6 Outstanding Interview Tips That Every Person With ADHD Needs To Know

4 min read

Written by Joseph McCarrie

Graphics by Elijah Tagaan & Haydn Nguyen

white woman in a white shirt holding a phone while on a laptop. The caption reads, “Sam’s ADHD can’t stop her! She can be a star interviewee in no time!”

Having ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) in the modern world is hard. From phones to TV, the world has become Las Vegas with all its constant flashing lights. It’s just too easy to be distracted.

For those that don’t have ADHD, picture this: you are trying to do a simple task, like brushing your teeth or taking out the trash. Now, picture every few seconds a monkey in a sparkly unitard running through the room, setting off fireworks. So, you follow the monkey. But then that monkey turns into another monkey, so another problem. Eventually, you realize it is 4 PM and you still need to take out the trash, brush your teeth, and prep for your interview. So with all these complications, how are you supposed to ace an interview? In a job interview, you’re expected to stay in your seat and sit still, even when all you want to do is run for the hills. How are you supposed to prepare? How do you overcome these hurdles? Well, with these insider tips and tricks from our in-house ADHD specialist (me), you’ll ace your interview and get that job!

Think Before You Speak

Two people sitting across from each other. A dark hair man with a beard is wearing a white shirt and a dark suit jacket writing something down. The woman is wearing a patterned shirt facing away from the camera. The text says, , 1. Think before you speak.

If you have ADHD, you definitely know what this means. Every teacher you ever had knows what this means. When your brain runs a million miles an hour, you feel like you always have to say the first thing that comes to mind. Hold on, because controlling what you say is even more important in an interview.

Don’t blurt out the first answer that comes into your brain. Listen, breathe, and digest each question. Ensure that you understand what exactly they are asking you. Ask follow-up questions like “You mean like-” to show them that you are really thinking about it. This will show an interviewer that you are serious about the job and care about getting it.

How to Fix Fidgeting

"Hey guys, why don't we take a 5 minute break?"

Now we're not suggesting fidgeting can be permanently fixed. It's such a normal part of your life with ADHD that you don’t notice it. You don’t notice your foot bouncing or fingers moving while sitting idly. So how can you stop? Don’t worry; there are ways to combat this!

One trick is to get a fidget ring. They usually cost $5 to $10 and are a good investment for a person with ADHD who needs it. Or, you can ask for a glass of water to take a sip every time the urge to fidget comes in. Another low-cost option is using rubber bands to stretch. You could even use a plastic bottle cap to fiddle! There are many options for fidget toys that will use your idle energy for the better. Fidgeting helps you focus.

Keeping Focus

"Maddie, you're an expert at this. Could you take a look?"

When you're sitting in that stuffy interview room, the last thing you want to do is blank out. You may find yourself staring off at a clock or some keepsake on the interviewer’s desk. Or maybe you’re interviewing from home, and all you can focus on is that impossibly large pile of laundry that seems to grow and grow. If you are interviewing from home, you can work to remove distractions from your environment. This will allow you to focus more on the interview.

Another way to stay present is to focus on your breathing. There are a variety of breathing exercises you can use to help you focus during an interview.

One we recommend is the 4-7-8 method. The 4-7-8 method is inhaling for four seconds, holding your breath for seven seconds, and exhaling for eight seconds. It is used to calm the mind and body especially in stressful situations, like interviews! Breathing is a great way to keep focused not just in an interview but in everyday life as well!

Research Possible Interview Questions

A woman is holding a cup of coffee and staring at her laptop. She is wearing a gray-colored shirt. The text says, "4. Research possible interview questions

Now, not every interviewer will say this, but there are common interview questions you can prepare yourself for. Things like “What are your strengths and weaknesses,” “Tell me about yourself,” and “What are your salary expectations?”

An interview is like that algebra test in 9th grade. You know what will be asked. The teacher (or interviewer) has already given you a study guide. So how will you be ready? Prepare ahead of time, researching questions and your answers, writing them down beforehand, and practicing them OUT LOUD with someone. This repetition will ensure you are prepared when you step into that interview.

An Interview, Not An Interrogation

Two people sitting on a couch with a laptop. The woman is wearing a white shirt and gray pants, writing in a notebook. The man is wearing a black shirt and pants. The text reads, “5. Remember: It’s an interview, not an Interrogation

One of the biggest misconceptions about interviews is the idea that they are an interrogation. You are not someone held captive. You are not there against your will, praying that the right answer will set you free. You are there because you want to be there, and your conversation should reflect that. For every two or three questions the interviewer asks, you should ask your own throwback question. This will show the interviewer that you are listening and interested.

For example, when the interviewer asks, “What are our greatest strengths? “ answer by asking, “What strengths would you like me to have in this position?” This will keep the conversation flowing and show that you are interested.

Two black men are sitting across from each other. One is wearing a black shirt. One is wearing a blue shirt and a black suit jacket and holding a clipboard. A book is on the desk.

ADHD Super Skills

The ADHD brain is constantly coming up with new ideas. In a marketing meeting and need three to five ideas? A person with ADHD has ten ready to go and probably thought of five more in the meeting alone. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, ADHD is a recognized disability. They legally have to give you “reasonable accommodations,” which are not expensive and can give you the best chance at success.

It is best to tell your supervisor and HR after you’ve been hired. Despite ADHD being a legally protected disability, it is still misunderstood and can lead to unjust discrimination. You don’t have to tell them the nature of your disability. You must put in writing, “I work best with (insert accommodation).” Reasonable bosses and HR will give you the accommodation. Those that won’t? That doesn’t seem like a place people would want to work anyway.

Finally

Two black women are standing facing each other. On the right, she is wearing a tan suit jacket with a burgundy top and holding a coffee cup. On the left, she wears a lighter tan sweater and hoop earrings. She is holding a laptop.

You’ve made it. You focused on this article long enough to learn the tips and tricks to help you go into that interview room and excel. So go for it! Fight the modern world designed to distract you! Get out there and show the world what a superstar with ADHD can do! And the next time you see a monkey in a sparkly unitard running through the room setting off fireworks, you will know just how to handle it.