Job interviews

I have recently finished my Master's degree and have applied for several jobs which will advance my career. This morning I have received an invitation to interview for one of them, and it happens to be the one I want the most. It will be a panel interview, with four people on the panel. There will also be a written test, though there are no details about what this will involve.

The thing is, while I am very good at writing applications, I am terrible at interviews. As well as autism, I have bad anxiety and this is triggered by the interview process, which then exacerbates my difficulties associated with my autism. I find that my mind goes blank and I can't link what I have done in previous jobs to the questions I get asked. Therefore I never give enough information and I struggle to think of relevant examples.

I have asked for adjustments before, but these do not seem to help me much. Extra time does not help as it just prolongs difficult moments and does not help me to think more clearly as I just get more anxious about not being able to come up with an answer. I've found it helpful to receive prompts to give further information, but interviewers rarely do this. I am much better at expressing myself in writing in these situations but I don't think I can suggest a written interview as the job requires contact with people and they'll want to assess my communication. I actually am good with people, particularly the client group for this job, but this does not come across in interviews. If I could do a job trial then I'm positive they would hire me because I'm an excellent worker!

Sorry this is so long but I wanted to give as much detail as possible. Does anyone have any advice on adjustments I could ask for or things I can do to improve my interview skills? I am considering asking for a job trial instead but I doubt this will be allowed. I feel like I need an alternative way of being assessed for the job but I don't know what to ask for. All I know is that interviews are not the best way for me to convey my skills and experience. 

Parents
  • Hi Ghostranch (great name!)

    I've had a lot of job interviews in recent years - including one last Monday, for a job I've just been offered!  I think I'm a bit better at them now.  I was always getting told, in feedback, that I couldn't maintain eye contact - so I try my hardest with that now.  Usually, I pick another place on the person's face and focus on that.  I also spend a lot of time researching the place I'm applying to, checking the Job Descriptions to figure out what questions I'm likely to be asked, making sure I have some examples from my work experience to present to them.  I memorise stuff, too, using simple mnemonics.  If I didn't, I know I'd just flounder around.  You're right - often they won't offer prompts, and you have to take the initiative to come up with stuff. 

    Sorry... I don't suppose any of that is much help.  Maybe you could get something from the doctor to help you through your anxiety on the day.  Remember, though, that they will be expecting you to be nervous.  I fluffed one question on Monday - I wasn't expecting it - but it didn't seem to go against me.

    Can I ask... is this your first big job post-university?  What field are you going into?  Different organisations will have different interview styles and techniques.  They all look for different things.

    Check this out if you haven't already.  There may be something useful there:

    Advice about work

    Good luck,

    Tom

Reply
  • Hi Ghostranch (great name!)

    I've had a lot of job interviews in recent years - including one last Monday, for a job I've just been offered!  I think I'm a bit better at them now.  I was always getting told, in feedback, that I couldn't maintain eye contact - so I try my hardest with that now.  Usually, I pick another place on the person's face and focus on that.  I also spend a lot of time researching the place I'm applying to, checking the Job Descriptions to figure out what questions I'm likely to be asked, making sure I have some examples from my work experience to present to them.  I memorise stuff, too, using simple mnemonics.  If I didn't, I know I'd just flounder around.  You're right - often they won't offer prompts, and you have to take the initiative to come up with stuff. 

    Sorry... I don't suppose any of that is much help.  Maybe you could get something from the doctor to help you through your anxiety on the day.  Remember, though, that they will be expecting you to be nervous.  I fluffed one question on Monday - I wasn't expecting it - but it didn't seem to go against me.

    Can I ask... is this your first big job post-university?  What field are you going into?  Different organisations will have different interview styles and techniques.  They all look for different things.

    Check this out if you haven't already.  There may be something useful there:

    Advice about work

    Good luck,

    Tom

Children
  • Hi Tom, thank you for your reply. I do a lot of interview preparation but become flustered if the questions do not match what I have prepared for.

    The field is psychology, which is what my degree is in. I did a Master's conversion course. This would be my first big job post-university, and it would combine my two passions: psychology and working with people living with dementia. Therefore I really, really want it! I just feel frustrated about my weakness in interviews. I feel that most interviews determine who is best at "selling themselves" rather than who would be best in the role. Unfortunately I am terrible at "selling myself".