Slide 1
Employment Workshops
For Adults on The Autistic
Spectrum
Welcome
Slide 2
Session :6
INTERVIEWS
INTRODUCTIONS
GROUND RULES
BEFORE YOUR INTERVIEW
DURING THE INTERVIEW
TYPICAL QUESTIONS
PLANNING EXERCISE
PRACTICE INTERVIEW
EVALUATION OF WORKSHOP
Slide 3
GROUND RULES
It may be helpful to write rules up on
a flip chart or on a white board. Or
have a participant write down the
rules onto a piece of paper. Add the
rules to the ground rule slide at a
later time.
The most important thing is that the
group decide together what the rules
of the group will be.
Some examples of possible ground
rules:
Mobiles on silent
Confidentiality
Respect
Leave the room if you need to, always
a welcome back (designate a place to
go if they need to escape in an
emergency for example a quiet corner
in the hallway)
No discrimination based on gender,
race, religion etc.
Slide 4
Congratulations you got an
interview!!!!!
Slide 5
DON’T PANIC
Staff in an interview don’t want you
to fail!
Staff…
want to find out about you
want to know about your skills for
the job
want someone who can do the job
want to see the best of you
want to make the right choice
Slide 6
Notification of Interview
Letter giving time date, location
and format of Interview.
Email giving time date, location
and format of Interview.
Telephone call stating time, date,
location and format of interview.
Slide 7
For larger organisations ring the
HR (human resources) Dept If you
have any questions.
For smaller organisation direct
your question to the person who’s
name is written on the letter, or
name from telephone call.
This is when you can ask about
any Special Requirements for the
interview, if you have any.
Think about your questions before
you ring.
Do not keep ringing an
organisation.
Once is enough.
This will not create a good
impression before interview.
Pre-interview stage
Mentioning your disability at
this stage and asking for
adjustments to be made
before the interview will
allow you to have an equal
chance. If you don’t need
any adjustments to be
made during the interview
then you need not to say
anything about your
disability prior to the
interview even if you are
planning on disclosing
later on.
Questions you might want to
ask: Remember this will be
your one and only chance
to ask a question prior to
the interview so really
spend time thinking about
what questions you may
have.
How many people will be
interviewing me? Usually
your letter will answer this
question for you anyways.
I get thirsty often, would it be
ok to bring a water bottle
with me?
Do you need me to bring extra
copies of my CV?
Slide 8
DISCLOSURE
Remember the module on
disclosure.
If the organisation is 2 ticks they
will be helpful
BUT If you haven’t told them how
will they know!
Slide 9
WHAT CAN I ASK FOR ?
Reasonable adjustments for
someone who has declared their
needs….
Interview questions in advance
To take a supporter
What the interview will consist of
How many people on interview
panel
To change interview arrangements
To repeat a question you haven’t
understood
Access arrangements
Sensory adjustments
Remember, a reasonable adjustment is an adjustment
made for an individual based on their needs in
order that they will have the same access as others.
The Equality Act Act doesn’t clarify exactly what
would count as a reasonable adjustment as only a
judge can say whether a particular adjustment is
reasonable or not.
Thing’s to consider when deciding if a particular
adjustment is likely to be seen as reasonable or
not?
Cost - whether Access to work will pay for it.
Size of the organization.
How effective the adjustment will be at removing the
barrier.
The effect the adjustment will have on others
Alternative adjustments
The Law says that once an employer is aware of an
individual’s disability they must take reasonable
steps to remove the barrier ie making a reasonable
adjustment
Most reasonable adjustments do not cost much money.
For those adjustments that do cost money a grant
from Access to Work may be obtained.
Access to work is a Government scheme that provides
practical and financial support to help you
overcome barriers when starting or keeping a job
It is important that colleagues understand why you may
need the adjustment. This can be achieved via
disability awareness training. This can be funded
via Access to Work and provided by living with
Aspergers. (can Access to work give help for
adjustments during an interview)
It never hurts to ask. They may simply say yes to your
request. They may respond with a no at which
point you can only do the best that you can under
the circumstances. But you won’t know until you
ask.
Example:
I have a diagnosis of Aspergers Syndrome. I have high
sensitivity to fluorescent lighting. Would it be
reasonable for me to request that the lights in the
interview room be dimmed or if not dimmed could
one of the lights be left off? If not possible would it
be alright if I wore sunglasses during the interview?
I have a diagnosis of Aspergers syndrome which for me
means that I have high anxiety in new and
unfamiliar situations.
Could I request to know before hand who will be
interviewing me on the day and get a description of
the room we will be in so I have an idea of what to
expect on the day?
Slide 10
Preparation Before Your Interview
Interview Format - Type of
questions, presentation.
Research on company
(should follow on from application
form).
Revisit your CV and Application
Form.
