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Disability-Related Interview Tips: 5 Strategies to Improve the Odds of Finding a
Job
The labor
market is challenging as it is, but if you are a person with a disability, you
are often faced with additional obstacles in order to find meaningful
employment. Statistics show that for every one interview a non-disabled person
does, a person with a disability does five in order to secure a job!** While
the numbers seem staggering, the five strategies below can assist in improving
the odds.
1. Decide up front whether or not you will disclose your
disability. Make a list of the pros and cons of disclosure. A hidden
disability may not require disclosure unless you are requesting an
accommodation. You may choose to disclose an apparent disability ahead of time
to ensure the interviewer focuses on you and your abilities vs. you and your
disability. The decision to disclosure is yours. Do what feels comfortable, and
remember, disclosure doesn’t mean telling your life story! Keep it simple,
practice what you’ll say, and only share what is relevant to the job.
2. When you are scheduling an interview, be sure to ask up front what the
process involves (e.g. Will testing of any sort occur? How will the tests be
administered? Where will the interview occur?). If you do require an
accommodation at the initial interview, ask the employer as far ahead of time as
possible. Don’t wait until the last minute! Be open to other suggested
accommodations by the employer if they would satisfactorily meet your needs.
Remember, an employer is not required to provide you with the exact
accommodation you request. Show your openness during this interactive process.
3. Be proactive! Be prepared to demonstrate how you will be able to
perform the essential functions of a job with or without an accommodation. Don’t
wait for an employer to ask, especially if your disability is apparent. Share
with confidence how you’ll be able to successfully get the job done and include
examples of how past accommodations or modifications have worked to everyone’s
advantage. Your confidence will help dispel any concerns the employer may have.
4. Don’t let your disability define you. You are a combination of many
wonderful skills and abilities. The more positive you are, the more an employer
will focus on your attributes. Remember - you are a job candidate that just
happens to have a disability. Keep the focus on YOU!
5. Practice, practice, practice! Don’t go to a job interview thinking you
will be able to “wing it,” especially as it relates to addressing your
disability. Often, when we’re nervous, we will either say too much or too
little. It’s always best to script out what you will say, anticipate possible
questions, and then practice your response. Get the advice of a trusted friend
or colleague. Go in prepared to dazzle them!
**This
specific statistic was taken from “Windmills” Attitudinal Training Program.
Would you like to reprint this article?
You may as long as you include this blurb in its entirety:
Lisa Jordan
is a disability and workforce development expert. Lisa uses her keen ability to
identify challenges and develop solutions so
that workforce development professionals can increase their comfort level,
productivity and effectiveness when working with a diverse clientele. Download
Lisa’s White Paper on 5 Easy Disability Tips to Immediately Increase Agency
Accessibility by visiting
http://www.human-solutions.net.
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