HR-Creating Neuroinclusive Hiring Practices: Interviews

Agenda & Modules

1. Welcome & Objectives

Define neuroinclusive interviewing and explore its impact on bias reduction

Clarify workshop goals: enhancing candidate experience and expanding diverse talent pools

2. Barriers in Traditional Interviews

Examine how unstructured conversations favor neurotypical communication styles

Identify common biases like halo/horn effects and confirmation bias

Highlight sensory and social challenges that may disadvantage neurodivergent candidates

3. Structuring Interviews for Inclusion

Build standardized question banks and scoring rubrics

Share visual schedules or interview agendas in advance to set expectations

Offer multiple response formats, including verbal, written, and video submissions

4. Alternative Assessment Methods

Introduce work samples, job trials, and task-based exercises

Break down “cognitive task components” into analytical, creative, and social elements

Set up silent interview stations or written Q&A to minimize sensory overload

5. Interviewer Training & Mindset

Practice clear, concrete phrasing and steer clear of idioms and jargon

Develop nonverbal awareness: respecting personal space and avoiding distracting gestures

Role-play accommodations scenarios, such as granting extra processing time

6. Designing Accommodations & Disclosure Pathways

Create confidential self-identification forms with safe submission channels

Use pre-interview checklists to capture individual support needs (for example, noise-canceling headphones or scheduled breaks)

Appoint an accommodations coordinator as a single point of contact

7. Feedback Loops & Continuous Improvement

Deploy post-interview candidate surveys focused on accessibility and clarity

Monitor key metrics: interview completion rates, time-to-hire, and retention of neurodivergent hires

Revise question sets and processes based on both quantitative data and lived-experience insights

8. Wrap-Up & Next Steps

Summarize key takeaways and translate insights into a personalized action plan

Outline resources and ongoing support for implementing neuroinclusive practices