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Is it worth mentioning you have autism at a job interview?

BikerCat666

Hi, everyone!

I am new to the community and was wondering if anyone else has had this same issue:

I am currently 27 and was recently diagnosed with autism last September.

I have been in the Graphic Design industry for 5 years now and I have been looking for a new job since the new year due to losing my previous one.

I currently have a little part time job but with the circumstances around Covid-19 there are little to no new jobs available.

When I was looking / applying / getting interviews etc, I didn't always put autism in the "disability" section unless that company is a well known / big brand because I was too scared I would put employers off as being "defective".

However, if I was to get another interview in the future, is it worth mentioning?

What do people think of this? Does it just come down to the employer themselves?

Thank you in advance! ^^

Parents

  • I think a lot depends on how well you pass as NT and how autism-friendly the company is.     

    If your CV content makes you look competent, they'll be more likely to call you for interview regardless of ticking the box or not.      I'd be tempted to tick the box if I was going for a civil service job - they love / need their quotas, similarly, big companies like to play social games with their recruitment - but remember, your CV will convince them if they are borderline on the 'special' status candidate.

    Smaller companies have a lot more to lose with their recruiting so I'd not mention it on the letter - but if you get an interview, try to judge their feeling towards you - especially if you can demonstrate why your autism is extra-useful for them (attention to detail, single-mindedness, abstract solutions, high work ethic etc).   Try to understand their needs and how you can solve all their problems.

    I can pass very well at interviews - I make it a performance piece where I can be a chameleon morphing into whatever they think they want (years of learning to hide in plain sight) - I do this to put the ball in my court - as far as they are concerned, I'm the best thing since sliced bread - I can then decide if I want the job and if I'm capable of doing it.

  • in reply to Plastic

    Good point about the CV because that's the first thing they look at. I have made it as a designed one for it to stand out too so I can sell myself and show off my skills before they've even seen me.

    I've had a very bad experience with smaller companies hence me being so sceptical about mentioning it now.

    The downsides with my traits are things like I have to get things explained twice and people don't always think I have been listening when that is not the case. I just have a selective memory and this has caused a lot of frustration in the past for me.

    Thank you for the advice. Blush

  • in reply to BikerCat666

    Also, I forgot to mention that you usually find a lot of creative people are autistic so they should understand. Wink

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