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Job interviews while Autisic

Always Anxious

Hi all,

Just got rejected for a job yet again for the reason of “not selling myself enough” I’ve never been able to do this and after getting diagnosed in 2020 (just before the lockdown) I haven’t really though about how it affects me but after another rejection I am thinking “is it because of how my Austin’s (and anxiety) affects me that prevents me from talking about myself and my achievements. And if it is will I ever be able to overcome it.

I loved the place I was working but I was only a temp with the opportunity to go full time, I am devastated that I’ll have to be leaving a place I felt so comfortable and people accepted me and my diagnoses. 

Parents

  • I'm autistic and when being interviewed I don't get the cues when to stop talking, plus I don't get the questions, or how the people asking really wants them answered. I can overcome some of this by asking for the question to be repeated, tried that, but still didn't get the stop talking cue. That can be solved by explaining I'm autistic before the meeting, but then I will be judged before I'm even met. The final point is the worst, I have only a limited idea of what people want to hear. 

  • in reply to NAS79616

    I hope the document helps. I realised that I usually take the questions too literally/answer too honestly and forget to think about what they 'want' or how to make myself look good. But the worst thing is that I appear too anxious in interviews and that makes them assume that I lack confidence. I have loads of confidence in some things, just not interviews.

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  • in reply to NAS79616

    I hope the document helps. I realised that I usually take the questions too literally/answer too honestly and forget to think about what they 'want' or how to make myself look good. But the worst thing is that I appear too anxious in interviews and that makes them assume that I lack confidence. I have loads of confidence in some things, just not interviews.

Children
  • in reply to Autimator

    Thanks for the advice. I guess what I meant to say is, I clearly exhibit social anxiety and awkwardness, even when I am inside very confident in my ability to do the job. To be fair I don't have much experience so I think I mainly need more practice at 'playing the part'.

  • in reply to BassFace

    Anxiety will make it difficult to convince an employer, unless they see it as just nervousness.  Anxiety management is a good thing to learn so google for online guides or courses, or self-help books.  It takes time, you need to change your thoughts and beliefs about interviews and yourself, that they are something to look forward to and enjoy. You also need more interviews to try things out, so keep applying for jobs, and practice in your mind - visualise walking in confident and ready, able to cope with whatever they throw at you.

    Growth mindset, worth reading up about and work on - autistic people tend to be rigid and assume/believe they can't change, but that's not true, it just takes a lot of effort over a long period.

    Confidence will build by learning to manage your thoughts and feelings about yourself, interviews, and the job itself.  Know yourself, trust yourself - "I can do this".