Job interviews... | ADHD Information

I know that I have problems sitting still, especially when I'm excited, but I try to force myself to be still. The problem with that is that I often get a terrible itchy feeling in my face and especially in on my nose and eyes when I'm excited or uncomfortable and trying hard to sit still and avoiding scratching my face just increases my stresslevel. But I beleave I manage to suppress it, but I'm not sure how well I succeed; I can't really bring my wife to observe me either.

I allways try to be polite.

I've been told I should look people in the eyes and not look everywhere else (as I normally do), but looking people in the eyes distracts me from what they're saying an makes me blink involuntarily. For how long should one stare into someones eyes, actually? One second? Ten?

If I could explain that I have ADD and that Ritalin "cures" most of my problems (not that I ever would do this), I think I might actually be calmer, but of course this would probably make them think I'm a "problem child" or something....

It's rather hard to suggest anything without knowing what you're doing/saying at the interviews. It really is tough to get a job straight out of school. If they're are lying there's nothing you can do about it anyway. It's not like you can prove them wrong. I wouldn't think it's your ADD personality. How do you feel when you go into these places? Does your intuition give you the right vibe.. like you really want to work there? Sometimes I think that when you're not truly happy with how things feel around you, that you may send that vibe out to others. I hope I'm making sense to you here. There have been several interviews that I have went on that I just felt uneasy, or something about the place bothered me and I didn't want to work there after all... those were the ones I didn't get offers for.

You have to really sell yourself at interviews.  Especially in your field, it's highly competitive. I would tell them right up front that you know you lack experience, just recently graduating, but that you pick up quickly and are eager to learn etc...         

[QUOTE=qvasi]I graduated as Bachelor of Computer Science this in June this summer. (The studies was incredibly much easier when I started taking Ritalin, I supprised my self by getting a B on the Math exam I failed the the first time when I was undiagnosed! )

But since then I've been applying for jobs without any luck. The strange thing thoug is that I've been invited to lots of interviews, but afterwards they tell me they don't want me because I lack experience.. (Cathc 22) But why do they want to interview me when my resume clearly show that I DO LACK EXPERIENCE?!! Do they interview candidated for fun?? I'm starting to suspect that they're lying to me, that somehow they think I'm strange because of my ADD personality. But if it is so, I'm not sure what I might be "doing wrong" to put them off.

Please help me, any suggestions what I might do???
[/QUOTE]

They might be lying to you...  And, i don't know how you behave when you're on the interviews.... So, I can only base my guesses on expperiences I've had in my own life.

Someone I work with is EXTREMELY ADHD..  He's the owners son, so he has a job as long as he needs it....but the point is...is that he's very fidgety.  He can't sit or stand still.  he's always adjusting himself... kicking his feet out.. Very weird (when the ADHD diagnosis isn't known).   So, If HE were interviewing for a job, I would have to think that the potential employers would question his "sanity".  Can't SAY that, of course.  So, you tell him that "He doesn't have enough experience."

Thats one example...and not that you are like my employers son.  But, my point is:  Are you giving them reasons to NOT hire you?  I mean...is your shirt ironed?  Are you tucked in?  Are you sitting relatively still and letting them finish talking before you answer their question?  When you're in the waiting room are you pacing and "dancing" around?  (In some companies, the interview starts when you tell the receptionist why you are there.  Rather than in the interview room)  Speaking of that, were you rude to the receptionist?  Could she have perceived it as rudeness?

I do that a lot....If things are tense, or I am nervous...I say things that seem perfectly appropriate.  But someone takes it the "wrong" way, and think that I'm a big jerk. 

 

I graduated as Bachelor of Computer Science this in June this summer. (The studies was incredibly much easier when I started taking Ritalin, I supprised my self by getting a B on the Math exam I failed the the first time when I was undiagnosed! )

But since then I've been applying for jobs without any luck. The strange thing thoug is that I've been invited to lots of interviews, but afterwards they tell me they don't want me because I lack experience.. (Cathc 22) But why do they want to interview me when my resume clearly show that I DO LACK EXPERIENCE?!! Do they interview candidated for fun?? I'm starting to suspect that they're lying to me, that somehow they think I'm strange because of my ADD personality. But if it is so, I'm not sure what I might be "doing wrong" to put them off.

Please help me, any suggestions what I might do???
WASTE OF TIME FOR ME CAN ONLY GET JOBS THAT YOU CAN'T LIVE ON ANYHOW. I NEED HANDS ON LEARNING. TEXTBOOKS LEARNING i DON'T LIKE. I CAN GO TO SCHOOL 2 YEARS FREE BUT MOST CAREERS TAKE LONGER TO GET TRAINED IN. Demanded fields only.

qvasi - sometimes an interview can tell the employer so much more than a resume.  Many times with someone with no experience they can show a drive and ability in the interview that doesn't come across on paper.  What they most likely were looking for was the desire and drive to get the job done.  Perhaps you need to work on showing enthusiasm and wanting the job so much they simply cannot not employ you?

My first computer job I had to go back to the employer many times, each time demanding a chance.  They kept brushing me off until about the 5th time in 5 weeks when they finally gave me a shot.  Sometimes refusing to take no as an answer actually works!

Energy and determination can make up for experience in many cases.  You simply need to make them see it any way you can.  If they don't like that - you've merely wasted a few minutes of your time.