my problem isn't work quality, it's interviews

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i can't sell myself. when they ask, "why should we hire you?" or "why would you be a good fit for this company?" etc. particularly, open ended-questions. epic fail. consequently i can't find jobs, resulting in no experience, resulting in another reason for no jobs. they all want experience dammit. no ones willing to train new employees anymore as much. i blame it on lazy management. it's a vicious cycle of unemployment that refuses to let me go and be remotely sucessful, or move out of my parents place, or buy a car, etc.

trapppped

I've had loads of interviews and have sort of built up a script of most of the questions and answers. Mostly it's telling them what you think they want to hear. Try rehearsing it in your head beforehand.

It's really difficult getting your first real job, took me 9 months after leaving uni. But then it gets easier as you have experience to talk about, and there's more stuff for your cv. I'd just try to get any entry level position in the field you're interested in, and build from there. My first IT job was part-time, just 3hrs a day with very low pay, and now ten years later I'm in a well paid Software Engineer role with lots of experience on my CV. Good luck.

I feel your pain, and you are correct.

Success breeds success. Failure breeds failure.

Employers (actually, most people in general) don't want to look too deeply at people they meet, so what comes across on the surface is all that ever matters to them.

I am skilled...even talented in many ways, but my AS has always been an issue in the past. Between failed efforts and lost jobs, I have confidence issues, and I know I can't claim to be "the best" and unless there happens to be "chemistry" between myself and the interviewer(s) at the time, I can't have any assurance that I will be a good fit...and that "chemistry" I feel can be entirely one-sided.

Frankly, this is what I plan to do in the future....

"What makes you the best person for the job?"

Response: No candidate can answer that question. Anyone who thinks they are the "best" without knowing each of the other applicants is a self-centered fool, and frankly, with respect, if your company was able to attract "the best" in the field for this position, you'd be interviewing only one person and begging him or her to come work for you.

I am smart. I am talented. I work hard, and I can learn anything I put my mind to. I've walked into situations with zero knowledge or experience and mastered the job, including subtleties of the overall position in less than two months...something my employer never expected a person to be able to do.


"Why would you be a good fit for this company?"

Response: I am tolerant of people who look at things differently than I do. I am here to work, not play head games. I follow simple rules. First, don't lie to me....I have no use for liars. Second, don't try to manipulate me. If you want something, ask. I'm more likely to say "yes" if you are honest and ask, but if you try to twist my arm, the answer will always be "no." I expect my co-workers to respect each other as professionals. That means working well with others who aren't your best buddies for life. If that isn't good enough for this company, then I'm sure this isn't the kind of place where I would be happy.

Seanmw, there are some free tips in this article
"10 Interview Questions Decoded"
By Selena Dehne, JIST Publishing
http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/MS ... s-Decoded/

A couple of years ago I purchased the e-book, "How to Impress for Success at Job Interviews", written by Vaughan Vandenberg. It has some useful, concrete suggestions in it. (I have accumulated pieces of free information over the years, but free stuff is almost always rather vague.) The one caveat is I think that book is targeted more towards people who are in typical office jobs, working their way up the corporate ladder. For a variety of reasons, that is not me, nor will it ever be.

I know there are a couple of books about AS and the workplace, but I have never read any of them, and so I do not know how helpful the are with respect to interviews.

Finally, if you do not have any paid work experience, try talking about something from school (e.g., a project you completed).

Anyway, good luck!

I hear ya! I interview very, very badly. Once I'm in a job, I usually move up and to other jobs by reputation. I almost always have "Outstanding" or "Exceeds Expectations" on my evaluations and do a good job. I just interview very, very badly. I'm cringing now, as we've already had our hours cut and, quite frankly, I'm seeing "redundancy" or a possible layoff in the distant (but seeable) future. I've been with the same organization for over 15 years and I cannot imagine trying to switch industries (which is pretty much a given will need to happen) and be competitive at my age (I'm well into my 50s). I have no clue how I'd manage an interview again....

The oddest thing is, the times I've gone into jobs not really caring if I got them or not were the times I got offers. Something is different - perhaps I'm less nervous, which means more relaxed, which means less brain fog, less fidgeting?

