217: Neurodivergence and accommodations in the job search - Part 1

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Mar 4, 2026

They explore how standard hiring practices can unintentionally disadvantage people with ADHD, autism, and processing differences. They highlight hidden interview expectations like on-the-spot memory, verbal processing, eye contact, and small talk. They encourage self-reflection to map specific interview hurdles and consider whether to request tailored adjustments. They invite listener stories to shape the next installment.

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INSIGHT

Interviews Often Test Irrelevant Skills

Traditional hiring tests many skills that don't predict job performance.
Sarah lists examples like verbal processing, working memory, eye contact, small talk and performing in unfamiliar spaces that often matter more in interviews than the actual role.

ANECDOTE

Sarah's Late ADHD Diagnosis And Hiring Perspective

Sarah shares her lived experience of being diagnosed with ADHD at 30 and how that shaped her perspective.
She notes she didn't need many accommodations in recruitment and thus has limited experience disclosing during hiring processes.

ADVICE

Map How Your Brain Shows Up At Work

Do honest self-reflection about how your brain shows up across the job search and at work.
Emma and Sarah recommend mapping specific struggles (e.g., working alone, need for supportive manager) instead of vague dislikes so you avoid repeating poor fits.

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Job Interviews aren't designed with every brain in mind.

After hearing from listeners navigating interviews with ADHD, autism, and processing differences, Sarah and Emma dive into how traditional hiring processes can unintentionally test skills that have little to do with actually doing the job. From remembering answers on the spot and processing complex questions verbally, to eye contact, small talk, and performing in unfamiliar environments, we unpack the hidden expectations some candidates are facing.

This episode is Part 1 of our deep dive into neurodivergence and the job hunt, focusing on self-reflection and understanding how your brain shows up in interviews before deciding whether to ask for adjustments.

We’re also calling for listener stories to help shape Part 2, where'll we answer the big questions. If you’ve asked for accommodations, disclosed during hiring, or found strategies that made interviews more accessible, we’d love to hear from you.

🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Sonya who bought us 10 coffees!

“Dear Emma and Sarah, I started listening to your podcast in October 2025 after accepting a junior-level position because I felt it was the best I was going to get. Since 2023, I’ve been on a steady path of building skills and applying for roles, trying to reposition myself professionally. After running my own small business for ten years and then pivoting to pursue a MPH, I truly believed I would be able to land a meaningful position. Instead, I repeatedly heard that other candidates were “more suitable.” I revised my resume countless times and decided I needed to strengthen my skill set. I took Spanish classes because being bilingual was listed as a qualification in many job postings. But when I noticed that project management skills were consistently required for the roles I wanted, I studied for over a year and earned my Project Management Professional certification – something I wish I had discovered fifteen years earlier. (I would have run my business a lot better!) Then, I began applying for junior-level roles because I convinced myself I wasn’t qualified for more. That mindset led me to accept the job I mentioned earlier. Then I found your podcast. The most transformative shift came from the episode about interviews being a two-way process. I voraciously listened to as many episodes as I could while continuing to apply for jobs. Recently, I advanced to a panel interview with six executive leaders for a high-level role I wasn’t even sure I had a chance at. That was when I enrolled in Interview Academy. I had two weeks to prepare. What I discovered was that I had been approaching interviews in fragments; bits and pieces of preparation, but nothing cohesive. Interview Academy is structured which helped me step back and see the full scope of my 28-year career. I had spent so much time focusing on where I thought I “should be” that I minimized what I had actually accomplished. Through Interview Academy, I recognized the depth and breadth of my work: collaborating with local businesses, leading community outreach efforts, publishing a book, and launching an online industry magazine. I had been embarrassed by some of these things because I didn’t think they reflected “current” skills. Thanks to you Sarah and Emma, I could clearly see the impact I’ve made on organizations, clients, and colleagues. Now, as I pursue a career in philanthropy, I feel confident in what I bring to the next nonprofit I serve regardless if I get this position or not. My deepest gratitude and appreciation to you for creating something that helped me rediscover my professional worth. It was something I didn’t even realize I was looking for—but truly needed. Keep doing the good work you do! Sonya from Arizona, USA."

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