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Robdemanc
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08 May 2013, 3:07 pm

I had two interviews recently and in both I disclosed my AS. I know this is not recommended, especially at the interview stage, but my reason is valid. I have not worked for almost 3 years and so naturally the interviewer wants to know what the reason for this career break was. So I tell them the truth - I learned that I had AS and felt I needed to take a break....it has taken me time to learn about it and come to terms with it....I have pursued some personal hobbies and work projects etc.

Neither of the interviewers had heard of AS. I explained briefly about it and that I have a mild case.

The first company invited me back for a second interview, so it seemed to indicate they were not concerned about it. However, I didn't get the job because they said they had a stronger candidate.

I have not heard from the other company yet.

I wonder if I have been stupid in telling them about my AS at the interview but I didn't feel I had a choice because I could only tell the truth about why I had time off.

What do people here think?



Marcia
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08 May 2013, 3:32 pm

According to your profile you don't have a diagnosis.

I always think honesty is the best policy at interviews, but I am a little confused as it seems you are disclosing a diagnosis you don't have. Or is your profile wrong?



animalcrackers
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08 May 2013, 3:36 pm

I wouldn't say it was stupid; You have what seems like a perfectly good reason to disclose. I would guess it's hit and miss when it comes to whether or not people will understand, and whether their reaction will be positive/neutral vs. negative.


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cubedemon6073
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08 May 2013, 4:00 pm

I have been told by those in my family that one needs to disclose. One of my uncles was a CEO of a company as well. He told me the same thing. He said that I needed to disclose. To my family members and others my AS is obvious. I need to be upfront, honest and lay it on the table. This is what I was told. I spoke to a career coach and he said the same thing.

It also shows that you are honest. By trying to hide it it can be claimed that you're trying to sell a false bill of goods. They probably did have a stronger candidate. He or she may have had more experience. Who knows? Hiding it does not work at least for me. You all may think you're hiding it but remember some of us on the spectrum do have weak theory of minds. We do not know what they perceive.

I think the main reason a lot of us on here have difficulty obtaining employment is because of this.



cubedemon6073
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08 May 2013, 4:00 pm

animalcrackers wrote:
I wouldn't say it was stupid; You have what seems like a perfectly good reason to disclose. I would guess it's hit and miss when it comes to whether or not people will understand, and whether their reaction will be positive/neutral vs. negative.



I think you're right and I think we need to gravitate towards the positive.



glow
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08 May 2013, 5:38 pm

In this country its like an open and shut case. The more you disclose about yourself the more they will take literally what it is you're actually saying.
Of course intelligent people are smart so they need to sound like they are being casual too when in fact they're are just being overly alert and rude.
Ive found myself in many interviews with or without the subconscious knowledge that someone who works for your claim is going to come and interrogate the whatsit out of you if things don't go as well as planned. of course I had a late diagnosis, as things weren't ordinarily received by everyone I worked for amassing in product breakdown and loss of protocol etc. (really it was just a foul up of the printer ink) and I m not embarrassed to say it got me nowhere as really it opened my eyes a bit more to the world in which I live in and without that as far as common knowledge goes I would probably be financially corrupt by now anyway. When people see me for the first time they look at me as if im some straightforward business woman, the only way you'll get me speaking turkey is when someone wants to negotiate a deal and im included in the franchise. not stealing my assets away. if such a thing ever did occur. now ive forgotten my post, someone please remind me what this was all about.



AlanMooresBeard
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08 May 2013, 5:49 pm

I would usually be wary of disclosing AS at a job interview or at any point of the application stage but you seem to have a good reason for mentioning it in your case. The fact that you did get a second interview in one of your applications shows that making employers aware of it will not necessarily affect your chances of getting a job.



1062651stAvenue
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08 May 2013, 6:33 pm

Quote:
I had two interviews recently and in both I disclosed my AS. I know this is not recommended, especially at the interview stage, but my reason is valid. I have not worked for almost 3 years and so naturally the interviewer wants to know what the reason for this career break was. So I tell them the truth - I learned that I had AS and felt I needed to take a break....it has taken me time to learn about it and come to terms with it....I have pursued some personal hobbies and work projects etc.

Neither of the interviewers had heard of AS. I explained briefly about it and that I have a mild case.

The first company invited me back for a second interview, so it seemed to indicate they were not concerned about it. However, I didn't get the job because they said they had a stronger candidate.

I have not heard from the other company yet.

I wonder if I have been stupid in telling them about my AS at the interview but I didn't feel I had a choice because I could only tell the truth about why I had time off.

What do people here think?


I'm not sure from what you write, whether you said on the application form that you have AS. My advice (I'm currently employed and got my dx while I was working) is this: you need to reveal on the application form that you have AS, but also submit a dummy application with all the details largely the same, but with the AS omitted. This will flush out whether an employer is discriminating against you on the basis of your AS, or not.