Think about any
Weakness/Strengths with
examples
Any Questions you may have
Slide 11
Interview – Format
You may be asked to deliver a
presentation
It may be a set of questions &
answers
They may want to see some
prepared work.
Think about your
Presentation if needed
Possible Questions and Answers
Prepare work portfolio if needed
Slide 12
Research on the Organisation
Why do you need to do this?
They may ask you “What do you
know about this company?”
They may ask “What attracted you
to this company”
“Why did you apply for this job?”
The Products
The reputation of the organisation
Recent awards developments etc.
Don’t over do it just use key
facts to answer up to a sufficient
five minutes on an organisation.
!!!!
It shows you have bothered to find
out.
Slide 13
Questions About your Career
They may ask you :When you were working at ****
What exactly did you do ?
What software packages did you
use when you were at *****
What training did you receive at
******
There is a gap of 2 years between
***** and now, what have
you been doing?
Don’t panic over this, you know
yourself better than anyone its just
all about putting your work history
and training into a logical order.
They may not ask the questions
but its standard and worth having
prepared answers.
Slide 14
Strengths & Weaknesses?
You may be asked “What are your
Strengths –
Pick strengths that are relevant to
the job.
Prepare multiple questions.
Weaknesses – Make this a
positive.
You may have limited experience
of using a particular
Training, say so, say you are
looking forward to
Improving.
Neurotypicals are used to turning
negatives into a positive and
giving examples that’s what you
need to do. !!!
Assessing Your Strengths
Assess your skills, and you will
identify your strengths. This is an
exercise worth doing before any
interview. Make a list of your skills,
dividing them into three categories:
Knowledge-Based Skills: Acquired
from education and experience (e.g.,
computer skills, languages, degrees,
training and technical ability).
Transferable Skills: Your portable
skills that you take from job to job
(e.g., communication and people
skills, analytical problem solving and
planning skills)
Personal Traits: Your unique qualities
(e.g., dependable, flexible, friendly,
hard working, expressive, formal,
punctual and being a team player).
Weaknesses
This is probably the most dreaded
part of the question. Everyone has
weaknesses, but who wants to admit
to them, especially in an interview?
The best way to handle this question
is to minimize the trait and emphasize
the positive. Select a trait and come
up with a solution to overcome your
weakness.
EG, I have very good IT skills but my
experience of using them in work is
limited, I’m looking forward to gaining
that experience.
Slide 15
Questions you could Ask Them
Is there an opportunity for career
development?
Is there opportunity for training?
What sort of office is it?
When will you want the person to
start?
When will you notify the successful
candidate?
Slide 16
FLIM TIME
Classic Job Interview Questions
Slide 17
ARE YOU PREPARED?
What Clothes are you going to
wear?
Do you need a hair cut ?
Do you know how to get there?
Do you know exactly where it is?
Do you know how long will it take
to get there?
Slide 18
WHAT CLOTHES TO WEAR
Slide 19
WHAT CLOTHES TO WEAR?
Men should wear a suit if they
have one
Dark colour is best, no novelty
ties.
If you haven’t got a suit a shirt and
tie is fine.
Women should wear a skirt suit or
trouser suit.
Trousers or skirt and a buttoned
up shirt is also fine
Not Too much make up, enough
to give you confidence
it’s an interview not a night out.
The aim is to look as smart and
business like as you can
Slide 20
WHAT NOT TO WEAR?
Avoid T-shirts Caps Flip-flops
sweat pants Jogging bottoms or
sweatshirts
Especially no
Clothing that is torn, wrinkled, dirty
or smelly
If you would do the gardening in it
or go to the beach AVOID
Slide 21
DRESS FOR SUCCESS
Slide 22
CHECKLIST
Clothes chosen, clean and
ready on a hanger
CV & Application Form
Copies of qualifications in a
folder filed by date not in a heap
Hair recently cut and looking
neat
Questions prepared and
practised
Point to the different pictures of
people and ask the group whether or
not that particular dress would be
appropriate for an interview. Ask
them to explain why it is appropriate
or not appropriate.
Slide 23
HOW DO I GET THERE?
Find out location of interview from
letter and if unsure get directions
from internet, friend etc..
Do a practise run and time it on
mode of transport you will use.
Don’t forget bus and timetables
may make it difficult to arrive near
the time you may be very early.
Go for a coffee/tea walk etc.
Don’t forget to factor in traffic
congestion if it’s a busy time of
day.
Slide 24
THE DAY OF THE INTERVIEW!
Have an early night the night
before
Get up in plenty of time for the
interview try setting more than one
alarm if you have trouble waking.
Get your favourite soaps/
shampoos and scents and have a
good shower or bath.
Revisit you bullet point information
on company and prepared
questions.
Slide 25
THE DAY OF THE INTERVIEW!
Pack your bag with all your
prepared information.
Make sure you have tissues
Eat and have a last coffee before
you dress then those nerves wont
affect the dropping of food on that
new tie or blouse.
