Field notes · 8 February 2026
Preparing for accessible interview formats
What to request before a panel day, and how to practise answers without masking your working style.
Accessible interviews begin before you enter the room. Ask about building access, break timing, captioned video calls, or written questions in advance. Many German employers will accommodate these requests if they arrive early and sound practical. Last-minute surprises help no one.
Practice sessions should mirror the real format. If the panel uses competency questions, rehearse STAR-style answers with a coach who will also notice when masking costs too much energy. Performing neurotypical small talk for ninety minutes is not a neutral skill test — it is an endurance tax. Name that in preparation so you can decide where to invest effort.
Bring a short list of adjustments you may need on the job, ranked by importance. Interviewers sometimes ask speculative questions about “challenges.” Answering with adjustments and outcomes keeps the conversation on work quality rather than deficit.
After the interview, note which questions felt fair and which felt invasive. That record helps you decide whether the employer’s culture matches the inclusion language on their career page.