I have read only one book, by an Australian woman who's name eludes me now, about getting Aspies jobs. It was written more for the person who was going to be helping the Aspie, and there wasn't a lot that I found particularly useful in it. It was also aimed at a more "low functioning" audience, and the job targets and problems that a high functioning and a low functioning person are just not the same. You can't go for a mid-level management or tech job with a job coach - you won't get a second look at the interview. So you have to be able to do it yourself. Which can be tough.

I have looked at the blog found through the link posted by a previous poster here and thought it gave very sound advice.

"What makes you the best person for the job?"
(1)
Response: No candidate can answer that question. Anyone who thinks they are the "best" without knowing each of the other applicants is a self-centered fool, and frankly, with respect, if your company was able to attract "the best" in the field for this position, you'd be interviewing only one person and begging him or her to come work for you.

(2)
I am smart. I am talented. I work hard, and I can learn anything I put my mind to. I've walked into situations with zero knowledge or experience and mastered the job, including subtleties of the overall position in less than two months...something my employer never expected a person to be able to do.

I spent a month going through 'how to get a job' classses, through the local tech school (Part of unemployment, if you want). I can guarantee you that answer #1 will get you rejected, and they want all the answers to be like #2. That's what your resume should sound like, what your cover letter should sound like, and how you answer the interview questions.

The 'fit' bit is how they've quantified the job. They want talents A,B, and C, and Experience D-X, and they're looking to see if you punch all the 'correct' answers. Actually, there's some web sites with 150 questions and excellent answers out there. Don't copy them, but see if you can 'fit' your experience or qualities to look like the ideal answers.

Whoever A) someone in the company who knows you already and can recommend you , or B) has all the qualifications in spades, is young, cheap, and in control, is what decides these things nowadays. Once again, it becomes about 'who you know', rather than what you know.

As I understand it, the person who interviews you makes an unconscious decision about you sometime during the first 10 seconds to 2 minutes of the interview, then spends the rest of the time confirming that decision. Most of the dialogue in an interview is intended to confirm that "first impression" the interviewer got of you.

There are several books on cognitive science and psychology that confirm this view, and a family member who is a recruiter and interviews people for a living agrees. It's all about the "feel" of the candidate, whatever that means.

I've never gotten a job unless 1) I was the only applicant and the firm absolutely had to hire someone; or 2) everyone who applied was accepted. So I've had a lot of experience being "qualified" but not the one who was offered the job.

The problem may be, in part, that Aspies do not "connect" to NTs the way NTs expect or want to be connected with. Clearly some Aspies overcome this, or do not have this issue. Others, like me, seem to have it in abundance. I'd be interested to hear the experiences of those of you who were interviewed and got the job offer.

Perhaps, but I'm tired of playing their BS mind games.

I tend to try to act like an NT, consciously giving out the 'right' signals e.g. sitting up straight, making eye contact, smiling, smalltalk etc. It all feels unnatural but I can hold it for about an hour. It helps that I've had quite a few and have learnt from experience. My first few were terrible!

I'd like to be able to do an interview in a completely frank, honest, literal manner, and then see how the managers discussed me after that.

I think it makes a difference what field you are in, and what skills the company values in employees. My husband is a structural engineer with a highly pedigreed resume and, I swear, when he goes in for an interview I don't think they want to know much more than that he lives, breathes, and can talk. Once he's in the company his job is heads down and get the work done. He's had interviews he's been sure he's blown and STILL gotten the job offer.

But in my field, which is accounting, the interview is the first indication of how well the person may be able to interface with clients. Since that interface is part of the job, and very key to advancement, we are looking to see how comfortable someone is with just, well, interacting. I used to work for a company with pretty tough to please clients, and I was really rough on people in interviews simply because I had to see if they could handle it. The better they were at it, the further I tended to go with it just to see. People were always sure I was going to be the vote against them; they'd tell me that after we had hired them, and I was busy telling them how well they'd done in the interview (lesson there being, never assume all is lost until you've got the declined letter; keep up the face in the interview because you may not know what the person is looking for).

ANYWAY, I think one thing that would be helpful to this discussion is to note what fields and types of jobs the interviews are FOR. That affects how the interview game is best played.

Also helpful can be arranging some "informational" interviews. Talk to people in fields that interest you but that you are NOT currently looking for a job in. It's practice, and everyone knows that. The interviewer will probably be more honest with you in these situations than any where else. You specifically work contacts asking for an informational interview only.

