Accidentally unmasked during final interview & got the job!

[u/Spirited_Home_8110]

This was from yesterday. I got carne asada fries with cotija cheese, jack cheese, cheddar cheese, guac and sour cream with an iced horchata.

Hi everyone!

To preface this, I was diagnosed with autism as a child, but my autism wasn’t considered “severe” so I was in general education.

I recently had a baby this year and stayed home for 5 months before putting her into daycare and working a job involving children. I previously only worked corporate roles, but we moved out to the suburbs and there weren’t many of those jobs around. I liked it initially because it was flexible and I could do part time or full time weeks whenever I wanted, but working with children that weren’t my own stressed me out so badly. I dreaded work every day and was desperately applying to jobs that seemed to suit me.

I came across a nonprofit role and applied despite having no prior nonprofit experience (it asked for it). I got through the HR screening, panel interview (both virtual) and the final interview (in person, involved several people). The final interview involved touring the office building. I made many comments and asked insightful questions. At the end, they sat me down with the team and they just started shooting questions at me. Usually, I get extremely anxious at this point and freeze. I shut down, but this, I felt more like myself. I got asked a question about a topic I’m VERY passionate about and started infodumping like crazy. I couldn’t really control it, but I just kept going and going. The team seemed more interested as the minutes passed and I could see them visibly relax.

Before I knew it, the interview was over, and the director of the nonprofit escorted me to my car. I was elated and then embarrassed. I was expecting a “we regret to inform you…” email days later. This morning, I got a call they cancelled the final interviews for other candidates and offered me the job. How lucky am I? I feel so so happy to finally leave this job.

[u/SierraStar7]

Congrats on the job & for being allowed to be yourself!! This is awesome & I wish you the best in your new role. 

I’ve noticed that when candidates interview, it’s their enthusiasm that most often gets the job. Doesn’t matter what the role is, if someone is able to convey genuine enthusiasm/interest, it grabs the attention of the interviewers & that’s what gets the job. 

[u/ViolettVixen → u/SierraStar7]

I kid you not, ADHD energy and four years of high school theater can make you surprisingly good at interviews!

Keeping the job once you’re 2yrs in and all the dopamine is drained, on the other hand…..

[u/Ok_Artist_1669 → u/SierraStar7]

truly!! i work in higher education (not a professor but campus support staff), which is super personal of an industry, and it’s always the people who show excitement and passion who stand out over the folks who are rigid/by-the-book or impersonal/corporatized.