Interview reasonable adjustments

bopsi

Hi everyone. I am after some advice please. I work in the Civil Service and our interviews are difficult. Usually 4 competency style questions and 4 strengths based questions- in a timed environment. I have ME which causes cognitive issues, made worse under the stress of an interview. Although I prepare and have notes, I have trouble remembering the question once I've embarked on my answer. So my answers can seem off topic. I've tried repeating the question and jotting down the question but my brain just cannot hold all the information needed crammed into a short time frame. My brain also goes blank on the strength questions as it cannot drag up answers quick enough. I think I need to ask for some reasonable adjustments but not sure what to ask for. Would it be reasonable to ask to see questions 5 mins before interview? Any suggestions appreciated.

janer1967

Hi there 

Yes you can ask for reasonable adjustments but from what you say above I don't see how seeing them 5 min before would help 

It may help for the strength questions but 5 min wouldn't give you much time to prepare all the answers 

I would speak to those conducting the interview or the recruitment team as they may have come across this before and have an alternative solution 

Maybe you could have a timed session exam style before to make notes on questions 

bopsi

Hi @Woodbine,  thank you .  I am trying to move into 'Policy' which is very competitive. I am trying either on level transfer or promotion. The memory problems in interview are making me think its safer to stick to level transfer (currently HEO)

Ross_Alumni

Hello @bopsi

Welcome to the community, glad you've joined us. 

Have you discussed the subject with the employer at all? They might be able to ffer potential adjustments themselves and you could have a constructive conversation to try and resolve matters.