What do hiring managers look for ?
Posted by NewFoot762@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 48 comments
As someone who is neurodivergent I’m just interested in knowing what hiring managers looks for and if they care about us people who are considered different to the rest of society?
Sugarlips_80@reddit
You have had some really good answers. I would add that if you are happy disclosing your diagnosis prior to the interview you can ask for a reasonable adjustments of seeing the questions prior to the interview I.e. arrive early and be given them, some companies will send them out before the interview so you can prepare, others might allow more time in the interview for you to consider your answers. You could also ask for the questions in written form if that is easier for you to take in.
I like to prepare an answer/ scenario for each of the most common interview questions I.e. an example of your communication skills, team work skills, priority management etc. You can also take a guess at what they will ask you from the essential and desirable criteria and prepare an example, using the STAR technique for each criteria they are looking for.
Showing your experience through examples rather than saying "I have good communication skills" is the best way to do well in an interview regardless of neurodivergence.
You can take notes into the interview, both prompts for yourself and questions you might like to ask. I would keep them brief to prompt your brain rather than a full answer you read from page.
3 interviews is great so far, even if unsuccessful. Did you ask for feedback from those? If so, then act on that feedback to improve your techniques. I appreciate disclosing your neurodivergence can feel like it goes against you at times but it can also show you the type of company you are interviewing for. A good company should work to support you at the interview stage, provide support and ensure you are comfortable. A poor company will not.
Pengtingcalledme@reddit
Depends on the manager. Not every manager is the same. That’s what job interviews are for
NewFoot762@reddit (OP)
But I may be a little awkward(autism) when being questioned but they don’t know if im good at the job or not.
DingoBingoWimbo@reddit
I'm autistic too and the awkwardness gets easier after doing dozens and dozens of interviews
Pengtingcalledme@reddit
It doesn’t matter so am I. If they don’t like it screw them
InsertObligatoryPun@reddit
I mean, that’s a pretty wide spectrum you’re asking about there. (pun intended)
Hiring managers for retail are going to look for vastly different things than software engineers, or train drivers, and so and so forth.
Some companies give more affordance and understanding towards neurodivergence. Others don’t give a monkeys. Size of the company usually matters too; the bigger they are, the bigger their responsibility under the law (and the more attractive they usually have to look to staff).
NewFoot762@reddit (OP)
Haha good pun and I’ve noticed most company don’t care. Yes I may be awkward but you’ve not even given me a chance so how do they know if I’m good at the job
MasterOlive6060@reddit
Everyone gets the same interview and the same chance. Interviews are a way to perceive if you would be good for the job.
NewFoot762@reddit (OP)
How can you judge if you’ve never seen them do a job ?
WitShortage@reddit
Interviewing is in itself a skill. We get better at it as we do more of it.
Broadly, when I'm interviewing, I look for two key criteria:
We can usually see nerves, and get pretty good at separating people who are just nervous from ones who are trying to hide something (usually their incompetence)
When it comes down to it though, it's always a risk. There's always a chance that someone can ace the interview, then be shit. That's what Probation is for.
I've read a lot of your replies, and it sounds like you're really winding yourself up about this. Don't look at the interview as a "gate process" for you getting the job. Think of it as a "cultural fit assessment."
Try to relax. Answer the questions you're asked. Be engaging and actively interested in the role and the organisation. If it's for you, it won't go past you.
GrabbedByTheGhost@reddit
They will likely treat you the same as everyone else. If you are lucky you might get some reasonable adjustment if you come with specific diagnoses or if you were recently at school and had a SEN document.
Buddy-Matt@reddit
Im not a hiring manager, but I've had the final say on who to hire into my team before.
