During Neurodiversity Celebration Week, Nadia Baba from the talent matching team at mthree offers her advice to neurodiverse students and graduates.
----
Hey, I’m Nadia 👋 . A big part of my role is to help graduates start their careers in roles they’re passionate about.
I’ve worked with people who are neurodiverse and have seen firsthand what graduates can do to take that first step into the working world with confidence. I thought there was no better time to share my advice than during Neurodiversity Celebration Week.
Here are my interview tips for people who are neurodivergent. A few things to keep in mind:
-
Your greatest power is you: you might find it risky to talk about your neurodivergence, but taking control of your narrative can help you feel empowered and boost your confidence during the interview. When you’re asked about your strengths, you can talk about your neurodiversity and the value you bring. For example “I am a dyslexic thinker. When working in a group, the way I solve problems will differ from my colleagues. This helps us collaborate to find the best solution”. Or “I am Autistic. This allows me to think logically and focus. I find this helps when programming or analyzing data.”
-
Advocate for yourself: again, be upfront with the interviewer, it is not uncommon for employers to provide solutions to accommodate your needs. Examples of requests can be extra time, a different interview style such as individual interviews instead of panels, or clarification regarding a specific question.
-
Understand your challenges: think about ways you can work around those challenges and develop strategies using your skills such as attention to detail, thinking outside the box, or problem-solving.
-
Ask the company about their DE&I practices: if you are having a hard time talking about your neurodivergence, you can bring up the topic of diversity & inclusion and even share some key points you found on their website or social platforms.
-
Practice your answers to common questions ahead of time: you can practice with a friend or a family member. If you’re joining mthree, our talent team can help with a mock interview. You can also record yourself to identify areas of improvement, increase your confidence and realign your thought process.
-
Take some time for yourself: the interview process can be nerve-racking, so make sure to press pause, collect your thoughts and get some rest before the interview. Think about meditating, exercising, or getting some fresh air.
Finally, keep in mind that being neurodivergent is part of who you are. Neurodiversity allows us to approach things from a different perspective and help create a positive impact. It’s important to recognize your value and believe in yourself. With the right mindset, you can achieve great success!