After you are dressed just water.
Slide 26
ARRIVAL
Aim to arrive about ten minutes
before interview starts
Before you go in turn your mobile
phone to silent.
Depending on the building go to
reception, it should be signposted
and state you arrived for interview
giving your name and time of
interview.
Remember to smile and keep eye
contact at this point. Remember
tips for eye contact just above eye
or nose etc.
Slide 27
EYE CONTACT
Do you struggle with
making eye contact ?
Have you found a
compromise ?
If you struggle look just above the
eye.
Look at the tip of the nose
Look at one ear.
It could make all the difference
Slide 28
ARRIVAL
The receptionist will probably ask
you to sign in for fire regulations
and you may be given a security
badge for purpose of building
entry.
The receptionist will probably ask
you to wait in a specified area. Say
Thank you and sit and wait for
arrival of interviewer.
The interviewer or designated
person will come and greet you
and take you to interview location.
Slide 29
First Impressions
This first impression is important.
Smile and shake hand with person
who greets you.
More often and not the person will
try and make you feel comfortable
and ask questions like the
following;
Did you find us ok.
Is it cold/warm out .
Talk about interview format etc.
Relax and answer appropriately.
Slide 30
Interview Dos
Shake hands firmly with the
interviewer/ interviewers NOT
TOO HARD, practice
If the interviews starts with an
introduction by the
interviewer. Listen carefully to
what they have to say
Good manners are important
Slide 31
Interview Dos
Smile, make eye contact and look
interested
Look up & Speak up!
Try not to fidget or chew your nails
Keep an open relaxed sitting
position, try it
If there is more than one
interviewer, make eye contact
mainly with the person who asks
you the question
Thank the interviewer for their time
when you leave
Slide 32
Coping with questions - Dont's
Avoid giving simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’
answers – they’re conversationstoppers!
Practise giving relevant
information in response – not too
little, not too much
Be positive, yet honest
Try to mention successes in
previous posts and how these
benefited the employer e.g. –
saved time, saved money,
increased production
Slide 33
PREPARE TO ANSWER THESE
POPULAR INTERVIEW
QUESTIONS
Q. Tell me about yourself.
A. Focus on why you would like
this job and how you have
prepared yourself.
Q. Why should we hire you?
A. When preparing your strengths
answer a situation from previous
work experience or personal
experience whereby you improved
a situation.
Slide 34
PREPARE TO ANSWER THESE
POPULAR INTERVIEW
QUESTIONS
Q. Tell me about any failures and
what you learned from it.
A. Have a situation from previous
experience prepared where
something went wrong and how
you fixed this through change
Q. What do you think it takes to be
successful in a company like ours?
A. Reading the company's job
advert or Web page should help
you answer this question.
Q. What qualifications should you
possess ?
The personal specification should
answer this question and add how
you demonstrate these skills.
Slide 35
PREPARE TO ANSWER THESE
POPULAR INTERVIEW
QUESTIONS
Printed sheet job centre plus
interview questions.
Slide 36
FLIM TIME
The Aspie Show
&
Dr. G Aspie Show
As an option you can have group
participants into pairs and ask one to
role play as the interviewer and one
person to role play as the
interviewee. Practice taking turns
asking each other questions.
Facilitator will need to work to ensure
appropriate content is added. Give
Let’s use the template in your pack each participant the interview
titled...
preparation sheet and give them a
The Interview Preparation Sheet
few minutes to fill in the table.
Think of some things you could do
Plan when you could do them
Slide 37
Planning for your Interview
Slide 38
My Personal planning exercise
Some ideas of things participants may
come up with…
Research the company
Practice answering questions
Do a mock interview with someone
you trust
Develop answers to possible
questions
Practice in the mirror answering the
questions
Have a friend video you answering
some questions and review it
together
Take a trip to the interview site using
the exact mode of transportation you
will take on the day
Create a plan “B” if transport goes
wrong on the day
Pick out what you will wear
Shower, shave etc.
Get a hair cut
Try clothes on and show a friend; get
feedback
Where participants will place these
activities depends on the individual.
Ask if there is anyone in the group
who would like to share.
Slide 39
Mock Interview
There is nothing like trying.
Would someone like to have a go?
Don’t worry if you don’t feel ready
just yet
Facilitator runs a simple mock
interview.
Ideally Pick one that the participants
are interested in.
If not use the simple job description
from Applications module.
No more than 4 questions.
Slide 40
RE-CAP
We looked at how to prepare
yourself
We looked at how to request any
necessary accommodations for
the interview
We looked at what to wear to the
interview
We did a bit of planning for the
interview
We looked at how to answer some
common interview questions
Slide 41
Evaluation
How has this session gone for you
?
Did you contribute ?
Were you listened to ?
Did you feel comfortable ?
Have you found out anything new
?
Is there anything we need to
change for next time?