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Post by adhdude on Nov 3, 2016 0:32:39 GMT
I’ve been applying for jobs and have been marketing myself as the person I wanted to be rather than the person I really am. I’ve put myself across as well-organised, dedicated, punctual, focused, etc. – all the things I’m not but wish I was. The reality is that I’m far from this perfect candidate that I’ve described myself as. It’s been really hard writing these applications – it just makes me feel really bad about myself. I've not had much success either.
I applied to a company today, though, and I decided to take a completely different approach. I was honest. I wrote about my ADHD and how it’s affected me. I talked about the challenges it’s presented and the failures in my life that I met with as a result. But I also wrote about how I dealt with and worked on overcoming those challenges. I mentioned the positive traits of ADHD too and how I channelled them into achieving the things I’ve achieved.
I didn’t go into that fabricated nonsense about myself in this application. I was able to be myself and write freely from the heart. It felt genuine and real and it made me realise that maybe I’d been undervaluing myself before, that maybe I’m better than I thought I was. This application really made me feel better about myself.
Maybe this’ll turn out great or maybe it’ll backfire. I have no idea. I just know that I feel at peace with myself right now.
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Post by marionk on Nov 3, 2016 5:48:56 GMT
imle job interviewers often sense something 'isn't quite right' anyway, so you've probably not actually got much to lose.
I can definitely identify with the not liking the 'sell yourself/big yourself up' carp and your being happier in your own skin being open about everything.
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mc1250
Member's posted somewhat
Posts: 71
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Post by mc1250 on Nov 17, 2016 1:07:45 GMT
Same to same! I've had so many many interviews, having to pretend I'm all these things that I'm not. Some of the things I am, a hard worker, dedicated, loyal etc ...but organised, punctual etc ...hell no! I actually feel bad, coz I hate lying and essentially that's what I'm doing! I know everyone does it, I just feel bad for doing it! Then when I fail, which I almost certainly do... then it feels worse! Letting myself down is bad enough letting others down is much harder.
People say I shouldn't care, coz it's a faceless company, I'm just another number and it's business! But it's not coz the people your working with who have put their time and effort into you are ultimately going to be let down! Plus it takes more effort hiding who you are which adds more pressure to the job immediately!
I day dream about going into an interview and baring my soul almost exactly how you described your application. That way I'm comfortable straight away, if they were to employ me that is, no hiding, just the person they met in the interview room and who they decided they can work with!
Anyway brave call, I wish one day I could do the same!
Good luck with it and well done for being you!
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Post by vagueandrandom on Nov 17, 2016 8:24:55 GMT
adhdude . . I seem to remember you're an engineer? . . it's actually not that important. .but this radio programme about autism has a really good example of how to disclose to an Employer: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0537492The intervewee is an engineer dx with ASD as an adult and she doesn't mention it under 'disability' but under a section which asks about creativity. .it's only 15 minutes long. I rarely get as far as interview but even before dx, I knew that I was someone who people either like, or not. .and I've been unsuccessful interviewing for jobs in a small team because they need someone who'll fit in with the existing members. . and I don't 'fit in' anywhere. .so my interview technique has always been to be myself and if they like me, they'll employ me, and if not. . I wouldn't want to work with them anyway. . I had a brief period of interviewing people for temp traffic surveying jobs. . .interviews in jobcentres, under threat of sanctions, every 10 minutes. . .well, I started out sensible, but got quite hysterical after a while. .decided that if they could hold a conversation with me about anything, and they actually wanted the job, that was all I wanted to know. The ones who were only there under threat of sanctions (you could tell. .and I would ask) I'd have a quick chat about what they'd really like to do and assure them that I would tell the jobcentre that they weren't what I was looking for. Looking back . . .those poor people! . .being confronted by an over-excited hyperactive woman, who asks you about your hobbies, or what music you're into. . . That was a totally ADHD random diversion . . .
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Post by adhdude on Nov 17, 2016 20:47:32 GMT
Same to same! I've had so many many interviews, having to pretend I'm all these things that I'm not. Some of the things I am, a hard worker, dedicated, loyal etc ...but organised, punctual etc ...hell no! I actually feel bad, coz I hate lying and essentially that's what I'm doing! I know everyone does it, I just feel bad for doing it! Then when I fail, which I almost certainly do... then it feels worse! Letting myself down is bad enough letting others down is much harder. People say I shouldn't care, coz it's a faceless company, I'm just another number and it's business! But it's not coz the people your working with who have put their time and effort into you are ultimately going to be let down! Plus it takes more effort hiding who you are which adds more pressure to the job immediately! I day dream about going into an interview and baring my soul almost exactly how you described your application. That way I'm comfortable straight away, if they were to employ me that is, no hiding, just the person they met in the interview room and who they decided they can work with! Anyway brave call, I wish one day I could do the same! Good luck with it and well done for being you! Thanks! It's been really frustrating having to put on this act - it just makes me feel really uncomfortable and anxious. My interview with this company (GSK, pharmaceuticals) is scheduled in for next Monday so hopefully it'll go well. They thanked me for letting them know about everything and they said they'll try to be as accommodating as they can. They seem really nice. I'm definitely quite nervous but really curious as to how it'll go too. I'll keep this page updated on how things go .
