adhd friendly interview tips
hey y’all, i just answered a question in the adhd reddit about how to interview when u have adhd & maybe struggle with it, and then i thought maybe someone here would find it useful.
everyone is different + a lot of job hunting comes down to luck, but here r the steps that help me interview better.
-b4 the interview: do a lil stalking, take some notes on the company. the most important thing is finding the company’s MISSION (almost every company has one, i guarantee) and noting that down, ideally to reference in a cover letter or how you’re a good fit for it. make your nerves come across as passion for the company!
-once u have that info, google “most common interview questions” and rehearse your responses to these questions, maybe taking down notes as well (especially if you’re doing a virtual/phone interview). it doesn’t matter if u actually can recite the same answers u practiced in the real interview—being prepared for that question ahead of time will make it go smoother & there will be less floundering. especially ones like “what’s your biggest weakness” that can actually be a GREAT opportunity to impress if u think ahead
-i also recommend (esp for virtual interviews! HAVE a reference sheet in front of you if possible!) writing down a simple bulleted list of things (skills, experience, etc) u want to bring up/anecdotes you think show what you have to bring to the table, in case u need it & so it’s at the top of your head. good ones r examples of difficulties you’ve overcome, examples of good leadership, etc.
-make sure during the interview to write down any questions u have for the interviewer for the end of the interview, since they WILL ask & u need to have at least one. go tos: “what does day to day practical life look like at this job?” “what r (company’s) high priority goals this year & how will this position contribute to that?” “what should i expect for the rest of the hiring process to look like from here?”
-after the interview, SEND A THANK YOU EMAIL. within 24 hours preferably, at MOST 48. just google “job interview thank you note sample” and plug n chug, preferably adding at least 1 thing specific to ur interview. this makes a great impression, and also opens the line of communication for them to contact you back
i Just had to go thru all this for an interview so it’s fresh on the brain—AND they emailed me back for a 2nd interview the day after i sent my thank u, so clearly it worked at least a little! i know it’s easier said than done, but i find channelling my stressed/nervous energy into research and note-taking before the interview helps me feel more prepared, and therefore be at least a LITTLE more put-together. good luck! there’s a job out there for you :)
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