Getting rejected after Interviews

TrainyMcTrainFace said:

I memorised all my answers in the format that was recommended and felt like I tried my best in the style that is often expected

I was a hiring manager for a long time and I'm afraid to tell you that this sort of robotic recitation of answers is pretty obvious to us and is not going to improve our opinion of the interview.

You can go and study this stuff and come in with a passing answer even if you barely know the subject so reciting it gives the impression you are just following a script.

In this situation I would start throwing curve ball questions to see if you know what the answer actually means, alternative ways to do the same thing and maybe ask some questions on the less well known stuff to see if you freeze up.

If you don't sound genuine and informed with your answers then you will be up against dozens of others who can be this way.

The point of the question with no proper answer is to see how you process it. I used to use something like "how many ping pong balls can you fit inside an Airbus A380?".

The answer is irrelevant but you need to ask all sorts of fact finding questions to get closer to an answer. Things like:

Are there any seats, people or cargo inside the plan (this affects how much space is available)?

What size are the ping pong balls?

Do the balls have to be round or can they be squished flat?

etc

Then with this info you need to find the manufacturers specs for internal dimensions, calculate the number of balls that can fit inside it, allow a margin for error and ask how they plan to dispose of the balls at the end if they actually try it out.

Seeing how your mind can grapple with a question like this gives a great insight in how you respond to challenges in real life so if you did well then I can have a degree of trust that you will respond well in the role which has the occasional weird challenge.

If you can only do scripted stuff then I would have no use for you - being dynamic in an IT environment is more desirable in almost every instance.

As for disclosing and asking for adjustments, I would wait until after I was hired and passed probabtion as a "high needs" employee is undesirable unless they are after a DEI hire

TrainyMcTrainFace said:

What adjustments could I ask for that would benefit myself that would allow myself to show my abilities

From what you describe there is nothing that will not compromise the interview process. You didn't mention any environmental impacts, just your ability to respond under pressute to unexpected questions.

I would get to work on this in your situation and put myself into dealing with less predictable challenges until I can do them without freezing. Maybe role playing them with family / friends / tutors is a good start.

If you can condition yourself to deal with this then you have a much better skill set to work with and it should be reflected in your confidence in the interview process and later on in the job itself.

Sorry if isn't an eas fix but this is my honest thoughts on the situation. Good luck

Iain said:

If you can only do scripted stuff then I would have no use for you - being dynamic in an IT environment is more desirable in almost every instance.

What I meant was, and this is something they specifically requested as well that they would ask questions that required answers based on the STAR format which is something that my answers were essentially based around but I tried to word them in a way that I could explain 

Now when I say adjustments I mean for example changing the interview to a one on one so I feel like I can allow myself to confidently give my answers without feel like im being extremely pressured, or allowing me to write/type answers down or allowing me to view questions in advance which for what I know companies would be willing to do to make things a bit more comfortable. 

what sort of roles are you appling for?

My experience is either for IT or construction positions (quite different fields) so may not be relevant to your target,

If you are applying to be a librarian for example then the requirements would be very different.

TrainyMcTrainFace said:

for example changing the interview to a one on one so I feel like I can allow myself to confidently give my answers without feel like im being extremely pressured

A big part of the interview if to see how you cope under pressure which is why I suggested you get practice of this until youcan cope effectively with it.

Most jobs have a degree of pressure as part of them so you need to be able to cope in order to fulfill your role.

It typically takes a lot more effort from us to do this (compared to neurotypicals) but it is an invaluable life skill to learn.

TrainyMcTrainFace said:

its just interviews I have issues with

Then I would focus on the role play of interviews as much as you can get - get the other people to throw in unpredictable questions and get into the habit of answering them until you master the challenge.

You seem to have all the other stuff sorted so that would be how I would do it.

TrainyMcTrainFace said:

its just interviews I have issues with

Then I would focus on the role play of interviews as much as you can get - get the other people to throw in unpredictable questions and get into the habit of answering them until you master the challenge.

You seem to have all the other stuff sorted so that would be how I would do it.