “whatever” reason (sad, but it happens sometimes).

The challenges we neurodivergents may experience during interviews may include:

When asked a question that has three follow-ups to it...

“Tell us a time”
“How was it”
“What was it”

That shIt used to throw me off so much.

Some companies do offer “support” to folks who may need assistance.

Although I've never used it, I subconsciously felt that it's all 'lip service' and they may use it against the neurodivergent. But if it resonates, test the waters.

My three-step approach to tackling the interviews for my Neurodivergent brain:

1) Understand your résumé, inside out
2) Research the company
3) Research the role

1) Know your résumé, inside out

It's easy to skim past or forget some valuable stuff that you may have done over the years.

When asked to give my key accomplishments, I still cite my early career experiences.

But I was only able to do this by taking time to review my past experiences over the years. No experience is useless!

Understanding my résumé/CV has helped me recall relevant experiences efficiently and reduced the "waffling" in the interview.

You sound like you know your sh!t more, which is convincing to the interviewer.

2) Research the Company

Key questions:

• What does the company do?

• What do you like about the company?

• Key metrics: I'm a finance guy, so I look at the company’s revenue as an example. You may research something more relevant to your field.

I'll keep it real. I've had 0 interest in some companies I've interviewed for, initially.

For some of us neurodivergents, starting something without motivation is challenging.

But how I get around finding the motivation is using this framework to help me prepare. There’s always something I end up liking about the companies eventually.

3) Research the Job Role

I'm not really a detailed person; I hate the extensive job descriptions that have paragraphs on end!

I'm more of a big picture processor, so I'll try to understand the purpose of the role first.

Doing this helps me delve into the details. While I'm doing this, I'm making mental notes on any relevant experiences I may have that will help me with the interview.

Hence, I need to understand my resume.

What's your go-to interview hack? Reply and share. Let's build this list together

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Lastly,

Stay Different,

The AuDHD Exec

Disclaimer: I am not your psychiatrist, coach, doctor. Neurodiverse Diary does not provide medical services or professional counselling and is not a substitute for professional medical care. Everything I publish represents my opinions, experience, not advice.