Interview questions. Scenario 10 of 11. Before the interview

Asking for adjustments

You have been invited to an interview next week. You are autistic, and you know you answer much better when you can read a question as well as hear it. The invitation email says: "Let us know if you need any adjustments."

You are worried that asking will count against you.

What is the best call?

Say nothing, and try to manage on the day.

Could be better

It is your choice, and nobody has to disclose. But they have invited you to ask, and you already know what would help. Without it they will see a weaker version of you than the one who could do the job.

Reply to the email with a specific request. "It would help me to have the questions in writing during the interview, and a few extra minutes to answer."

Good call

A specific, practical request is easy to say yes to. By law, employers have to make reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants. You do not have to give your whole history, only what you need and why it helps.

Wait until you are in the room, then ask whether you can see the questions.

Could be better

Asking late is better than not asking, and a good interviewer will try. But they may not have the questions printed, and it puts you both on the spot. Asking ahead gives them time to arrange it.

Reply with a long email about every difficulty you have ever had at work.

Not the best call

You are not being asked to justify yourself, and this shares far more than they need. It can bury the one useful thing: the request. Keep it to what would help you on the day.

The principle

Asking for an adjustment is not asking for a favour. Say what you need, in one or two specific sentences, before the day. It lets them see how well you can actually do the job.