Job interviews often include questions about how you have overcome difficult work situations, which can be a challenge for neurodivergent individuals who may have faced unique obstacles in their professional journeys. It’s important to approach this question with confidence and the ability to highlight your resilience and problem-solving skills. In this blog, we will explore why employers ask this question, provide guidance on how neurodivergent job-seekers can prepare effectively, and offer strategies to help you identify and articulate a suitable work situation, even if you have experienced other challenges related to your neurodiversity.

Why Employers Ask This Question:

Employers ask about your experiences in overcoming difficult work situations to assess your problem-solving abilities, resilience, and adaptability. They want to understand how you handle challenges, navigate conflicts, and find effective solutions. Employers are looking for candidates who can demonstrate their ability to overcome obstacles and contribute to a positive and productive work environment.

Steps to Prepare for the Interview Question:

Step 1: Reflect on challenging work situations:

• Take some time to reflect on your past experiences and think about situations that were particularly challenging or difficult. If you don’t have any previous work experience, you could use an example from school, university or voluntary experience.
• Consider conflicts with colleagues, tight deadlines, changes in projects or plans, or any other obstacles you had to overcome.

Step 2: Define the problem and your approach:

• Clearly describe the specific problem or obstacle you faced in the chosen work situation. Explain the context and the impact it had on your work or team.
• Share how you approached the situation. What steps did you take to address the problem or find a solution? Consider the strategies you used, any skills or strengths you applied, and any resources you utilized.

Step 3: Emphasize problem-solving and resilience:

• Highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to find solutions even in challenging circumstances. Talk about the actions you took to overcome the difficulty.
• Discuss how you demonstrated resilience by staying focused, motivated, and determined to find a resolution.
• If applicable, share any innovative or creative approaches you used to tackle the problem and achieve a positive outcome.

Step 4: Connect the situation to personal growth:

• Explain how the challenging work situation contributed to your personal and professional growth. What did you learn from the experience?
• You can also discuss the skills or knowledge you gained as a result of overcoming the challenge. How have you applied these lessons in subsequent situations?
• Highlight any positive outcomes or achievements that resulted from your ability to navigate and overcome the difficult work situation.

Example Answer:

“One challenging work situation I encountered was when I was assigned to a team project with tight deadlines and high expectations. As someone on the autism spectrum, I sometimes struggle with social interactions and communication, which made collaborating with a diverse team a bit challenging. However, I recognised the importance of effective teamwork and sought ways to navigate this situation.

To overcome this difficulty, I proactively communicated my needs and concerns to my team members and manager. I asked for clear guidelines and expectations, ensuring that I had a clear understanding of my role and responsibilities. Additionally, I utilised digital communication tools to enhance my written communication, allowing me to contribute effectively to team discussions and share my ideas.

By focusing on my individual strengths, such as attention to detail and problem-solving abilities, I was able to make valuable contributions to the project. As a result, our team successfully met the deadlines and achieved the project goals. Moreover, this experience taught me the importance of open communication, seeking support when needed, and leveraging technology to overcome challenges in the workplace.”

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Read our How to Answer ‘What Are Your Future Career Goals?’ Job Interview Question article here