I'll be blunt- I don't really "care" if you're neurodivergent or not. I'm definitely not going to hold it against you, assuming I even realise, but I'm not going to use it as a reason to ignore something I wouldn't in a neurological person (outside of making reasonable adjustments that is... if you had tourettes for instance, I'm more than happy to ignore the verbal tics)
In terms of looking for someone, these are the non-job-specific things id be looking for:
Bear in mind Im only spending a couple of hours over a couple of sessions with people - typically a phone interview followed by in person - so some of it's based on vibes, and a feeling that's hard to quantify.
How you dress is semi important. I.e. for me you dont need to be fully suited and booted, but dont be that guy I interview in trackies and a stained white tee.
A huge turn off for me is anyone who comes across as arrogant or overly self important. Had a few of those, one for a junior position who thought he was God's gift to coding. Or, on a similar note, the guy who acted like he was interviewing us.
Do ask questions. They don't have to be deep, but they shown interest in the role.
And try not to be too nervous.
NewFoot762@reddit (OP)
Trying not to be nervous and asking questions are the only difficulties
Buddy-Matt@reddit
I only mention nervous because if you get too inside your own head you may miss or overthink something. Im not put off of someone if they've nervous, unless, potentially, its extremely nervous to the point of non functioning.
Asking questions advice. Don't go too big or too small. The key is to show you're serious and interested. Too big would be heavy contractual stuff, pay, etc - they're important, but imo should be discussed outside the interview. Too small would be asking about what music is played on the radio, where the nearest coffee shop is, etc - these should be irrelevant to whether or not you consider accepting (and if you do care would be a red flag to me)
Good questions, imo, are things like asking if there are any soft perks over and above what's mentioned in the job advert, what tools you'll be using, will you get a mac/PC if you're applying for a desk job. Its also an opportunity to show interest in the company. "I saw this thing on your website, it looks interesting, can you tell me anything else about it?"
No_Quality_6874@reddit
Depends on the job, bussiness and specific challenges and issues they are dealing with at the time (both bussiness and staff related).
Personalble, hard working, and the right set of skills.
What they dont want, unpleasant people and those hard to get on with. Tbe biggie is HR red flags, are you giving future employment tribunal vibes? Do you come across as someone who will make excessive demands on work life balance, dse, and adjustments? I dont just mean i need a special chair and a friday afternoon off, these are fine.
NewFoot762@reddit (OP)
No I won’t ask for anything crazy just basic reasonable adjustments
Careless_Soup_109@reddit
Where I work, being neurodivergent would be seen as a plus point.
Ultimately, however, neurodivergent or otherwise, are you going to add value to their org? That's the key question
NewFoot762@reddit (OP)
Who knows depends how much stress they add to my life
Jaded_Library_8540@reddit
Broadly speaking just turn up on time, look presentable, and don't be so awkward that you make them uncomfortable
Beyond that it's job specific
NewFoot762@reddit (OP)
I turn up on time and look presentable and still only ever made it past 3 interviews
Jaded_Library_8540@reddit
If you've cracked the first two then logically....
NewFoot762@reddit (OP)
Doesn’t seem to be panning out that way
Claire4Win@reddit
The best candidate for the role.
Hiring managers in big companies oversea a number of roles. So they don't have deep understanding of what the role entails. They are given a bullet point list of qualities/qualifications to look for.
NewFoot762@reddit (OP)
So how can I appear better than everyone else
Claire4Win@reddit
Know the company and have STAR answers for the questions
tumblingnebulas@reddit
I can get through a fairly high level of awkwardness and I will do my best to help someone who is flailing. I'll send interview questions to candidates beforehand, which seems to help a bit.
I do care about neurodiverse candidates and want everyone I interview to be able to at least feel comfortable enough to show me a bit of who they are, but there are times where I haven't been able to achieve that with a candidate despite both of our best efforts.
I've hired a number of neurodiverse candidates, although none disclosed that before or during the interview (at least, not to me, there is an anonymous tick box for disabilities).
