Overview
Interviews are designed for neurotypical communication — eye contact, fast back-and-forth, 'sell yourself'. Reasonable adjustments level the field.
Key points to understand
- Common adjustments: questions in advance, written interview, working interview, longer interview, no panel, quiet room.
- Ask for adjustments when invited to interview — quote the Equality Act.
- Practical / task-based interviews often show autistic strengths better than open chat.
- Disclosure at interview is your choice — and often helpful.
Practical strategies that help
- Request questions 24–48 hours in advance.
- Visit the interview location beforehand if possible.
- Prepare structured answers using STAR (situation, task, action, result).
- Bring water, fidgets and notes.
Common challenges to be aware of
- Eye contact and 'enthusiasm' are not job-relevant skills — challenge feedback that scores them.
- Mock interviews with an autism employment service build confidence.
How Bright Steps can help
Bright Steps brings together autistic people, families, carers and professionals across the UK. You can use the Community to talk to others who get it, save articles and activities to your Library, and explore Resources built for everyday life. Our Routines and Reward Charts turn ideas from this article into things you can try today.
💡 Tip: Bookmark this article using the Save button at the top so you can come back to it. Everything you save lives in your personal library under Saved.
References & further reading
✏️ This article will be expanded with rich, UK-specific content, case studies, video explainers and downloadable resources. If you'd like to contribute a story or suggest a correction, contact the Bright Steps editors via the Community page.