Great at the job, terrible at the interview? That’s a very AuDHD combination.
Why are interviews so hard?
Interviews test social performance as much as ability to do the job. Eye contact, vague questions and thinking on the spot are hard for many AuDHD people.
Bad at interviews? Still good at the job.
Job interviews test how well you perform socially, at least as much as whether you can do the job. You are expected to make eye contact, read the panel, answer vague questions on the spot and keep to time. The autistic side may answer very literally or need a moment to think. The ADHD side may lose its thread or talk too much. Plenty of very capable AuDHD people interview badly, and that says nothing about their ability.
What gets hard
Here is how the two compare:
| Autistic side | ADHD side |
|---|---|
| Vague questions | Losing your train of thought |
| Eye contact | Talking too much |
| Small talk at the start | Nerves and fidgeting |
| Reading the panel | Forgetting examples |
It tests performance, not ability.
What it can look like
A few everyday examples:
- Answering the exact question too literally
- Going off on a tangent
- Blanking on examples you know well
- Replaying every answer afterwards
- Being great at the job, bad at the interview
Before the interview
- Ask for adjustments: Questions in advance, extra time.
- Prepare examples: Use STAR: situation, task, action, result.
- Visit or check the route: Know where you’re going.
- Practise out loud: With a friend or a recording.
- Plan recovery time: Interviews are draining.
In the room
- Bring notes: Most panels won’t mind.
- Ask for clarity: “Could you rephrase that?”
- Take a moment: “Let me think about that.”
- Use a fidget: Something small and quiet.
- It’s okay to disclose: If you’d like to.
Where to start
Ask for adjustments in advance, such as seeing the questions beforehand or having extra time. Prepare a few examples and practise them aloud. Take notes in with you. It is fine to ask for a question to be repeated, or to pause before you answer. Then plan some recovery time.
The bottom line
You’re more than one interview.
This post is for awareness, not legal or careers advice. In the UK, employers must consider reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants under the Equality Act 2010.
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