Bringing up your AS in a positive light at interviews

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I have been strongly encouraged by my psych to bring up my AS in job interviews so there are no surprises as to why I have some of the behaviors that I have. I have been told to do this in a positive light that emphasizes things where my AS will help me in the job.

I have thus far come up with that I do not have low intelligence, instead I have above average intelligence.
I can hyper-focus, and this can allow me to focus on the job and not on other distractions.
I can have several intense interests, and as I am interested in the job I will learn all I can about it and how to do it to the best of my ability.

If anyone has any to add, I thought this might be helpful to job seekers who need to disclose their AS in a positive way.

I've tried that once, and the interviewer was pretty ignorant about what it was.

It takes a lot of guts to be able to do what you're doing, I admire that.

Not sure what to add right now, but I read that writing it down may be better in some situations. Then you don't have to worry about forgetting something at the very least...

There is so much conflicting advice about bring up AS to an employer I have given up on the idea. The possibility that the person interviewing you will not understand what it means is too high. Instead of saying that you are an Aspie, just tell them what your strengths are, then use the ones you mentioned above.

However, do not say you have above average intelligence. That may sound smug. Instead highlight your qualifications (if they are good), or just try to put across your intelligence.

Saying you are good at focusing is a positive thing.

Others - analytical, conscienscious/thorough in what you do, logical and methodical.

But I think the most positive thing to do is not say Aspergers, just tell them your strengths.

Yes, this: your intelligence should come through on its own.

I'd like to add that using your weaknesses as an Aspie would come through alright as well, if you're actively working on them and can describe how you've improved this area in your life (i.e. I often interpret directions literally or as urgent, so I make a point to ask a lot of questions up front in order to get a better sense of the project's scope.") If you need structure and the company seems to have that sort of framework, express admiration for this aspect of the comapny, and how you would be a good fit for it.

You can disclose without actually disclosing. I've seen a few texts advocate this middle ground option as well.

Don't say you have above average intelligence. It comes off like you think you are better. I think just saying you are intelligent is good enough. I would also not lecture them about the AS. Have you ever heard when criticizing someone you should make it a sandwich with good then bad then good? Do that. I have AS and that means X for me but it also means I'm really focused on my work and etc. Granted I'm not severe enough where I would ever tell an employer about my AS, but for others it is probably the only choice.

I also wouldn't use the term special interest, that makes you sound quite disabled really. Don't say hyperfocus either. Instead say I find it easier to focus my attention on the work at hand than others" or whatever. Just stay away from any words that make you seem like a liability instead of an asset.

If you do mention the AS, I repeat do not lecture them on it. Do not talk about it for 5 minutes. Do not give them a rundown of the diagnostic criteria. I know psychologists often say be upfront about your disabilities, but it is hard when it is not something clear like "I'm blind" or "I have hearing loss" because we all know what those mean.

I was talking to a man earlier whose son has ASD and this came up. The subject of a job came up and he has possibly offered me one. He said that from his point of view as a boss, hyperfocus is a good thing.

At job interviews I like to brag about my inventions.

I would only bring up the fact that you are aspie if it is a benefit to the job. For example, if the interviewer stresses how detail orientated the job is. You could answer that being detail orientated is a trait of being an aspie. If the interviewer is confused on what aspergers is, you can just say your brain is organized in a way that makes you very detail oriented. And don't go on and on with what aspergers is a short explanation should suffice.

However, if the interviewer did not bring up how detail orientated the job is I would not mention that you are an aspie. I also would not spontaneously bring up being an aspie for the reasons previous posters have mentioned. On another note, there are employment agencies that specialize in aspie hires because the traits are unique and needed for certain jobs.

This is an issue I'm wrangling with, having recently failed to get a job for which I was the best candidate entirely because of the way I appear at interview (poor eye contact, etc).

I've toyed with the idea of writing to the interview panel before meeting them, with a brief, cogent outline of how AS affects people – only mentioning those aspects that are relevant to work, of course. Then I would tell them about the 'reasonable adjustments' I have requested in my current job, which are: using an anglepoise lamp with an incandescent bulb over my desk instead of the overhead fluorescent lights, and having my desk in as quiet an office as possible. I don't think those adjustments would scare many employers and I reckon they should put the issue entirely into perspective. Obviously this approach wouldn't work so well for someone who'd had to ask for a lot of adjustments, but for people like me, who've made most of the necessary adjustments themselves in the way that they actually do the job, it might reassure the prospective employer.

I haven't yet tried this approach, so I can't report back on its success or failure – but I do feel it might work for me. I'd certainly never try to describe AS and its effects in an interview, I'd get the whole thing arse about face and stutter to an incoherent halt after two minutes. I can answer questions about it, but I can't describe it to people in a brief and positive way even when I'm not under pressure in a job interview!

I disclosed once to an employer. I won't ever make that mistake again. I worked there for about 2 weeks before I upped and quit in the middle of my shift. I was working at some sh***y mom n pop pizza joint that had just opened up. Place was run by some filthy angry man from New Jersey. Disclosed, and the man treated me like I was ret*d. Talking to me slowly and explaining things step by step very slowly. I quit because I wanted to punch the man in the face so bad, but didn't want to go to jail. The owner had major anger management issues and threw temper tantrums 3-4 times a day. So at least he didn't just go off on me but every single other employee who works there as well. And I saw 3 other people who worked there just walk out on the job, or come in at the start of their shift and say "I quit.".

Bringing up health issues and mental health issues during interviews and to bosses is NEVER a good idea.

If you need special accommodations, request them privately from HR.

