ERIC Number: EJ1393096
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023-Oct
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1362-3613
EISSN: EISSN-1461-7005
'If I'm Just Me, I Doubt I'd Get the Job': A Qualitative Exploration of Autistic People's Experiences in Job Interviews
Finn, Mikaela; Flower, Rebecca L.; Leong, Han Ming; Hedley, Darren
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, v27 n7 p2086-2097 Oct 2023
Autistic people face many challenges entering the workforce, for example, during job interviews where performance is reliant on particular social skills. To be competitive during job interviews, autistic people may experience pressure to conceal or 'camouflage' their autistic traits and behaviour. This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews to explore the job interview experiences of 10 autistic people. Based on the literature, we were curious as to whether participants would report behaviour consistent with the camouflaging hypothesis. Thematic analysis identified six themes reflecting individual and environmental factors. Participants reported engaging in camouflaging behaviour during job interviews, with external factors (e.g. avoid being treated differently) cited as the primary reason. Participants reported that camouflaging required effort, leading to stress, anxiety, exhaustion and feeling 'burnt out'. They expressed a desire for an inclusive, understanding and accommodating environment where they would feel more comfortable disclosing their diagnosis without feeling they needed to conceal their autistic traits and behaviour. These preliminary findings add to the current literature regarding autism, camouflaging and employment.
Descriptors: Job Applicants, Employment Interviews, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Interpersonal Competence, Behavior, Anxiety, Work Environment, Adults, Foreign Countries
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A