A dummy application is submitted by a different person (a friend preferably) with YOUR details on bar name and address, and like I say with the AS bit omitted. If the dummy application succeeds, then the person needs to ring up the employer and withdraw their application. Then you can decide if you want to pursue the company for breaking the Equality Act 2010; it is also useful, even if you are unemployed, to join a trade union and get them to fight on your behalf for you in these matters - it is the cheapest way to do it.

I completely agree with the other posts that say you should be honest at interview - it is definitely a plus point. An interview is an employer saying that you have made the short list; in other words, they think you can do the job, but are you the right person for the position? This needs to be tested against the other candidates selected for interview. In that situation, it is an imperative that you need to be honest.



1062651stAvenue
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08 May 2013, 6:35 pm

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I had two interviews recently and in both I disclosed my AS. I know this is not recommended, especially at the interview stage, but my reason is valid. I have not worked for almost 3 years and so naturally the interviewer wants to know what the reason for this career break was. So I tell them the truth - I learned that I had AS and felt I needed to take a break....it has taken me time to learn about it and come to terms with it....I have pursued some personal hobbies and work projects etc.

Neither of the interviewers had heard of AS. I explained briefly about it and that I have a mild case.

The first company invited me back for a second interview, so it seemed to indicate they were not concerned about it. However, I didn't get the job because they said they had a stronger candidate.

I have not heard from the other company yet.

I wonder if I have been stupid in telling them about my AS at the interview but I didn't feel I had a choice because I could only tell the truth about why I had time off.

What do people here think?


I'm not sure from what you write, whether you said on the application form that you have AS. My advice (I'm currently employed and got my dx while I was working) is this: you need to reveal on the application form that you have AS, but also submit a dummy application with all the details largely the same, but with the AS omitted. This will flush out whether an employer is discriminating against you on the basis of your AS, or not.

A dummy application is submitted by a different person (a friend preferably) with YOUR details on bar name and address, and like I say with the AS bit omitted. If the dummy application succeeds, then the person needs to ring up the employer and withdraw their application. Then you can decide if you want to pursue the company for breaking the Equality Act 2010; it is also useful, even if you are unemployed, to join a trade union and get them to fight on your behalf for you in these matters - it is the cheapest way to do it.

I completely agree with the other posts that say you should be honest at interview - it is definitely a plus point. An interview is an employer saying that you have made the short list; in other words, they think you can do the job, but are you the right person for the position? This needs to be tested against the other candidates selected for interview. In that situation, it is an imperative that you need to be honest.



Ann2011
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08 May 2013, 7:39 pm

I wouldn't tell them of any health concerns that made you unable to work. Rather, come up with some more positive story . . . like you took time off to travel or to work on writing or something. If they think there is a vulnerability they will pass. At least, that's my experience.



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08 May 2013, 7:41 pm

I disclosed for the job I'm currently doing. I figured it was okay because I'm working with a lot of young people with ASDs and they'd already seen me doing the job on a part-time, temporary basis before the interview. I also highlighted the positives of having the conditions as it relates to my role (understanding students' needs). I realise that my job is a special case, though.

Given your situation, I do think disclosing was not a bad idea, as long as you tried to explain how it won't affect your work performance and might even help you focus in some areas. You've got to be extremely positive in interviews - they're often impressed if you can put a positive spin on something that causes difficulty.


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managertina
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08 May 2013, 10:17 pm

I advocate for not disclosing at the interview. Just say, 'I'm the sort of person who...' and then disclose after working a day or two. Not being completely honest is not lying. It's called self preservation, as your interviewers have no obligations towards you. . You can always tell the truth during your first week. It's a personal thing, though. Don't ever lie at the interview. At least, do not disclose on the application form. Employers will always find a way to weed out your form. Personally, if a search on the term 'Asperger's' reveals that the syndrome has characteristics that would seriously hinder your job, it is not illegal for an employer to weed out your application. Especially if, as with many jobs, there are stronger candidates.