Oh great... and the jobcentre person I saw on Monday thought maybe I should go for something like accounting, because of my maths skills and attention to detail.

On the skills side, I agree. So, I'll clarify. Interface with clients is important if you are in public accounting. Being the strongest career track, and necessary for getting a license, most people start there. But the expectations working in a corporate accounting department are different. There is a lot room in corporate accounting for people who like to post the numbers accurately day after day and not care too much about advancement (most higher ups get hired out of the public accounting firms). It kind of depends on what you like and what your ambitions are.

Still, its a common issue, that people perceive the accounting field as good for one with limited social skills. People choose accounting because they like numbers, and don't discover the value of the social aspect until they are interviewing or in a job. One advantage to the industry is that everyone knows this, and many firms actually offer social skills training on the job. If you are willing to learn to act the part, you can indicate that in an interview. If you know that such acting would be too stressful for you (as it is for many AS), even for 5 or 6 years until you can get hired at a high level into a corporate department, then stay away from public accounting.

Does that give you a little more to go on? I don't want to get you discouraged, but you do need an accurate picture when considering a field.

Oh, I hear ya! I really, really do. I have an excruciatingly low BS tolerance level. But, really, the poster is correct. If you say it quite as bluntly as that, it's like pushing the button that opens the trap door you're standing on and off-you-go! There is a way to not play the games quite so much, but still be honest, I think. It's still a bit "touchy-feely" for my tastes, but it's worked for me.

If someone asked me (and they have, many times) why I'm "the best person for the job" I have said, more or less:

"Well, that is for you to decide - I certainly can't come in here and tell you (or all of you), who work together every day and know this organization much better than I do as an outsider that I'm your "golden girl". What I CAN tell you is that I'm very good at what I do. I work hard and am proud of my abilities. (then tell them what they are) I have done xyzsp for xx years. I really enjoy learning new tasks. I have a reputation for being easy to work with and am task-driven and a self-starter. If I start a project, I finish it. And then I look back over it as time permits to see how I could have done it better. I meet deadlines, and usually come in well ahead of them. I tend to cross-train myself and find ways to do things that need doing that others have not noticed. If I don't understand something, I'll ask questions until I do. I am dependable to a fault, and if you talk to my references (which I hope you will do!) you'll find out that I'm the kind of employee nobody is sorry they hired. If you'd like to talk to people in the organizations I've worked for whose names are not on the list, I'd be happy to sign a confidentiality waiver for you. As far as THIS job, 1)I've never done this but have a great interest in xyz and have done similar tasks (explain). or 2) I have xyz years of similar experience that would transfer to this position, I think (it helps if you can explain a bit why you think this). Can you tell me a bit more about the position and what you hope for in whomever you hire for it?"

You know, reading that I kind of wince, because I was brought up that one should not be vain or boastful. But there is absolutely nothing in that paragraph that is not the gods-honest truth and there's nothing wrong with telling people that info. You should be able to do something similar. You have to find the self-confidence to do it. The catches: IT HAS TO BE THE TRUTH and that you can't sound like this is a "pre-canned" speech. It has to sound natural - in an entirely unnatural situation. Practice ahead of time. Record your voice, then listen to it. If you have a friend who will tolerate it, practice it with them. Do it over until you don't sound like you're reading a script. And don't tell them you're detail oriented if you're not, or that you are an extremely good manager of time if you're not even sure what day it is. NEVER lie in an interview. It will come back to bite you later.

Remember also, the interview is not just them interviewing you. YOU ARE ALSO INTERVIEWING THEM! THEY DO NOT HAVE ALL THE POWER. (Novel concept, isn't it?) Ask the kind of things you might want to know that would tip you off if it would be the job from hell or not. I wouldn't say anything that is blatantly offensive, such as "when's my first raise?" Actually, I wouldn't talk about benefits at the interview unless they bring it up first. Even then, don't go on about how much you enjoy vacations, or your need for health insurance because you have a bad back, etc. Just let them tell you what they offer and kind of leave it at that. Assume that if they are interested in you they will call you again and THEN you can talk about vacation and salary, etc. Even then, unless the words "we'd like to make you an offer of employment" (or similar) come out of their mouths, do not dwell on either salary or benefits. Otherwise they could think that is the only thing that interests you about the job. Even it if it is, don't let that out. Really.