I have considered something similar to that above, but not quite as overt. I feel like sending a letter in advance might be seen as a red flag... you also don't have a chance to explain your self, and you have no way of knowing if they will actually read it. If there are a lot of candidates, they only skim resumes, so reading an extra document can be impractical. Having a list of traits and solutions with you at the interview could be helpful if certain topics come up and you want to provide them with more information ... if anything it could be a good security blanket.

My approach is going to be to ask as many questions regarding the interview in advance to avoid surprises, so I can visualise/practice, and come across as well-put-together and confident. Eg. get specific directions of where to go in the building, what to wear if you are uncertain, how many people will be interviewing, the expected length of the interview itself. If someone is bothered by all the questions, I plan to say I just want to be well prepared because I am very interested in the position.

For the interview itself, you could mention that you are a little nervous because you are so excited about the potential position, so that they are more forgiving about your behaviour/interactions. Practicing mock interviews can help with eye contact and help you to prepare stock answers to potential questions. In the past I remind myself of how people behave for interviews depicted on television shows and I try to mimic what they do. Eg. firm hand shake, make eye contact with each person on occasion. I have also found that if I get a bit off topic when answering a question, or if I was confused about the initially question, I answer to the best of my ability and then ask "does that answer your question? do you need me to clarify anything I've just said?". The interviewers really like this because you are trying to make sure you are communicating effectively. It gives you a second chance to answer if you missed the mark the first time, and if you didn't provide the info they were looking for, they may rephrase the question for you in a way that makes more sense.

As for accommodations, I plan to ask questions during the interview to guage how willing they would be to accommodate my coping strategies. This can also be an opportunity to highlight that you know yourself well and know how you will work best. Eg. It may be hard to believe, but I really struggle with spelling, even though I enjoy writing and produce quality content. Would it be possible to have a designated collegue/staff member proof-read my work prior to final submission? Eg. I work most effectively in quiet environments with minimal distractions, would I have my own private work space or will my work space be open and/or shared with other people? Remember, you are interviewing the potential employer as much as they are interviewing you.

As for specifically using the word "Aspergers", as others have stated, I would avoid it. The general NT population either doesn't know what it is, or has a very narrow stereotype that comes to mind. I was diagnosed as an adult, being a women and having more subtle outward symptoms and a lot of self-taught coping strategies. When the diagnose was first suggested, I thought "no way am I autistic", this lady is ridiculous... but then I started researching and it all made sense and she was right. I try to remind myself how little I knew about continuum of Aspergers/Autism initially, and assume that others know as much as I did or less.

I totally agree with everyone who said not to mention AS. In fact, if you can act NT well enough to get through the interview - do that. Then, once you have the job, ask for whatever accommodation you need. At least wait until you've got an offer. Just as I wouldn't negotiate salary or any benefits until I've got an offer I wouldn't make any requests for accommodation until then.

If you really can't come across as NT (eg. very poor eye contact) then it may be worth bringing it up so that they don't assume something worse. Even then, I don't know if I'd mention the word "Asperger's".

i would not disclose that i have asperger syndrome in a job interview.
i would hope that my quirks are seen as "eccentricities" rather than "trade off's" for other as yet undiscovered deficits.

in my time of non self employment jobs that i "scored" without reference to asperger syndrome, i disclosed i had asperger syndrome only after they became dependent on me.

the reason i disclosed it to management was so that they could situate my workplace more optimally. i got a private office and other people were required to consult me only on appointment (that could be made 30 mins prior to the consultation).

only when you have taken control of their output should you disclose that you are "special".
it is then that they imagine that you are gifted in a way that they can not consider, and they will do all they can to accommodate you.

I don't see why anyone would bring up any psychological, developmental, or health issue during an interview.

I also wouldn't send a letter preparing them that you have Asperger's. That's strange to an employer. They want to know how YOU can help their office with your work experience and skills ... not what your personal problems or challenges are before they even interview/hire you. People don't send employer's letters saying they're an amputee, heart attack patient, diabetic, etc. That's not normal. If it's accommodations you're needing, you could talk to HR.

Telling an interviewer your personality type (INTJ, etc.), that you're intelligent, your IQ, or random trivia about you would be weird.
Your educational and work history should show if you're intelligent or not.

Tell the interviewer your strengths, not the reason you have said strengths.

If the interviewer asks about your weaknesses, think of a weakness that you have remedied (for the betterment of a previous employer).
Don't say "Well, I'm an Aspie so I suck at...." Say, "At my job at XYZ company, at first I struggled with < insert whatever >. I < overcame this by.>

On the second interview or once you're hired, they may see the quirks eventually.

If you need accommodations for something, talk to HR once hired.

Practice interviews before hand.

Find books/sites that list standard interview questions.

Read about what to wear at an interview-- don't ask the employer.
They're not mommy. Dress well-- business suit + clean grooming.

Research salaries in the area. Read about the company you're interviewing for.
Read about what they do, their competitors...

Plan a relevant question or two that you can ask them about the job or company.

Arrive early. Expect traffic delays or to get lost. Write down the address.
Have the phone number on hand.

Asking them a question or two (address) is ok-- asking them what to wear isn't.
Research the job and see how long interviews in that field usually are yourself-- why ask them? Most interviews are under an hour-- usually half an hour. If it's a teaching job, it might be more. Research interviews in that field yourself. You don't want to over-do the questions.

Research expected salaries.

Print off your resume. Have it edited.
Bring 2 printed copies to the interview in a work padfolio or folder. Bring a pen.

Asking if you will have a private office is something that's for a second interview, or when they offer you a job.
Asking during an initial interview is presumptive and random. They're interviewing you to find out your experience. You'll talk office space, if you can have someone proofread your work, etc. later.