glow
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09 May 2013, 3:46 am

Oh right, yes. now I remember what this was about. sometimes in interviews you forget what you're going to say to make you seem as passive as everyone else when you are being interrogated. People say employers /interviewers seem to notice my weak points straight away either by looking at me or judging me first most by my character which I dislike as it feels like an invasion of privacy.
I think I never have disclosed it, as I have had no interview in quite a long time .
so as in terms of speaking out, Id feel less likely to be judged by my co-workers if I mentioned suddenly, oh and by the way I have diagnosed Asperger's.
The thing I'm worried about mostly is suffering a mental breakdown because I cant handle the pressure. A lot of selfish people exist in the area im from and to be fair I have searched in areas I can access and be comfortable in at the same time. Of course, I have looked further afield as you're supposed to, but im angry since the other day since I saw my new advisor, who just looked at me and said, 'were you on a course?' I thought is she putting words inside my mouth? I said, 'oh no, that was like last year. ' then she mentioned apprenticeships and before that these other advisors were bitching and slagging off some of their other claimants, which I felt was heartless and lacked any sort of privacy to do their jobs well.
So as well as feeling ive been there done that, im now back to square one with the whole must find work and stuff, others who are on the esa will know that you cant survive off of it. its just impossible in this economy, even if your parents were to kick you out, what shelter would you be able to access ? Inwardly im feeling slightly claustrophobic and bad that I cant even do something right and then theres the other part where id love to live by the sea somewhere or something privy to that. Basically, now what the changes now mean in my society, is that from which the queen has passed her legisalation following a slow demeanour to the whole migrant illegal or otherwise passing phase, which puts a clamp on them staying for all the benefits, because really our advisors know they cant lose with or without them and they can with us (permanent residents) as there is no guarantee of a future pension plan for anyone and im slightly ticked off about the behaviours of naïve people at present, who think that they're safe.
The frightening less mentally aware reality is that they will always know something you don't first, and then mentally critiscise you for thinking you have been idol and forgetting who's been in charge. should I say continue with caution ? if you're still reading this then please instill with tact and some continued discretion in place of others real dilemma, not simply if your going to get the job you've probably worked years for and then given yourself a new lease of life to otherwise unforeseen plans that would have taken a long time to amass. I cannot be an entrepreneur, im a follower of my own plans with or without distinction.
With these new common acts in place, it will make it illegal for anyone who has not been resident in the U.K before to come and illegally use the benefit system to their own advantage. Im not even sure what other constraints this government are going to use, but when the whole thing merges into single payments which I think it will I keep saying October but again the advisors don't want you mentioning the truth, of how it will affect people as long as they get a coffee and donought every day sitting by their front desks at the rear end of the phone then altering switchboard tactics probably don't even come second rate to poisoning peoples minds the way they do every single day of their hapless hopeless mindless careers which only strive people to maintain fugile in keeping up their beshaven appearances at the crossroads in their life.
As i say, as with all their useless training programmes where all they're trying to do is get you off the benefit, she was also saying oh and if you work over16 hrs you could get an advisor assigned to you. , excuse me, liar, you wouldn't even be getting that support for a year would you when you need to stick to the terms
and conditions of the claim, do you really think im going to come off this benefit when I am entitled to earning topple in a years worth? and another thing whilst im here arguing the fundamentals, is as long as these crap torries who take take take in this world are going to exist under borderline control, im going to not take any more fugitive futile guesses outside of myself out on their behalf. Cameron actually cleverly said the other day in the paper, ' We will continue to support those who want to work hard and get on in life this is what we have the people for'
yeah not to drive them into the ground. there might be a miss quote somewhere but he was saying the people who work the hardest have to be continually loyal to people like him who take the credit for being lenient. all I know, is that without the people here working to maintain an adequate job status they'd also be corrupt with the devastating affects that foreigners shattering our econonmy bring here.



AlanMooresBeard
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09 May 2013, 6:36 am

1062651stAvenue wrote:
it is also useful, even if you are unemployed, to join a trade union and get them to fight on your behalf for you in these matters - it is the cheapest way to do it.


Can you really join a union if you are unemployed? I guess a general union like GMB would be the most appropriate in that situation.



Robdemanc
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09 May 2013, 6:56 am

Marcia wrote:
According to your profile you don't have a diagnosis.

I always think honesty is the best policy at interviews, but I am a little confused as it seems you are disclosing a diagnosis you don't have. Or is your profile wrong?


I was diagnosed with having aspergers traits by a psychiatrist several years back. I got a second opinion and they said the same. I have asked for a formal diagnosis but in the UK it is extremely difficult for an adult (I am 43) to get one and I was turned down for even a consultation about it.

The original psychiatrist recommended I read some books about it and so I self diagnosed after investigating the condition. I did not tell the interviewer I have been diagnosed, I told the them what the psychiatrist said to me and that I do think I have some traits and so my time off was to investigate this and rethink my lifestyle.



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09 May 2013, 9:16 am

If you take that approach, then one thing you may wish to consider doing is outlining why your lifestyle is the best for their job. Speaking as a person who will hire a summer student soon, I appreciate when they briefly outline why they are perfect for me... people who do that in interviews tend to get them. And don't assume that the managers are out there to find fault with you all the time. Some actually do want you to do well. And, at least in my case, I have a manager whom I suspect is aspergian too.