JOb INterviews | ADHD Information

Like ShawnB, I wouldn't say that I have ADHD either.  There are lots of people out there ignorant of ADHD.  Their perception of it may be negative, thus, pass on to you before they even get to know you and your abilities.

Some people also don't believe in ADHD and feel it is an excuse.  I usually live my life not thinking about my ADHD, I certainly wouldn't want others to id me as "the one with ADHD" either.

Good luck.

If you are wondering why you havent ben chosen for a job, you can always email the prospective employer and write that you wanted to thank them for the time they took to consider your applciation etc, ask if perhaps they could make some suggestions about areas where u need to improve so that you can take to heart and perhaps help you with your next interview etc or something to that effect.. Personally, I would not tell a potential employer about my ADHD. I only stress the great qualities I have (that ADHD allows me to accomplish, like multi-tasking, hyper-focusing, being creative..etc..etc.). I don't know if they would give you the opportunity to grow in the way you want, if they feel you're limited in any way. That code may just be that they're not going to fire anyone or refuse to hire anyone because of a disability. Use ADHD to your advantage in a positive way, not a way to make someone feel obligated to you and give you something because of it.  Please do not take offense to that.. it's not meant that way at all. 

Our company has hired from outside rather than within to manage our department, so I have been looking for new employment not because of my ADHD characteristics, but to advance in my line of work.

Now that ADHD is considered to be a possible learning disability, does this allow me submit to my employer this information because of the company's Code of Conduct will not limit any one with disabilities.

I have been to so many interviews in the 8 months and I wonder whether these common characteristics are hindering me to attain new employment.  If that is the case, should I state this condition to the interviewer?  (Bear in mind, I have taken the time to practise all the common interview questions at home.)

Why not?  What are we afraid of?  This should not be a negative drawback, but people have to understand who we are and what we can do for them.

Remind them that a great leader in the 1940's saved their country from being conquered by their enemy.  Remind them that this interview may not occur in this room because the artificial light was invented by a person of great knowledge.  Tell them you arrived on time because you drove your car for this interview. 

Regards,

REAM

The car part pertains to Henry Ford and how he began the automobile.I recently told my employer that I had ADHD and it has become kind of big deal, so much so that I'm regretting I told them in the first place.  Initially, I told them because I felt it would explain some of my not-so-welcome behaviors since I was getting side effects from the medication I was taking (Strattera) and the lack of sleep was making me, well, a little too cranky.

I ended up asking about medical leave, in case I had to increase my dose.  I work at a small company, so it's a big deal for them.  Yes, they have to accomodate me, but, no, they don't have to be happy about it and my work isn't.

Companies don't have to tell you why they aren't hiring you, so unless you have an inside scoop, it's difficult to prove discrimination.  And ADHD is a distinct disadvantage in some jobs.  As a manager, I'd personally be hesitant to hire another ADHDer into my team because I understand that they won't be very good at the kind of work I do (I am a Software Quality Assurance Engineer which requires attention to detail).  But I wouldn't tell anyone that I wasn't hiring them because they were ADHD.  I'd say something that kept the company out of a lawsuit.

I consider myself an honest person, so when I go for an interview, I emphasize what I'm good at and I do very well at interviews and usually get a job I want.  I am also honest about the aspects of my job that I'm not that good at.  Unfortunately, I usually get understanding nods and managers who assign me to the work that I explained in the interview that I'm not good at.  Then I get bad reviews.  It's an unfortunate problem, a side effect of being in a career that's not particularly good for an ADHDer, I think.

I believe in working with your strengths, and as an ADHDer, you have some natural ones (such as those Shaun mentions).  I'm currently attempting to find a new career that plays to that.  But apart from say being and ADHD coach (which I'd consider) I don't think ADHD would ever be anything less than burdensome to an employer and I'd avoid telling anyone unless for some reason I had to.
Thank you for your comments.

Yes, I am honest too and I have not mentioned to anyone at my interviews what I have.  I am still searching, but I have a strong feeling that there is something coming up shortly.

The way I see it as a best example (folks this is not to finger point anyone in particular), if one comes out of the closet stating they are homosexual, why can't we come out and say we are ADHD recipients.  What was that old television commercial, "Can you tell the difference?"

Society is accepting us too slowly.

Regards,

REAM
I've told some employers and not others.

If the place has an anti-discriminatory hiring policy [eg: some social service agencies] I SHOW them in the interview, what the strength of having it, is. Because in some work environments--it makes you *better* than the average worker. Hyperfocusing, understanding difficult clients with mental health struggles, the quick gear shifting, multi-tasking, putting together a pattern of behaviour in a heartbeat,--that sort of thing makes ADHD a bonus.

That helps me with the *fit* of the job.

Other places I don't tell them.

It's context.
I personally think that if you want to fit in its better to keep your mouth shut. I dont think that its limited to ADHD either. FOr example I have Crohn's disease which means often feel sick but I think my work should speak for itself. Because its a chronic disease it comes and goes and since I cant predict when Ill be affected I choose to say nothing since it may never be an issue. I know its not the same thing as ADHD however the reality is that if the employer had to choose between you and someone else with the same qualifications they would choose the other people b/c why would they want the hassle?