Interview Prep for Neurodivergent Job Seekers

Written by Nicole

You’ve submitted over 78 jobs applications. You’ve only heard back from 10% of those applications and most of those replies are automated rejections. You’re starting to lose a little steam.

One random Tuesday afternoon, you get a reply from a hiring manager saying that they would like to schedule an interview early next week! That burst of excitement and relief you feel in that moment is a feeling you actually want to bottle up keep for later, right?

Inevitably, the reality of actually doing an interview hits you. Because let’s just be real for a second - job interviews are a very particular set of social skills and unspoken rules. This can be a bit more challenging for us neurodivergent folks to navigate.

But, my friends - preparation is everything. Here are a few practical tips that for you that will help you prepare for the interview. Let’s make it a little less of a nerve-wracking experience, shall we?

Ask and you shall receive

You’ve got the interview scheduled - schwing 🔥. Now, you’re going respond immediately to whoever your point of contact is - be it the hiring manager or the recruiter - and ask them if they can give you the interview questions or the topics that will be discussed in advance of the interview. Let them know in the message that having access to that information will help you effectively prepare for the interview.

Once you have that sweet sweet information, go through and jot down responses for each topic and question as it relates to your previous experience. Get specific in the responses with professional anecdotes.

The real key to crafting these responses is to tell stories! This is an excellent way to be memorable in the interview.

Let’s get physical

Next, you want to take some time to consider your physical environment during the interview. A lot interviews happen remotely over Zoom or over the phone. Make sure you are set up in a spot that has an optimal wifi connection avoid any technical snafus during the interview!

The fewer distractions around you, the better you’ll be able to focus your attention on the interview and your responses. If I am being completely real with y’all - if my phone is anywhere in my line of sight during a virtual interview, even if it’s face down, I’m cooked. The last thing you want is to be trying to formulate a coherent answer to a question and one look at a distracting object completely throws off your train of thought and you forget what you’re saying. Oh, just me?

Another thing that can really help during those virtual interviews is having a quiet fidget toys. Having a fidget object can help maintain focus and keep you on task. Of course, be sure they are not visible during the interview!

Practice, practice, practice!

No one likes to hear this (again - just me?) but practice actually does make you better at stuff!

I know, right?!

But in all seriousness, rehearse those answers! Pull out your phone or open up an empty Zoom call and pretend you’re in the interview. Record your introduction and watch it back. Practice connecting your story back to the topic or question. Maybe you notice you’re speaking a little faster than you thought!

Recruit your buds to interview do a mock interview with you. It can help to simulate the conditions of the interview without the pressure of messing up your shot. Because you’re not throwing away your shot. I really had to do that one, I’m so sorry.

If you’re finding that you’re struggling to hit the right wording, you can write some keywords down on sticky notes and place them ✨strategically✨ around you and out of sight to the interviewer. You didn’t hear that one from me 😉

A reminder for you, dear friends

Interviewing is arguably the toughest part of the job seeker’s process. But with the right prep, you can walk in (or log in) feeling way more confident and ready to nail it. At the end of the day, try not to forget that every interview is a learning experience, and no matter the outcome. With each interview, you’re gaining valuable skills that’ll help you land the right job for you.

We cover a lot of this and more in our Job Seeker Toolkit, which you can access via the career coaching that we offer here at Colorful Futures. Check out what we’ve got and get in touch if you’re in the market for some more interview tips!