Job fair set for those on autism spectrum
A information technology and compliance consulting business that hires workers on the autism spectrum is having its first job fair since it set up shop in Columbus.
Auticon, based in Berlin, Germany, wants to hire 50 autistic adults in Columbus over the next two years for careers in software development, data analytics, quality assurance, salesforce development and other fields.
The event, set for 4 to 7 p.m. on Sept. 14 at the Fawcett Center on the Ohio State University campus, is an opportunity for partners and job seekers to meet Auticon company leaders and learn more about what the company has to offer.
The event is free, but registration is required.
The event is geared toward job seekers who have an autism diagnosis with at least one year of experience working in technology.
Also invited are autism advocates invested in finding employment for autistic adults, parents and families of autistic job candidates, university job placement recruiters, corporate hiring managers interested in becoming an Auticon client and others with connection to the autism community.
Applicants should dress comfortably and bring with them anything that makes them more relaxed, including fidget spinners, said Louise Stone, head of recruitment and community partnerships for Auticon.
The hiring process for Auticon is different from other companies, she said.
"It's kind of a longer process to get to know our candidates really well," she said.
"It's more like a series of conversations rather than a traditional interview," she said. "Auticon is looking for an ideal placement best suited for a candidate and learning more about the candidate's technical skills."
Autistic adults often have extraordinary cognitive abilities such as logic, pattern recognition, precision, sustained concentration and an ability to intuitively spot errors, but many struggle to find and keep work, according to the company. Market studies show that only 15% to 20% of autistic people work in the mainstream labor market, even with technology degrees. mawilliams@dispatch.com @Bizmarkwilliams