Instead ask things like, "is the organization supportive of training (or cross-training)? I would like to do my job very well, but also learn new skills that would be of benefit to me as well as to the company." (Don't make it, "it's all about me" even if it is. Throw the "and the company" in there.) or "I really enjoy the challenge of taking on new responsibilities. Once I'm settled in and doing well, would there be any opportunities to take on additional duties to broaden my competencies?" That kind of thing.

"What happened to the person who used to have this job"" is always something good to ask . (Assuming there was one.) Where they here long? (If it turns out there have been 12 people in the job in 5 years, alarm bells should be going off in your head that something is terribly, terribly wrong in this organization.) They went to another job in the company? Is that something that happens often here? Is there a lot of mobility within the company?

You kind of have to look at the organization in advance. Google it and read what you can about it. If you go into an inteview and know nothing about what they do, it's not going to impress anyone. If you can say: "I understand that you have just expanded your organization"; or, "I see xyz company won an award from the xyz association recently"; or,
"This company produces items that are shipped globally, is that correct?" in the "chit chat" part of an interview (if there is one) it looks like you have a serious interest in what they do. You may not need this information, but if they ask about your ability to deal with people on the phone, for instance, and you can legitimately say you have done that in the past, you could turn it around to a question of them that gives you more information about the job. For example, if they have a branch in Tokyo and you're in Los Angeles and the job requires a lot of phones work, you could say - "Yes, I have quite a bit of experience with inbound (or outbound) calls. I noticed that you have an office in Tokyo. Would the person you hire have to be in phone contact with Tokyo often? How do you handle that here at XYZ Company?" Again, you are in charge, you are finding out info that would help you know if you would do well or even want the job.

If you have no questions it just looks like you want a job, any job, and don't care what it is. I've been in that situation many times - I'm just after the money, and I don't give a flying flip what the company does. I have learned that, even if that's the case, you cannot allow that to be what they remember about you. My guess is that they would then think you'll only be there until someone better comes along, and having someone come in and train up (which does cost the company, even if the only training is someone who already does the job stands there and tells you how to do it) and then walk out - causing them the grief, trouble, and expense of going through the exercise all over again. They don't want that. They want to hire someone who will stay a while.


In any event, the above is not BS, it's the truth selectively applied. Remember, don't lie. Don't ass-kiss (unless you are really, REALLY desperate for a job, any job). Just think of it as you are stating facts in a way that the persons in the room with you will be able to interpret. Consider that they may have a disability and you have to phrase things in a way they can understand them, and in a way that gets you what you want.

Sean, been there, done that! It feels lousy, doesn't it.

Might I suggest you find some volunteer work in town? There has to be a nonprofit, a school, a hospital that needs help. Even if you just go in and do their filing for them, or answer phones, or sweep floors, it gives you a resume. Unpaid work experience is still work experience and you can put it on a resume. If you do well for at the volunteer job you also get references. References can be a critically necessary asset.

Open ended questions are just horrible. I hate them. My daughter, who is in her young 20s, is having to deal with that hurdle now. I think the best advice I can give you is to do your homework about any interview you might be offered in advance. This is very general, as each job and organization is different, but:

1) dissect the job. What would be valuable to the employer in the job? What are the duties? What kind of training is there? If there is none, can you do the duties now?

2) list your competencies. Everyone has things they do well. Really. Everyone. If you can't think of anything, list the things you enjoy doing.

3) look at ways in which the things in 2) might be useful in 1).

4) do this ahead of the job interview so you have time to think about it.

5) remember that the interview is not just interviewing you. You are interviewing them as well, to learn about the job and if you even want it.

Good luck. You'll get there, although it can seem like you won't sometimes.

I just borrowed a book on interpersonal intelligence, Silberman, "Peoplesmart: Developing Your Interpersonal Intelligence". I glanced through it and think I found the reason I blew my last interview. The 7% verbal went very well. The 93% nonverbal indicated, incorrectly, that I was not interested. For example, I always converse in a monotone.

I'm not planning to make serious use of this book, except to understand others. The first item involves developing empathy. That's a nonstarter.