When hiring I need someone who can do the job while working well with their colleagues. The working with others is sometimes more valuable than knowing how to do the job, as there are lots of roles that can be taught from scratch.
general_adm_aladdeen@reddit
Their number one priority is the wellbeing of the company they work for. Everything else is secondary. If you fit the current profile based on trends and politics they will hire you. There are contributing factors.
This is a rather crude assessment, and subject to change, but I'm pretty sure you can read between the lines.
baconlove5000@reddit
Depending on the type of autism OP has, they may absolutely not be able to read between the lines and hence the question I imagine.
NewFoot762@reddit (OP)
Correct I don’t understand what that user is saying. I cannot read between the lines ?🤷🏽♂️
MasterOlive6060@reddit
They’re saying it’s common for companies to take on staff with disabilities as most western governments encourage it. But that may change over time.
They’re saying that the companies interest come first, and ultimately depending on circumstances and politics they will hire the person who can do the job best
general_adm_aladdeen@reddit
Thank you for so eloquently describing the current situation.
toon_84@reddit
It's a piece of string question. All interviews are different depending on the role.
Me personally I'm looking for punctuality, honesty and an interest in the role.
What impresses me is people that turn up with a little notebook with questions written down that might not get covered in the interview. Good little ice breaker and it shows a real interest in the job.
My other bit of advice is to not break the silence, if you can't think of anything to say then say nothing. Let the interviewer take the lead, if they like you they will prompt you for further answers.
NewFoot762@reddit (OP)
Might try that then bring a notebook with questions!
Proper_Title_9746@reddit
No one usually knows or cares if you’re neurodivergent or not. They are just trying to access if you can do the job or not, irregardless of the reasons
NewFoot762@reddit (OP)
So why do they ask if you have a disability?
If they didn’t care they wouldn’t ask ?
staunchs@reddit
Because they have to now. As someone who is neurodivergent i dont disclose it and only have to some people within my current company.
I’d recommend really practicing the STAR method when answering questions, properly researching the company and the role description and backing yourself (without sounding too full of yourself).
I struggled with confidence even though i was more than capable of doing the roles i was applying for. I always assumed others were way more qualified than me but that’s not true.
NewFoot762@reddit (OP)
But then if you don’t disclose they think why are u incompetent at answering simple questions
Proper_Title_9746@reddit
Who asks? Hiring managers are not allowed to ask that? Maybe just HR in the application form?
As a hiring manager, you’re not even allowed to not the age of the person or where they were born
NewFoot762@reddit (OP)
Yeah there’s always a question on the application that says do you have a disability that mate effect (whatever they list)
CatsChat@reddit
They are required to ask. You are entitled to various accommodations in interview if you need them for your disability. Whether they care might depend on the individual hiring manager. A lot realise that by removing some barriers they can get the best talent out there, some of whom may have a disability. Others may not care so much but are following the law and company policy.
NewFoot762@reddit (OP)
But what is considered reasonable for me to ask for ?
MasterOlive6060@reddit
It’s for DEI stats. It’s anonymous, at least in my experience. When I’ve been hiring I’ve never received a notification that someone I was interviewing has a disability. Only their CV
Lower_Inspector_9213@reddit
andycwb1@reddit
Depends on the role. I’m a software developer. You practically have to be on the spectrum to get hired in this role.
NewFoot762@reddit (OP)
I studied computer science for a while but I feel like us autistic people always swap interests so later I stopped it and swapped it for something else that I never enjoyed
Bubbly-Air7302@reddit
Likability + competence + collaboration
Jesisawesome@reddit
It's not about 'caring' or 'not caring' about you. It's about:
1 - Is this person going to be good at the job?
2 - Will this person work well in a team if needed?
3 - Am I going to have to fire this person in 3 months time and do all this again because they have pissed everyone off?
If you are a genius coder or analyst or something, then that buys a lot of leeway. If you are basically average but just a bit harder to manage/deal with than an equally average employee...that's trickier.
I would say the whole 'care/not care' thing would be a red flag for me if it came up because that is a moan signpost.
Apols if too blunt.
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