Aspies For Freedom

This week I applied to a graduate recruitment scheme (in the Technology department), using an online application form.  I feel that I have the qualifications they're asking for - they expect applicants to receive a 2:1 degree classification, and I think I'm on target for that in my Computing Science degree.  But just a couple of days later, I received a rejection letter, which I don't feel is very helpful, as it doesn't explain in precise detail the reasons why I was rejected.

I realise that these graduate recruitment schemes are highly competitive - in fact they only accept 50 to 60 graduates per year, and I bet thousands of people from all over the UK apply.   I didn't really expect to go all the way, however I was surprised I was rejected at the first stage, as it's a 4 stage recruitment process.

This is the email I received:

They gave an opportunity for me to provide feedback on the application process, so this is what I wrote back to them:

To clarify what I'm talking about in the above message - I achieved 3 A Levels (exams you take when you are 18)- one grade A, one grade C, and one grade D, where I missed a C by just one mark.  I believe my previous exam results were better - in my GCSEs (exams you take at age 16) I got two grade A*, 4 grade Bs, 1 grade C and 1 grade E, but there was no opportunity for me to state those on the form.

Yes considering the amount of time they have to go through each aplication. So it would make there life a lot difficult repling back with personal responses. As what you got was an automatic one sent to all other people who were rejected. So you now no need longer to wait, and have to catch up on them as well as trying to be helpful and polite.

I realise that in most cases, recruiters do not provide a personalised response, and that many simply do not have the time to do so.  Of course, even a generic rejection letter is still more considerate than a complete wall of silence.

But a graduate application form is very long, with lots of detailed questions to fill in, meaning it often takes much longer to complete than a standard application form (eg one for a job vacancy which doesn't require a degree or higher education).  Students/graduates are also expected to fill in each form individually and tailor the responses to each company - they are not allowed to copy and paste responses from other company's forms.  We invest a lot of time applying for jobs - time which could be used for studying.

That is why I think it is reasonable to expect a more detailed response -I don't expect it to be highly detailed or to take a long time, but just enough so I know what I can improve in the future.  

I was reading an article in a recruitment magazine, where the author agreed that rejection letters are often not detailed enough, and that it can lead to some students/graduates becoming depressed and feeling hopeless, especially if they are unemployed for many months, because they don't know what they have to do to improve their chances.  The author argued that if applicants are willing to invest a large amount of time, the recruiter should reciprocate and show the same respect.  But having said that, many companies do try hard to be considerate, and many do provide responses that are a little more detailed.

My basic argument is that if some companies can be considerate, why can't they all be?

Time is money.

well unfortunately thats what there first priority is rather than being more considerate to you. As they try to employ the best of the best as quick as possible to make them earn more money.

I'm happier now - they responded to my comments.  They basically said that my responses in the questions needed to be more specific and detailed.

I don't think I will apply for any more of these graduate recruitment schemes though, especially as it says you need leadership skills, which is something I find very difficult anyway.  When I was filling in the form, I didn't realise they put such a heavy emphasis on leadership.  

But now at least I know how I can improve for the future!  :smile:

I may be wrong but I thought you had to declare a disability that you are aware of BEFORE getting a job, in order to be protected?

I didn't know that. I am pretty sure there are countries or areas where you can only claim anything like that if you declared it (if you knew) when starting work, or when diagnosed, even if they don't ask.

I am not sure though. It would make sense though, in some circumstances, because a lot of problems can arise from miscommunication etc. and sadly, once the bad atmosphere is there, coming up with "Oh by the way I have AS so you can't sack me" does not sound like a very smart thing to do. It's hardly the kind of thing that gets you your job back, or gets you a good employment record.

Is Asperger's considered a disability? On my application for NASA SHARP, I checked "yes" for a disability and put down Asperger's Syndrome. I was nonetheless rejected.

After two rejections from summer programs from which I disclosed Asperger's (because a recommendation from a science teacher would suggest anti-social symptoms), I stopped disclosing Asperger's and was accepted at two other programs (one summer program, one early entrance).

This sucks.  Demonstrates a clear prejudice, though, don't you think?

What's wrong with these "normal" people who make this sort of decision?

I don't know how much you can generalize from this, but...

About a year ago I applied for a job in Baton Rogue (LA, United States). Afer the interview they had me take serveral tests, including the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) test. This is a screening exam for a number of psychiatric diseases, most of which are covered by the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). I was very uncomfortable being compelled to take this test.

When I was in the airport bar eating lunch and waiting for my return flight, this lady sat down at my table and started talking to me. It turns out that she works for the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commision). After she talked to me a while I mentioned the job interview and the MMPI test and asked her if that was legal. She said no, it is completely illegal for an employer to require a prospective employee to disclose an ADA-protected disability prior to hiring.

She gave me her phone number and said she would be happy to follow-up and start federal proceedings against the company. I didn't want to make waves though, because I might have needed the job. Luckily I ended up getting a job somewhere else.

It would depend on what type of job you were applying for.  Some jobs that involve public safety, I could see them testing candidates for but usually unsuitable people would be screened out and never finish training courses.  

Here is the website:  http://www.pearsonassessments.com/tests/...sonnel.htm

Myers-Briggs test, a personality type test, usually would put most Asperger's at INTP, ENTP, INTJ.   INTP is a personality type shared with psychopaths.  The difference with Asperger's and psychopaths is Asperger's lack of Machaeveillian thinking.  The INTJ is the "little professor type".  None of these personality type descriptions are very flattering or totally accurate for Asperger's.

I once was very abused by psychometric testing in job interviews.   Three people in different personnel departments were taking a course on interviewing skills and psychometric testing.  They decided that I would be their project.  The first one called me for a job interview and gave me an online test (I thought they were asking alot of stupid questions that did not have anything to do with the job).  The others then used different interview styles and see how I reacted.  Their instructor phoned me and asked if I knew they were doing a project/experiment.  I honestly thought I had been given interviews for the purpose of employment.  The instructor failed them all for unethical behaviour.  Unfortunatley for me, all of them blacklisted me and I could never get good employment in that field again.  

I think psychometric testing should be illegal in most workplaces.  Even when used as a "communcation" tool, it can be abused.  I had one manager as everyone in the department to do a test.  He used the results to find better ways of harrassing us out of our jobs or getting people fired.  I guess the only advantage to scoring INTJ is that some people are afraid of me since they might think I am a psychopath.