Answering Questions without preparation

Indeed. 

Especially considering that there can be multiple meanings to word ‘thingy’.. room for misunderstanding I should imagine..

Whilst I cannot currently relate to the difficulty in a work environment, I can relate to the difficulty of being unable to name things in other areas of my life.

When my grandma was alive, it became a bit of a running joke that when she couldn't remember the name of something, it would be referred to as the "thingy". As one might imagine, it could be confusing when there were numerous "thingies", making it hard to determine the particular "thingy" she was referring to.

I am often reminded of my grandma, as I now find that "thingy" features in my own vocabulary. One of the many joys of getting older.  

Thank you for posting Iain, that was interesting.

So, the chances were that no-one was actually listening.

Happily, I'm now  retired and no longer have to navigate the obstacle course of seeking employment, but I know I dropped a couple of clangers in the interview field. And before anyone asks.... NO, I'm not going to reveal them on the forum.

Ben

Ben said:

............and sometimes, after you think you've given a good answer, no-one seems to take any notice.   Then you're left wondering if it was a good answer; an embarrasingly bad answer; or, indeed, if anyone was even listening!

As someone with a lot of experience in interviewing candidates for a lot of companies, the hard truth is that quite a few of the interviews are just to meet our legal obligatons (ie we already have been told who is getting the job but have to be seen as being "fair" to the applicants.

For the actually open positions, the "feel" of the candidate is more important that their skills - ie specific technical skills are quickly and easily trained but aptitude cannot..

I've always worked on the basis that you are only goint to be interviewed if your CV ticks the general skills and experience boxes so there will be some probing questions for bull dropping artists but the focus is on how you respond to questions and role play scenarios.

The positions I recruited for were for tech support - entry level helpdesk to management. I would make people talk me through how they would diagnose a problem by giving them a scenario and responses to what they would check for - it they didn't understand the principles then admit it then they were out. No space for liars, but acknowledging your skill gaps was not a deal breaker.

Lasly was the "difficult customer" role play where they had to deal with me acting as a problematic user who had an issue and the candidate had to navigate the situation calmly and effectively. So many people caved on this but i t was an essential skill for the role.

A core consideration for recruitment is how well you will fit into a team that is already present and make it better. Are you one to inspire, to encourage your colleagues, to share technical interests etc. I'm afraid this is where most autists hit the red flags - we are typically not team players so won't get the job.

Going bacl to my point, it could be you had already failed the interview so the interviewer was just going through the motions

• Yes your example of give us an example of is the type of thing I find hard.  There is probably an example but I couldn't think of it at the time. I was once asked what is your greatest achievement and thought I can't remember doing anything particularly noteworthy, so the example I gave was something from a hobby. I didn't get that job. 

Sometimes we miss it on notifications, so we skip past it because I do that more than I’d like, otherwise I’m all over it..

............and sometimes, after you think you've given a good answer, no-one seems to take any notice.   Then you're left wondering if it was a good answer; an embarrasingly bad answer; or, indeed, if anyone was even listening!

Ben

Yes, I really struggle. In situations where I know I will be asked questions I spend ages beforehand trying to prepare for the unexpected by thinking of everything I could possibly be asked. 

That sounds insane now that I've written it down!

But it feels intensely important to know what to say because in live situations I don't. 

This has been a huge problem in interview situations, job interviews but not just that, any situation that requires me to explain myself. 

On the rare situations when I socialise - although I don't actually do this, I attend and hate every second and am only there because I can't get out of it... 

But on those rare occasions, I have memorized a few things to say so that I can 'join in' and not stand out as not like others, since that never leads to anywhere good.

I find job interviews impossible. I have been discounted from so many because I haven't been able to answer example questions, you know - give us an example of how you've done x, or tell us about a time when... 

Of course you can't adequately prepare for the unknown because there are too many variables. But it doesn't stop me trying. I recently attended a job interview, the first for several years. I became so stressed and obsessed about unknown interview questions that I became quite ill, which I was surprised by. 

So yes, I don't cope well with unexpected questions, or the anticipation of them! 

Homebird said:

It will come in the end but not always at the time I needed it. 

This is often me, in spades!  It's super frustrating.  I can wax lyrical on uber complex and obscure stuff - remembering and able to spout it at length - but then I'll be asked (for example) "what utensil do you eat soup with?"....and no words come, with my face looking like I've swallowed my own tongue....or perhaps the soup spoon in question!

Yes that is true, the setting does make a lot of difference. Another thing I find hard sometimes is naming something common, especially difficult in a work situation. It will come in the end but not always at the time I needed it. 

The first thing is my mind goes totally blank, then my brain doesn't work as fast as I think people expect it to work, then yes if I do think of something like a song I end up with several and are any my favourite at this moment?

Twitch said:

what would happen if in a job interview you actually replied with "Trust you to ask me a question like that.", also said in a friendly, light-hearted tone of voice with a twinkle in your eye and a smile on your face.

You would need to be prepared for the response of "explain what you meant by that".

If you couln't pull off that answer with charm or humour then forget about getting the job.

If you could pull it off, your chances of getting the job just jumped significantly...

I don't mean to make fun of you at all Sparkly but your reply made me wonder what would happen if in a job interview you actually replied with "Trust you to ask me a question like that.", also said in a friendly, light-hearted tone of voice with a twinkle in your eye and a smile on your face. Wouldn't that be hilarious? I'm half tempted to apply for another job just to try it. 

I find that it can very much depend upon the situation... What is the question being asked, who is asking, and are they someone I know, like, or feel comfortable with?

In a formal setting, I am far more likely to struggle. In a relaxed setting with people who know me well, I may get thrown, but I'm far more likely to make light of it and respond with something along the lines of, "Trust you to ask me a question like that!" This will be said in a friendly, lighthearted tone of voice, with a twinkle in my eye and a smile on my face.

Some questions, even the most simple of questions can be enough to throw me. I too would probably struggle to name my favourite song, as what might be a favourite song one day, could be something completely different another day. 

Is it because you can't think of an answer or is it because your mind is actually thinking of about a dozen different answers and they're so busy fighting inside your mind that no single one comes forward? Your example of naming a favourite song would throw me because at any given time it could be one of about five different songs. If I was to answer right now, obviously without the added pressure of an interview situation, it would be 'Everlong' by The Foo Fighters. Tomorrow it might be 'Itchycoo Park' by Small Faces, and so on.

Yes I relate to your last sentence.

I hope not to have any more interviews but am now communicating this at work, for example for courses.

I can relate to the brain whirring. Yes a very wide request gives to many possibilities. It is the same when shopping if too many options it becomes a challenge.

That would be a good method for me as it gives permission to hesitate without feeling awkward.