Interview Tips for People with Autism

Interview Tips for People with Autism

Are you on the autism spectrum and wondering how on earth you're going to get through an interview with a potentially neurotypical interviewer? It can be tough, but it's definitely not impossible by far. Sure, you might have to work a little harder than other people to get your foot in the door, but working harder to get what you want is something you might already be pretty good at.

In this post, we've tried to get as much information as possible about what you're facing when trying to apply for and get a job you like. Read on to find out how to put your best foot forward.

Preparing for the interview

Preparation can help a considerable amount with anxiety. Figuring out beforehand what you’re going to talk about in your interview and why has the power to boost your confidence and calm the nerves. When you walk into an interview prepared, it definitely shows. 

Here are some other handy tips and tricks to get you through the interview:

1. Get a pen and notebook to write notes in the night before your interview and take them with you to the interview. Make sure the pen you take is tidy and hasn’t been chewed.
2. Check out the company’s website or other reading material and write down a few questions about the company and the role. This is good for the end of the interview when they ask “Do you have any questions for me/us?” Watch out on this one, and be sure not to ask questions they’ve already answered during the interview.
3. In your notebook, write out a few reasons you want the job and why you think that you’d be the best candidate for the role. 
4. Print out a copy of your resume for each interviewer, plus one for yourself. You can use the resume as a point of reference during your talk with your potential employer. If this is your first job, place a section for your hobbies and interests where the job section would be. You should also list your education before hobbies and interests. 
5. Also the night or day before, practice your answer to the typical question "Tell me about yourself."
6. Ask for a glass of water while you wait and take that water into the interview with you. This works twofold: firstly, you won’t be trying to talk and talk with a parched mouth. Secondly, you can use the water to take sips when you need extra time to answer a question. Try to only take a few sips throughout the interview, otherwise it could come off as a little excessive. 
7. Get sleep before your interview and try to give yourself 2-3 hours to get ready and get to the interview in the morning. 

Body language

Humans can say a lot through body language, but interview body language almost never comes naturally. It’s something you’ve got to practice a bit. Don’t know how? Check appropriate YouTube videos of interview body language and give it a go yourself. Practice with friends and family as well as practicing in front of the mirror. 

Here are some other tips for interview body language: 

• Keep your back straight and shoulders back, yet relaxed
• Whenever possible, try to maintain eye contact with your interviewer. Do remember to blink!
• Smile. A natural smile every once and a while through the interview can work wonders
• Try not to fidget too much 
• Try not to play with your hair or objects on the table
• Make sure your introductory handshake and departing handshake are not too soft and not to strong. A firm (not bone crushing) handshake with eye contact.

Interview tips for people with autism

Do your homework. You need to do some research on the company you're applying for as well as the job you're applying for. Knowing what you're going to say and how you're going to present yourself will help you to be as prepared as you possibly can be for the interview. Having a firm idea of what you're going to talk about will also be a great boost to your confidence, which can really go a long way.

Should you tell your interviewer that you're on the autism spectrum?

Never be ashamed about is to disclose a disability (a mental or physical one), even if you're at the very beginning of your job search. If you feel that you would like to tell your interviewer that you’re on the spectrum, try to choose a time either at the very beginning or end by saying something like the following: 

“In the interest of honesty, I feel that it is pertinent to let you know that I am on the autism spectrum. This will not affect my ability to get my work done, but I may sometimes have a slightly different way of finding a solution. Utilized well, my disability is actually an ability and more like a superpower. 

I have every faith that my ability will add a fresh dynamic and provide your business with new perspectives on problems and challenges.”

You could also wait until they ask a question during the interview about a time you’ve faced a challenge and how you handled it. At this point, you could disclose your autism and show what tools you have built to work with your autism instead of against it, and how that could benefit their company.

If, however, you do not want to tell the interviewer, you don’t have to. Try a few interviews out at different companies and see what approach is best for you.

Conclusion

Your chances of getting a job interview are a lot better than you might think. There are tons of opportunities out there for you to try. If you keep trying, something will come to fruition. Just keep trying.

Oh, and by the way, this advice is pretty much the same whether you’re on the spectrum or not. Interviews are one of the most anxiety-provoking events in the universe, but we’ve got each other. That interviewer may not know what exactly they’re doing either, they’re just asking the questions pulled from Google and hoping that you don’t realize that they’re a bit lost. Probably the best advice that could be given in life in general is: help them and they’ll help you.