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Interviews and competency based questioning

Samantha
During interviews I always loose marks on competency based questions and feedback is always "came across as nervous", "tenancy to waffle, answering competency questions" In my defence, I do have multiple disabilities (mental, sensory, hearing and mobility) The interviewer asks the questions and before they've finished the question, ive forgot the first part of the question, never mind how I'm going to answer it... does anyone have any tips on getting round this?
Parents
  • I prepare and make notes on what I can in terms of the company info, values, mission, highlights etc. To be honest I can't remember the questions that were asked now anyway Thinking so I couldn't tell you what they were based on. I am familiar with STAR and try to follow it but once again memory isn't the greatest and trying to focus on what the question is asking of me, thinking of a suitable answer and then applying the framework is too much processing in one go for me. hence why I loose marks, waffle, panic, stammer and stutter. I have previously informed employers of my disabilities and this has backfired in the past of either being passed over or not taken seriously. believe it or not but one employer actually said that they couldn't accommodate my needs and withdrew offer of an interview.
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  • I prepare and make notes on what I can in terms of the company info, values, mission, highlights etc. To be honest I can't remember the questions that were asked now anyway Thinking so I couldn't tell you what they were based on. I am familiar with STAR and try to follow it but once again memory isn't the greatest and trying to focus on what the question is asking of me, thinking of a suitable answer and then applying the framework is too much processing in one go for me. hence why I loose marks, waffle, panic, stammer and stutter. I have previously informed employers of my disabilities and this has backfired in the past of either being passed over or not taken seriously. believe it or not but one employer actually said that they couldn't accommodate my needs and withdrew offer of an interview.
Children
  • in reply to Samantha
    It’s certainly a challenge.

    If the interviews are competency based. And given your situation. I would focus less on researching their culture, operating model etc and more on preparing and refining your answers.

    If necessary I would take in brief notes on each of the likely competency areas with reminders of your examples in a STAR format.

    It’s likely you would be able to work out the most likely scenarios. Ie heavy ER role - “tell us about the most challenging Disciplinary case you have handled, what did you do and what was the outcome?”

    Heavy business partner role? “Tell us about where you had to persuade a manager….” Etc

    I would prepare 5 or 6 on a page with key points. And have that in front of me given the challenges you face.

    It’s sad the response you had asking for adjustments (and probably illegal) but maybe not uncommon. So notes and preparation may well be key.