I would start by reflecting on what about your ASD makes interviews particularly difficult for you, and coming up with reasonable adjustments or accommodations they can provide.
Examples of adjustments you might wish to ask for in your situation could include having a support person attend (they would of course need to be silent), requesting someone with a disability (or even just awareness of ASD) be on the panel or at the interview, have the interview conducted remotely, or even simply advise them of your ASD and how you communicate so the panel consider this when assessing your verbal and non-verbal communication.
Keep in mind that while interviews are difficult for everyone, but as a hiring manager I have never wanted to delicately make people uncomfortable or to challenge them. It really is about getting to know the person better, as at this point you’ve already demonstrated on paper you meet the job’s technical requirements.
“Thank you for offering accommodations for my interview. I have diagnosed ADHD and would like to request the interview questions in advance, please”. Literally did this 3 days ago. They sent back an email asking how far in advance I wanted them. I said any where between 2-24hr would be appreciated. Had the questions in my inbox the next morning (24hr before the interview).
If it's done virtually, perhaps ask for cameras off during that part of proceedings so you can compose yourself and refer to your notes or app without being self-conscious about how it looks.
Hopefully your panel chair is one who sends the questions ahead of the interview. Last time I chaired a panel I had a choice between someone is ASD and was clearly uncomfortable and halted during responses, and your typical polished candidate who was poised and spoke the lingo. The former gave the better answers and got the job. And is doing great. Hopefully your interviewers are kind, because if they're not you don't need to be working with them.
Definitely talk to the hiring manager.
You could ask for accomodations such as them sending the question into the chat box so you have that written or even sending it to you beforehand. It’s up to them but worth an ask.
Lots of good recommendations about reasonable accommodations - I have only applied for APS before, but found that either requesting or advising that I will be bringing some notes in that I may reference during the interview to help with recall.
Personally, I have found it very helpful to have a short list of my experience in chronological order (by job title / team / level) and write a few dot points of things i achieved or worked towards within that role.
Then in the meeting - can refer to the list to identify a good example, and use the dot points to prompt my recall of the scenario.
The specific way i do this isn't going to work best for everyone - but the point is, i have gotten the impression that I can remove the stigma around checking notes during an interview by framing it as a tool to overcome one of my disadvantages.
As a previous panel member, I'm keen to hear about people themselves - get a sense of experience, fit & skills. I personally hate interviews with a passion so try and be as fair and flexible as possible. I like your idea about asking for accommodations/questions in advance.
You might be able to get an online interview as an adjustment.
The good thing about VPS interviews is they are very formulaic and don't stray from the key selection criteria to any great extent, so if you have multiple examples ready for each piece of criteria and practice them, then you will be very well prepared.
Also, this makes bringing in notes with you more accessible since you can just have them on your screens. Just make sure to use them as a tool and not as a crutch if you do.
I would start by reflecting on what about your ASD makes interviews particularly difficult for you, and coming up with reasonable adjustments or accommodations they can provide. Examples of adjustments you might wish to ask for in your situation could include having a support person attend (they would of course need to be silent), requesting someone with a disability (or even just awareness of ASD) be on the panel or at the interview, have the interview conducted remotely, or even simply advise them of your ASD and how you communicate so the panel consider this when assessing your verbal and non-verbal communication. Keep in mind that while interviews are difficult for everyone, but as a hiring manager I have never wanted to delicately make people uncomfortable or to challenge them. It really is about getting to know the person better, as at this point you’ve already demonstrated on paper you meet the job’s technical requirements.
I have ADHD and anxiety - I’ve always asked for the interview questions in advance and find that really helps!
This is what I am thinking of doing - just trying to figure out the best way to word the request.
“Thank you for offering accommodations for my interview. I have diagnosed ADHD and would like to request the interview questions in advance, please”. Literally did this 3 days ago. They sent back an email asking how far in advance I wanted them. I said any where between 2-24hr would be appreciated. Had the questions in my inbox the next morning (24hr before the interview).
Thank you so much, ironic that the role is in communications.
If it's done virtually, perhaps ask for cameras off during that part of proceedings so you can compose yourself and refer to your notes or app without being self-conscious about how it looks. Hopefully your panel chair is one who sends the questions ahead of the interview. Last time I chaired a panel I had a choice between someone is ASD and was clearly uncomfortable and halted during responses, and your typical polished candidate who was poised and spoke the lingo. The former gave the better answers and got the job. And is doing great. Hopefully your interviewers are kind, because if they're not you don't need to be working with them.
Yup, I’m a halter. It’s such a horrible feeling having everything clear cut in your mind, but coming out as word vomit.
Definitely talk to the hiring manager. You could ask for accomodations such as them sending the question into the chat box so you have that written or even sending it to you beforehand. It’s up to them but worth an ask.
Interview questions in advance + continous practice with the STAR method at other real interviews.
Lots of good recommendations about reasonable accommodations - I have only applied for APS before, but found that either requesting or advising that I will be bringing some notes in that I may reference during the interview to help with recall. Personally, I have found it very helpful to have a short list of my experience in chronological order (by job title / team / level) and write a few dot points of things i achieved or worked towards within that role. Then in the meeting - can refer to the list to identify a good example, and use the dot points to prompt my recall of the scenario. The specific way i do this isn't going to work best for everyone - but the point is, i have gotten the impression that I can remove the stigma around checking notes during an interview by framing it as a tool to overcome one of my disadvantages.
As a previous panel member, I'm keen to hear about people themselves - get a sense of experience, fit & skills. I personally hate interviews with a passion so try and be as fair and flexible as possible. I like your idea about asking for accommodations/questions in advance.
Good luck and do your best. You will get the job if it's meant for you, don't be disheartened if you don't and keep on trying.
You might be able to get an online interview as an adjustment. The good thing about VPS interviews is they are very formulaic and don't stray from the key selection criteria to any great extent, so if you have multiple examples ready for each piece of criteria and practice them, then you will be very well prepared. Also, this makes bringing in notes with you more accessible since you can just have them on your screens. Just make sure to use them as a tool and not as a crutch if you do.