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Post by adhdude on Nov 17, 2016 20:56:13 GMT
adhdude . . I seem to remember you're an engineer? . . it's actually not that important. .but this radio programme about autism has a really good example of how to disclose to an Employer: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0537492The intervewee is an engineer dx with ASD as an adult and she doesn't mention it under 'disability' but under a section which asks about creativity. .it's only 15 minutes long. I rarely get as far as interview but even before dx, I knew that I was someone who people either like, or not. .and I've been unsuccessful interviewing for jobs in a small team because they need someone who'll fit in with the existing members. . and I don't 'fit in' anywhere. .so my interview technique has always been to be myself and if they like me, they'll employ me, and if not. . I wouldn't want to work with them anyway. . I had a brief period of interviewing people for temp traffic surveying jobs. . .interviews in jobcentres, under threat of sanctions, every 10 minutes. . .well, I started out sensible, but got quite hysterical after a while. .decided that if they could hold a conversation with me about anything, and they actually wanted the job, that was all I wanted to know. The ones who were only there under threat of sanctions (you could tell. .and I would ask) I'd have a quick chat about what they'd really like to do and assure them that I would tell the jobcentre that they weren't what I was looking for. Looking back . . .those poor people! . .being confronted by an over-excited hyperactive woman, who asks you about your hobbies, or what music you're into. . . That was a totally ADHD random diversion . . . Yep I study chem eng. That sounds like a really interesting programme – I should definitely check it out at some point. Thanks for posting it . I like the way you think about interviews. All I want to do is to find a team that would like to have me around (and apparently there aren't many!). I've been through a lot of applications and it's really, really stressful. I have loads of extracurricular activities and a pretty much perfect record of grades. It's just application processes that seem to bring me down and it's really frustrating. Maybe being myself will get me somewhere.
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Post by adhdude on Nov 21, 2016 22:01:15 GMT
UPDATE: I had my interview today and the people who organised it (it was supposed to be a video interview but they let me go in for it) were really, really friendly. They were funny and kind and they made me feel really comfortable throughout. I didn't feel discriminated against at the slightest bit and felt really well-treated. I didn't talk about how my ADHD has helped me rather than held me back like I thought I would have to because they didn't ask anything remotely related to my ADHD. Best of all, it felt really good just being myself and not having to lie about things. It’s a really competitive job so I might not be able to go through to the next stage but I really hope I do - this company seems perfect.
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Post by marionk on Nov 22, 2016 9:19:28 GMT
Awesome! I really hope you at least get to try. Good luck!
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Post by adhdude on Nov 25, 2016 14:42:18 GMT
Rejection
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Post by vagueandrandom on Nov 25, 2016 17:58:53 GMT
Never mind. .there'll be others.
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Post by vagueandrandom on Nov 26, 2016 1:09:39 GMT
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Post by adhdude on Dec 5, 2016 14:33:44 GMT
UPDATE: The interviewer was kind enough to give me a ring to provide some feedback. He was really positive and said I performed well in all areas. The only issue was that my example of how well I form relationships was somewhat lacking and didn't align with the company's values strongly enough. I've been told I haven't been rejected but simply put on hold should any vacancies become available . On a side note, I've applied to about 50 different places and about 95% of the rejections are solely due to my anxiety which is clinically diagnosed - really unfair because I'm a high-performer outside of interviews etc.
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Post by adhdude on Mar 17, 2017 2:24:23 GMT
UPDATE: The same company gave me a job (over 3 months later!) they really weren't kidding when they said they'd keep me in mind
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Post by annie on Mar 17, 2017 10:11:49 GMT
Just wanted to give you huge congratulations!!
I've been caught up in some local ADHD work which has resulted in me not being active on the forum. However, didn't want to let your good news pass.
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Post by adhdude on Mar 18, 2017 1:25:33 GMT
Just wanted to give you huge congratulations!! I've been caught up in some local ADHD work which has resulted in me not being active on the forum. However, didn't want to let your good news pass. Thanks! I'm just glad I can get back to focusing on my studies now knowing that I won't be jobless when I graduate
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Post by goosk on Mar 24, 2017 12:09:50 GMT
Amazing! Working for GSK like a bawss
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mc1250
Member's posted somewhat
Posts: 71
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Post by mc1250 on Apr 13, 2017 23:30:01 GMT
UPDATE: The same company gave me a job (over 3 months later!) they really weren't kidding when they said they'd keep me in mind That's brilliant mate!! And means there's some hope for the rest of us!
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