Published on 12, July, 2020
So I got an interview coming up for a post I applied for a few weeks ago. On the job description it said informal visit advised. So I booked a visit for today. I also said to the hiring manager in an email that I have autism and would love an idea on the structure of the interview so it would help calm my nerves, as this has helped me in the past.
So during my visit today, she did ask about my autism and how she can help which was nice. But also asked me what caused me to seek a diagnosis, there must be something I was struggling with. I felt completely uncomfortable answering that. Then proceeds to ask if I am taking meds for it. I guess the last one threw me off a bit.
How do I answer questions like this?
The interview was with the NHS.
I think she's trying to decipher your coping skills and how they can be supported in the job but it does feel invasive because there will no doubt be so many emotions attached to struggling as an Autistic person to be able to give a succinct answer. In the scenario I'd ask if I can take a note of the questions to process them and email the answers as you need time to process things (if you do?). Interviews are very invasive and scary anyway but it's also about scoping out whether the job and people work for you. If you felt uncomfortable in the interview, maybe that's something to take note of....