Help with Presentations while interviewing - cannot organize thoughts.

[LearningToCopewADHD]

I was recently impacted by the layoffs in the tech industry. I am in sales, and have been actively interviewing. I also suffer from RSD so interviewing is already taxing enough, let alone having to go through 4 or 5 rounds including roleplaying and presentations which are my worst nightmare. I have been getting to the later stages, but fumble when coming to the roleplays or presentation portions. I struggle to organize my thoughts and will often pause, use filler words, or not be able to find the correct word and using the wrong one and having to correct. I am losing out on these jobs that are already hard enough to score an interview for because I “lack executive presence” from the interviewer’s perspective. I have a great track record, but it is hard for the interview to see when they see me struggling to articulate. I of course sometimes stumble when I’m w client, but can recover. I have a history of making sales quotas consistently and my clients adore me. Any advice on how to push through these presentations? It looks like I haven’t prepared, when I have. It also looks like I don’t know the material, even though I do in and out. I understand their point of view, I may have the same if I were in their shoes. I’m struggling because I am so good w my clients, but the peer judgment or the interview process is getting the best of my nerves. My self worth is only plummeting and I’m getting nervous as I know it will be harder to land interviews the longer I am out of work and each company expects so much from the process and they take about a month or two to finish.

I’m getting incredibly worried that my ADHD will prevent me from getting a job again in this filed. Any and all suggestions are welcomed. Thank you!!!

[STEM_Dad]

It's hard. I had to find a job last year, and it took me several months.

I was looking for something in my field (Information Technology, but only managed to get a few interviews. I dad done other work in the past, so I expanded my search. I ended up a part-time cashier at Walmart for about 6-7 weeks, getting an interview for an IT job while I was there

You may have to get a different type of job for a little while, so be willing to expand your search.

