Guide

Job interview tips for ADHD and autistic people

Ask for the changes you need, find your best examples and practise with an AI chat tool. Then walk in with your answers ready.

Nine short chapters, with prompts to copy. Use any AI chat tool, such as ChatGPT, Gemini or Claude.

Chapter 01~1 min read

Start here

After this chapter you will know what this guide covers and what you need.

This guide is for neurodivergent people with a job interview coming up. That includes people with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), autism or dyslexia.

What you need

  • The job advert. Keep a copy. Adverts are often taken down after the closing date.
  • Your profile. If you followed our CV guide, you already have one. If not, your CV is enough.
  • An AI chat tool. Use any one, such as ChatGPT, Gemini or Claude. The free version is enough.
Chapter 02~2 min read

Why are interviews hard with ADHD or autism?

After this chapter you will know which parts to prepare for.

  • Recall under pressure. You have done good work. In the room, you cannot think of an example.
  • Vague questions. “Tell me about yourself” has no clear answer. It is hard to know what they want.
  • Unwritten rules. Eye contact, small talk and how long to speak are rarely explained. Many autistic people find this tiring.
  • Nerves take up working memory. Stress leaves less room to hold the question and your answer at the same time.
  • Time and travel. With time blindness, getting there on time can be the hardest part of the day.

Most of this can be prepared before the day. The rest of this guide shows how.

Chapter 03~3 min read

Ask for the changes you need

After this chapter you will know what you can ask for, and how.

In the UK, the Equality Act 2010 says employers must make reasonable adjustments for disabled job applicants. Many people with ADHD or autism are covered. A reasonable adjustment is a change that removes a barrier for you.

Changes people often ask for

  • The questions in writing. Before the interview, or on paper in the room.
  • Extra time. To think before you answer, or for a written test.
  • A quiet place to wait. Away from a busy reception.
  • Video or in person. Whichever is easier for you.
  • Who will be there. Names and roles, so there are no surprises.
  • Breaks. In a long interview or an assessment day.

You do not have to name your condition to ask. Ask early, by email, so there is a record. If you need communication support at the interview, Access to Work may help pay for it.

Copy this prompt

Write a short, polite email to [name] at [company]. I have an interview for [job] on [date]. Ask if I can have [the questions in writing before the interview]. Keep it under 100 words.

Chapter 04~3 min read

Find out what they will ask

After this chapter you will know the likely questions and what the company does.

Most interviews ask about the skills in the job advert. An AI chat tool can turn the advert into likely questions.

Copy this prompt

Here is a job advert: [paste the advert]. What are the eight questions they are most likely to ask in an interview? Put them in order, most likely first.

Then learn a little about the company. Copy the words from the “About us” page of their website and paste them in.

Copy this prompt

Here is a company’s “About us” page: [paste it]. In plain words, tell me what they do, who their customers are and what they care about. Then give me two good questions I could ask them at the end of the interview.

Chapter 05~4 min read

Get your best examples ready

After this chapter you will have five short stories that answer most questions.

Most interview questions ask for an example: “Tell me about a time when…”. If you have five good stories ready, you can use them again and again. You do not have to think of new ones in the room.

Use the STAR method to tell each story. STAR stands for situation (where you were), task (what needed doing), action (what you did) and result (what happened).

Copy this prompt

Using my profile, help me write five short stories about my work. Use the STAR method: situation, task, action and result. Pick stories that show the skills in this job advert: [paste the advert]. Keep each story under 100 words.

Write each story as three or four words on one page, such as “Fixed the rota: saved 5 hours a week”. Take the page with you. A few words will bring the whole story back.

Chapter 06~3 min read

Practise with an AI chat tool

After this chapter you will have said your answers out loud at least once.

Saying an answer out loud is different from thinking it. An AI chat tool can play the interviewer, one question at a time. Use voice mode if your tool has one.

Copy this prompt

You are interviewing me for this job: [paste the advert]. Ask me one question at a time. Wait for my answer. After each answer, tell me one thing I did well and one thing to make clearer. Be kind and direct.

Practise “Tell me about yourself” the most. It is often the first question. Aim for about one minute: what you do now, what you are good at and why you want this job.

Chapter 07~3 min read

On the day and after

After this chapter you will have a plan for the day and for what comes after.

The day before

  • Plan the journey. Work out when to leave, then add 30 minutes. Set two alarms.
  • Pack the night before. Your one page of notes, the address and the name of the person to ask for.
  • For a video interview, test the link, your camera and your sound.

In the room

  • Take a moment. “Can I take a moment to think?” is always fine.
  • Ask them to say it another way. If a question is unclear, ask for an example.
  • Use your page. Look at your notes when you need to.

Within the hour after

Write down the questions they asked and what you said. Note when they said they would reply. Then send a short thank-you message.

Copy this prompt

Write a short thank-you email to [name] after my interview for [job] today. Mention [one thing we talked about]. Keep it under 80 words.

Chapter 08~3 min read

Common questions

Clear answers to the questions people ask most.

It is your choice. You do not have to tell them. If you want changes to the interview, you can ask for them without naming your condition, for example “I find it easier with the questions in writing.” Some people prefer to explain, so the employer understands.

Say “Can I take a moment to think?” or “Can I come back to that one?” Both are normal. Look at your one page of notes. Most interviewers would rather wait than hear a rushed answer.

Often, yes. Many employers are happy for you to bring a page of notes. If you are not sure, ask before the day. You can ask for it as a reasonable adjustment.

Ask them to say it another way. “Could you give me an example of what you mean?” is a fair question. It shows you want to answer well.

Ask for feedback. Keep your examples, because you can use them again. Every interview is practice for the next one.

Chapter 09~1 min read

Sources and about this guide

Who wrote this guide, what it is based on and when it was last checked.

The team at Humble writes this guide and keeps it up to date. Our team includes neurodivergent people. We teach these steps in our AI skills sessions for people looking for work. The guide also uses the sources below.

Last reviewed: October 2026. We check this guide every six months.

This guide is general information. It is not legal advice.

Did you find a mistake? Is something missing? Email us. We read every email.

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