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Job interviews can be a challenge for people who are . We've put together tips and resources to help you make the most of your interview experience.

Employers are also encouraged to make interviews more inclusive to address the . 

You can also access resources through the .

Respond to the interview request

Here are the steps you can take once you've been invited to an interview.

1) Prepare your response quickly

The team that is processing job applications often works under tight deadlines. Responding prompty shows your professionalism. If you need accommodations for the interview, request them early so the employer can address your needs effectively.

2) Respond to the interview invitation

Every interaction with an employer or recruiter is an opportunity to make a strong impression. Match their tone and style to demonstrate how you fit their company culture.

As a neurodivergent individual, you may usually feel most comfortable responding in a linear way. this may look like only confirming your availability or answering specific questions.

Instead, we invite you to think about using your response to show enthusiasm for the role and highlight how your skills are valuable. Try writing a three-paragraph reply that expresses your excitement and includes examples of your relevant experiences.

Instead of a short response like this:

Dear [recruiter],

Thank you for the invitation to interview for the position of [job title] for [company/organization]. The [proposed time] works best for my schedule.

Thank you kindly.

[Your name]

Consider writing something that goes into more details, like this:

Dear [recruiter],

Thank you for extending an invitation to interview for the position of [job title] for [company/organization]. I am very excited at the opportunity to discuss how my experience [list your relevant experience] has provided me with [list your core strengths and skills that will be functional if you are given the role]. I confirm that [list proposed time slot that suits your schedule] works best for me. 

I look forward to receiving further instructions and to meeting you at the interview.

Best regards,

[Your name]

3) Research the company

Employers want to know if you are a good fit for their team and share enthusiasm for their goals and values. Research the company’s website and create a two-column table: list their core values, mission, and goals on the left, and how your experiences align on the right. Use this table to craft answers for common interview questions.

Prepare for the interview

1) Plan what to wear

When choosing what to wear for an interview, think about the workplace, its customers or clients and others connected to the organization. It's usually best to dress more formally, but consider who you will be interacting with on the day of the interview.

For example, if you're applying for a social worker position, business attire might be too formal and create a distance between you and the prospective clients. In this case, business casual might be a better choice.

2) Get ready for the interview

As you get ready for the actual interview, It can help to write specific scripts in response to typical or common questions.

In general:

• aim to keep your answers to between 2 and 3 minutes long
• focus on the core values that you identified while you were researching the company
• show you personal interest in the role, but don't get lost in the details

Questions focused on who you are

Employers will often ask common questions to learn about who you are and how you would be as part of the team.

We've provided information about what employers are hoping to learn when they ask certain types of questions, as well as guidance about how to respond. 

"Tell me about yourself."

This open-ended question is often used by employers to understand how your background suits the role and company culture.

Prepare a 3-minute response that directly ties your experience to the job and the company’s values. Only include your hobbies or activities if they clearly relate to the position.

"How would you describe yourself?"

This question helps employers assess how well you fit into the organization's culture. While neurodivergent people often value honesty, keep in mind that it's best not to emphasize your negative traits. 

Instead, highlight your strengths that align with the role, such as your deep focus, attention to detail or creative thinking. If you're unsure how to prepare, consider asking others how they would describe you.

"What is your biggest weakness?"

Questions like these let you describe your resilience and self management skills. Choose a workplace or academic challenge where you have shown growth and highlight the steps you took to overcome it.

End on a positive note, showing how you have managed the challenge. Be sincere but select a challenge that does not directly impact the main duties of the job you are applying for.

"Tell us about a major problem you've encountered and how you solved it."

The goal of this question is to evaluate your resilience and problem solving abilities. If the situation you describe involved others, detail how you handled it and why you involved those people.

Wrap up with a reflection on the outcome and, if applicable, a brief statement on how this experience could be valuable in the role you are applying for.

Behavioural questions

These questions often ask you to describe a specific past experience and how you dealt with challenges and opportunities. 

"Tell me about a time when you had to work with colleagues to solve a problem."

Questions like these are designed to help employers understand how you may perform in the role they are looking to fill.

We recommend that you use the to answer these questions. End by reflecting on what you learned from the experience and how it will contribute to your success in this role.

• See other examples of behavioural questions.

Hypothetical questions

In some instances, you may be asked hypothetical questions, like:

"Imagine your boss is critical of a project that you've completed. How would you handle the situation?"

Imagining a hypothetical response may be difficult for neurodivergent people, since there are so many possible variables. Instead, reference a real situation that you've experienced, in the same way that you would answer a behavioural question.

• See other examples of hypothetical questions.

Questions about your goals

When employers ask questions about your goals, they are hoping to determine how your goals connect to the position. This can help them get a sense of your commitment to this type of role.

Tailor your answer to show how your goals align with what you can contribute by rerencing the organization's mission or values.

Avoid focusing too much on personal or financial gains. Instead, highlight how your goals will benefit the organization.

• See other examples of questions about your goals.

Questions for the employer

At the end of the interview, you'll likely be asked if you have any questions.

Come prepared with one or two questions that relate to the role and to the company values.

Avoid asking practical questions about the remaining hiring process, as these can wait until you receive further communication.

• See other examples of questions to ask employers.

Ending the interview

You can end the interview by saying thank you to the panelists.

After the interview, sit down and reflect on interesting remarks shared by the panelists that you can refer to in personalised thank you notes. Making the time to send out personalised thank you notes may help you stand out and is a good common practice.

Get support

If you want to take a deeper look at your interview preparation with your personal considerations in mind, contact the accessibility and inclusion co-op and career coordinator.