Job interviews

[Jo-]

I'm in a real quandary. I have been working successfully on a 6 month secondment in a role I've always wanted. Before this I was acting above my pay grade for a few years and so was happy to be offered the opportunity to work hard to prove I could do the job. There were no issues with the work that I did and my manager was really happy with the new projects that I initiated - I worked my chops off (whilst also in my 2nd year doing MSc). During this time I was diagnosed as having Dyscalculia and many of the characteristics of Dyspraxia, at 49 I was quite shocked but I continued to push hard and work hard. The job I was doing was re advertised and I applied but it was given to some one else. I'm utterly devastated but was told I was up against people who were fully qualified and had loads of experience (doesn't wash with me as they gave it to a young man who is no more qualified than me (also still doing his MSc) and doesn't have anywhere near the experience I do.

The main problem was apparently I didn't sell myself enough in the interview and it got me thinking back to other situations and it occurred to me that I have never succeeded in an interview. The job I have had for years (and now go back to) was only given to me by default as the successful applicant left after a couple of weeks so rather than re-advertise they rang around those of us that had applied but not offered the post and I got lucky.

I didn't state that I was dyspraxic in the application for this current post (though my manager knows I've just been diagnosed) as I don't know if it will go against me or not but do any if you think I should have? I was really nervous in the interview, couldn't make proper sense of the questions and screwed up my presentation through nerves. I do get nervous a lot (I now know it's the dyspraxia screwing with my brain!) but I was awarded 84% in a presentation I did at University just the week before and was told it was pretty much conference standard - so I can do it!

It will be hard to stay in my job now (it was suggested I could continue with some aspect if the projects I started when I go back down 2 pay grades - which I think is just plain rude!) I need to apply elsewhere and am really worried about having to go through the pain and pressure of more interviews - what's the best approach? Do I discuss the Dyspraxia, explain that whilst I can do the job I have extra issues to deal with. The job is librarian and I was teaching information literacy and some aspects of critical appraisal - I know it sounds like a weird job for a dyspraxic person to do but I also think it's what made me quite good at it.

So who here discusses their Dyspraxia in job interviews and does it help or hinder?

Apologies for such a long post but I'll be enormously grateful for any advice you can offer. Im struggling to turn this around and put a positive spin on it.

[Jim]

Interviews are a bugger aren't they?

I had six of them within the last week

This is my take on the Dyspraxia aspect, disclose it on the application form, there's no reason not to really, and disclosing it helps you refer to if you need to in the future for reasonable adjustments.

In the interview itself, don't mention it unless specifically asked about a "weakness" and only then if you can turn it around and show how you employ your coping strategies to the overall benefit of your performance. When a panel asks you about your weakness, they're really trying to see how you turn them into strengths instead.

Other than that, prepare as thoroughly as you can for the interview. Study the job description and person specification so that you can relate your experience and skills to it.

Prepare your answers before hand as far as it is reasonably possible to do so, find out the kind of questions you can expect to be asked and write down your answers before hand, try to use the "STAR" technique (Situation Task Action Result) when answering question to give a specific example of how you cope with a specific situation.

Carry out research into the company you're applying to, their service, their market, their core values etc

Write down some questions you plan to ask the panel, and refer to them if you need to.

Make yourself a portfolio, I prepare one for each interview and within it is;

The invitation letter/email (So I've got information on the date, time, venue and panel close to hand)
My CV
Certificates of my qualifications
ID documents
A list of my references
The job description
The person specification
My prepared answers (So I can revise these whilst waiting, I don't often stick to these as a script, but it helps having something fresh in my mind to adapt to their questions)
Questions to ask the panel
Any research I made into the employer (In case I need to refer to it during the interview)

I do this to create the impression that I've effort into preparing for my interviews, and I also use it as a tool to show my credentials.

[Jo-]

Thanks Jim,

I've just been reading your thread and am impressed by you unfailing persistence. Good for you!

I've not heard of the STAR technique and it's sound good, exactly what I need as I tend to fail on making it relevant (at least I think that's where I go wrong)

What about understanding the questions, I knew what questions should have been coming and I even pre-answered one or two in my presentation , but they worded one question so confusingly that I had to ask them to repeat it and explain it but I still didn't really grasp it and I'm sure if I read it and thought about it I'd be fine but I jumble things up in my head when I have to listen to a question, especially if it's a bit convoluted, if I know a subject well I'm usually fine and answer really well (which is one reason I got 84% at Uni last week) I never feel that I really understand interview questions!

My manager has offered me interview support and practice so I can be more successful in the future , which is good but I'm so angry I'm struggling to be professional in my responses to this - I didn't go back to work on Friday as I was so ill and literally sick after being told the bad news - have taken tomorrow off too to give me time to regain my composure.

I think I'm embarrassed as much as anything as there are a lot of people who I have been working with and who have witnessed this enormous failure on my part and I feel very exposed and vulnerable right now. I've set up new contacts for loads of outreach work and I now have to tell them all that I'll no longer be responsible for the projects I have initiated and pass all my hard work to this new person and sit back and watch him continue my projects.

Feeling so hurt, stupid and done in!

[Jim]

I would definitely take up the interview support, I did similar. And it was of good use. I'm not particularly good at role playing answers or practising in front of a mirror (in-fact I'm terrible), but it was at least useful to have some comments about body language, eye contact, and advice on how to structure answers.

Also, and I know this is difficult (believe me, I've lost count of the amount of interviews and rejections I've had), but you need to stop considering being unsuccessful at a job interview as a failure on your part.

The reality is that the job market is extremely competitive. You can do everything to the very best of your ability, make all the correct moves, impress the panel immensely and yet still not be offered the job. Sometimes it really does come down to someone else just doing the tiniest bit better on the day.. or the panel having some other agenda of some kind.

Sometimes the questions can be difficult to understand. But there's no harm in asking them to repeat it, or to clarify it. And by doing so you're showing communication skills. This is also where the preparation of "stock answers" built upon the "STAR" technique come in useful. Because convoluted questions are generally asking you how you respond to a given situation, what you do, and what the result is. So "STAR" is very relevant.

And remember an interview is a two way process, you too can ask questions even if only to ask them if you've adequately answered their question or require further elaboration.

[Jo-]

Thanks again Jim, that's really helpful advice. Will try to get myself back on track and behave properly - even when the new guys join our team

[Philip]

I been on a course for two weeks and the last part was mock interviews, I got told I did well asked some good questions compared to the others in the group.

I been dreading doing mock interviews section as I have not had a job interview for two years and have applied for a lot of temporary positions and jobs.

[peanutbutter_cups]

I don't mention dyspraxia, which can be a problem when they give you a written test.
That's supprisingly common for computer jobs.

I'm pretty sure I've lost out on jobs because I can't complete a written test very fast.
But I worry that mentioning something like that in the application would mark me out as trouble.

[Captain_Ludd]

Hi Jo,

From my experience I found its always been better to disclose up front, as I've said in the past I've only ever really had problems when I've tried to intentionally hide the fact.
As Jim has said don't go out of your way to push the point but if they ask be open about it also try and put an emphasis on the positives i.e. creative thinking and a compassionate nature.
Its just my humble opinion but I've always found honesty is the best policy.
With regards to interview technique I think its just a case of practice makes perfect unfortunately, sounds maybe a little glib I know but I think its true.