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So I'm #ActuallyAutistic and have been helping out with some interview panels to make them autism (and neurodiverse) friendly ahead of the interviews and um here's a #thread on changes I recommend based on my own experience of interviews! 1/
First the good things that were already being done! Sending photographs with names and info on everyone who will be on the panel (did NOT realise the pic I uploaded from my insta profile would end up next to professional headshots here lol) ahead of time 2/
It can be overwhelming to meet new people esp in interview. If in person, waiting for an interview, anyone who passes is maybe the interviewer and it's a lot of anxious waiting and smiling at random people. If I know what you look like I can relax and introduce myself properly 3/
Another great thing is sending interview questions in advance to everyone. This lowers anxiety, helps prepare, and is a helpful aid to stay on topic and will also help with audio processing of the question. You get more out of people when they know what to expect! 4/
Now things to avoid: broad, vague questions. Like 'tell me about your research skills'. This could mean so many things and my brain gets overwhelmed with them all, AND I'm supposed to prompty answer so I don't have time to work out what you mean and then pull a good example! 5/
Instead ask directly what you want to know. This includes whether you want a specific example! A valid answer to 'do you have experience in thematic analysis?' is yes. But you actually wanted me to describe a project I worked on and my involvement/role, so Ask That! Please. 6/
Also please don't ask me more than one thing at once. You want to ask me about project management and public engagement? Great! But those are separate things and need separate questions otherwise I will answer one and forget the other, or answer both very briefly and badly 7/
Prompts are great! Did I need to go into more detail? Tell me. Did you want an example? Tell me. I have a wealth of experience, but unless you ask about it, I don't know what you want from me! Put those prompts into the interview questions you're giving me in advance too 8/
Introduce a topic before asking anything! If I'm talking about my PhD and suddenly we're on management I will get thrown and overwhelmed and need to adjust and work out what you want and find an- Yeah. A simple 'Okay now we're going to talk about X' first really helps! 9/
If you ask about specific experience and I don't have any, widen the question! I may have experience that is still very relevant or the right transferable skills to do it, but the question didn't ask about that. Preferably allow for that in the intial question where possible! 10/
Other helpful aids that are less relevant rn because Covid: images of the building and the room I'll be interviewed in, information on how to get there via public transport or where to park, ask if I need any adjustments to the room (e.g lighting). 11/
All these minimise unncessary stress, help preparation and improve the quality of the interview for all candidates (and give the interviewer better information to make their decision with). Basically it's better for everyone when you make interviews neurodiverse friendly! 12/end