When there's lots of competition for a particular job, employers will be extra picky.

~~~~~

There has also been a trend over the last several years or more of "credential creep", or "qualification creep". In the IT field, I've seen "entry-level" jobs that require at least 2 years of experience. But if a job requires experience, then obviously, it's not "entry-level".

-According to the IT management people that I've known, it's usually the HR folks who add such ridiculous qualifications.

- But then the interviewers (usually management folks) expect to hire a candidate who is more polished than is humanly capable, as you're finding.

I don't think that ADHD will keep you from getting a job again in your field, but you might have to wait a while for the job market to shake itself out.

I expected to get a remote IT job easily last year because the news outlets were reporting an abundance. That was followed up by reports of big tech companies laying off employees, and now all the reporting about the "return to office" push.

• If you're willing and able for a "return to office" position, then you might have an advantage over people who are unwilling to do so.

[ImTheDude]

I’ve been trying to find a new job and definitely feel your pain. I’ve been to the final round maybe 5 times now and seem to fumble somewhere. Best of luck!

[LearningToCopewADHD in reply to ImTheDude]

Thank you, you as well!

[StanleyThyroid]

I worked in sales for 20 years without knowing I had ADHD, like yourself high functioning. I would say the jobs I got were the ones that really excited me and in that regard you can use your ADHD hyperfocus to your advantage. If you are not excited by the job you will not perform in any case.

Just look at each interview as a learning opportunity and ask for feedback from the interviewers - ring them up and ask - no one does that. Its just a personal sales campaign, of several steps. In life skill is part of it but determination and persistence are equally important. GL

[LearningToCopewADHD in reply to StanleyThyroid]

I agree w it helping me in my job! My feedback has everything to do w my performance anxiety. I was even the top choice at this last place the entire time, to messing up the final due to performance anxiety, having a follow ip final round, then extending a verbal…all to changing their mind due to my presentation. I know why they are passing, I would as well ob me. The frustrating part is I know how to do the job, I just clam up for the roleplay. And no matter what I do, I can’t seem to get it together. All my preparation goes out the door. I’m like a deer in headlights, when in reality I have zero problem talking to csuite execs as I’m in enterprise sales, I’ve been going down to kid market, and can’t even close that. It’s so discouraging ☹️

[StanleyThyroid in reply to LearningToCopewADHD]

Thanks for the clarification and I do feel for you. I once missed out on a promotion for similar reasons. Are you on adhd medication? I saw aMel Robbins podcast where she said she never medicates on days where she is presenting as the adrenaline was enough. If it were me and I would give something like xanax ago just to get through. I agree there's likely a linkeage to RSD and we put massive pressure on ourselves to be completely perfect. GL.

[Emsil21]

I am in sales - relationship sales, I work in global oncology medical education and source funding from big pharma, Iv been in the medical sales world for 10 years plus now - I do not have a degree of any kind, and very average A levels, it took me a while to realise and stop being anxious about not being a medical mind and realised my skill was knowing what the client wanted out of investing and it was not to talk about the drugs they made with me, it was about me showing them the roi and aligning it with their goals, bit of a ramble (sorry) but the reason presentations are hard is because that’s not actually how you sell, you sell because as you said your clients love you! Next interview have 4 or 5 slides but start the ‘presentation’ asking questions then use your slides to visually answer them while adding context to your answers - ie, you mentioned this was important - show slide, (then example) - often people mention this and we decided to calculate the impact that this had - 29% better efficiency allowing more time to think about the future and plan strategies , or whatever…. I’m not in tech so not the greatest example, my point is I’m pretty sure my adhd makes me great at my job (as it certainly isn’t understanding inside and out the cancer treatments these companies make)- try to get out of your head and start the presentation as you - have a conversation then refer to slides as and when… role plays are awful but remember it’s not always a sale they are wanting to see from a role play - it’s a next step, ie ‘I can see this is a new type of process to your company, I think it would be worth while having a demo class with the key people who will be using this system and see how we can get it working best for you then take it from there… how does weds sound? ‘ sorry if I appear a know it all, I just had imposter syndrome for ages before realising sales is about the person not the product or they wouldn’t need us to sell it, they’d just whack the product on Amazon! Good luck you’ve got this - just be you!

[LearningToCopewADHD in reply to Emsil21]

Hi! Thank you, getting through the presentation is my biggest issue. I have been in sales for 13 years, mostly relationship building as well. I have always hit quota, been in the top percentage of sales people, have been promoted and hugely successful. However, it’s this final step I cannot get past.

I understand what it takes to have a strong discovery process and to always set up for next steps. I practice for hours, I’ve meditated, talked to therapists, hired interview coaches, have prepped w old colleagues and managers…but when it comes down to it…I end up blanking. I’ve legit had a panic attack right before. I understand why they aren’t moving forward, I wouldn’t either lol. But it’s just so frustrating when giving it ky all isn’t even good enough. It’s really making me start to lose hope. I’ve been at this foe 4 months, and unfortunately aren’t getting as many call backs now. I even had a verbal offer last week, reviewed benefits and was told the salary just had to be approved from HR, to getting an email today saying they are moving forward w others now because of the presentation..:which we had already addressed in an additional round and I was told I was receiving the offer in the next few days only to get the news they won’t get extending after assuring they were.

I suffer from rejection sensitivity, my hair is starting to thin, I don’t eat or get as much sleep as I should and I’m beginning to lose hope. I appreciate everyone’s advice, but unfortunately I’ve done so much of that and nothing seems to work. I’ve tried meditation, affirmations, therapy, journaling, podcasts on adhd and how to navigate through life w out medication, resetting my vagus nerve, power poses before interview, cold immersion showers, have paid for sales workshops, which I already know the material for lol. But I’ve legit tried so much, and nothing seems to work. I just am at such a loss 😔

[Decameron]

I think the combination of performance anxiety and the stress of the job hunt is a lot to deal with. If you have a therapist, I think it would be helpful to talk it through. As a low cost option, I remember a guy who used to train with Chuck Norris and he said he would get anxious before a tournament. To cope, he would meditate, then imagine himself at the tournament in great detail - sights, sounds, and all. Then he would imagine himself feeling calm and collected, kind of teaching his mind how to react to the stressor. Throw in some positive affirations for good measure. Hope that helps!