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First job rejection since diagnosis. Why are interviews seen as the best way to judge your abilities?

Biblio44

Apologies, I may well rant a bit here.

Diagnosed with ASD just over 5 weeks ago, at age 43. Still trying to accept that and wondering how to move forward in life. 

Received my degree results 2 weeks ago - BSc first class honours, despite various burnouts/shutdowns etc etc. I am proud of that achievement despite the huge toll it took on me.

Decided to apply for a job I know I could easily do, directly related to my degree, and I was invited for interview (which was totally exhausting for days before, actual day of interview, and a whole week of waiting for outcome).

I then receive a standard email today saying I was not suitable for the position. I am so frustrated. I know this will sound arrogant but I believe I have a higher level of intelligence than all 4 people who interviewed me. I have considered deleting that sentence but I believe it to be true so I have left it in.

I know the interview was probably not brilliant but I did my best to get across my skills and knowledge. Why oh why does the world insist on using interviews as the main way to judge whether someone is suitable for a job or not? 

Feeling quite angry and frustrated at the moment.

I wish there was an alternative method to interviews, it puts me at a disadvantage immediately. Has anyone heard of any companies using alternative methods to recruit? 

Parents

  • Hello Biblio44, I have also recently come onto the forum, having been diagnosed with Level 2 ASD. Please do feel free to ask any questions and read my profile. I'm sure that everyone on here will give their best advice.

    Congratulations on getting your degree, it's nice to hear from other academics!

    I know how frustrating it is to be turned down for jobs. I finished my degree four years ago and I have been rejected for pretty much every position that I have applied for. You know and you employer probably knows that you can do the job without any issues. However, for whatever reason, they turn you down. During interviews that I have, I try, but struggle, to expand on my knowledge of things. Also, my lack of experience of the workplace does not help.

    The NHS has an option of disclosing any disabilities, I know that Autism is classed as a condition. During the application process, there is an option of choosing to be prioritised for interview should you hold the relevant skills.

    On Find A Job, on the lower corner of some job adverts there is a logo stating that the certain company is Autism Friendly.

  • in reply to CaliforniaDreamer95

    Hi there, thanks for your reply. There was a question on the application form to disclose a disability but I don't like to think of myself as disabled so I ticked 'do not wish to say'. Rightly or wrongly, I also think that if I disclosed my diagnosis before my interview I would be less likely to get the position, as most people have no real understanding of the condition. I had decided that if I was offered the job I would then disclose my condition to gain appropriate support (that was a big decision). Perhaps that's why I feel so bad about the rejection as I was going to actually drop the normal act once they let me in. 

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  • in reply to CaliforniaDreamer95

    Hi there, thanks for your reply. There was a question on the application form to disclose a disability but I don't like to think of myself as disabled so I ticked 'do not wish to say'. Rightly or wrongly, I also think that if I disclosed my diagnosis before my interview I would be less likely to get the position, as most people have no real understanding of the condition. I had decided that if I was offered the job I would then disclose my condition to gain appropriate support (that was a big decision). Perhaps that's why I feel so bad about the rejection as I was going to actually drop the normal act once they let me in. 

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