Neurodiversity series: The interview

As recruiters, it’s likely we have all been taught to pay attention to body language.?

While yes, traditionally, an interview process might have relied heavily on social cues such as body language, eye contact and communication skills, it’s 2023 and we should all know that for some candidates, social cues and social interaction looks different.?

If you are unaware or choosing to ignore this - your interviews could be discriminatory towards neurodiverse applicants, plain and simple.

Like I said before, interviewers should focus on attitude, and perhaps also experience needed for the job – not necessarily how well an applicant applies or interacts with these social cues. Could you offer more support as part of your interview process? It can be an especially stressful situation for a ND person as they are in an unfamiliar location and meeting new people whilst being judged on their abilities.?

The Harvard Business Review ?argues that?‘although neurodiverse people may excel in important areas, many don’t interview well. For example, autistic people often don’t make good eye contact, are prone to conversational tangents, and can be overly honest about their weaknesses.’?

Here are some tips:?

• Reach out and check ahead of time to see if the interviewee needs any additional support. For example, meeting them at the door at a specific time and walking with them to the interview room can ease a lot of pressure and anxiety.
• Providing sight of the interview questions in advance, an outline of the interview structure, and overview of the interviewer/s and guidance on what preparation is required before the interview even takes place.
• Replace the panel format with a one-on-one interview. Trying to read the social cues of 3-4 different interviewers could put a neurodivergent job seeker at a significant disadvantage. Many neurodiverse people struggle to read or pick up on body language, so whilst the interviewer may think that they’re coming across as friendly, the interviewee may not be able to pick up on this and think that they’re not performing well.?

You know where we are if you need us.?

Lukas.?