Hello again fellow challengers. Today’s post is going to be dealing with interviews. Now for most people going into an interview is a nerve-racking experience. I mean an interview is basically going into a room with a complete stranger and having them judge you. If that isn’t uncomfortable, then I don’t know what is.
So you just got the call to come in for an interview. All you hard work on the job search is starting to pay off. Now what? Time to do research. There is the basic stuff that everyone should be doing. You know the routine: research the company, prepare for standard interview questions, review your resume and etc. However, having a disability adds an additional set of things to consider.
Disclose A Disability?
Let’s start with the elephant in the room. Do I tell them about my disability? If so, how much do I need to disclose? Honestly, this is a very tricky question. Personally I am of the mind that you tell as much as you require in order for your accessibility needs to be met. For instance, if you need a wheelchair and the interview is being held in an old building without elevators or wheelchair ramps, make sure they have the interview on the ground floor. Also check to see if there is anything on your end that you can do to make the process easier. For instance, if you are deaf and require an interpreter, mention that to the employer and recommend agencies they can use to get an interpreter. If you are going to disclose a disability, showing that you know your limitations and have already figured out work arounds will prove to employers you can do the job.
Interview Questions:
Firstly, know your rights. Under Canadian law, employers cannot ask if you have a disability. They can ask if there are any reasons for you to be unable to fulfil the job duties. If the employer does ask a question that does not abide by the law, you have a few ways of dealing with it. You can answer the question or you can decline to answer the question. Though there is a 3rd option, answer the question behind the question. Deep down they just want to know that you are able to complete all of the job requirements. For example if they ask “please describe your disability” a possible answer is “Well how about we go through all job duties and I can explain how I have the experience to get each of them completed”. You want to make sure you turn each one of their questions into an opportunity to showcase your best self.
Turn The Disability Into An Asset:
I know this sounds impossible but having a mental or physical disability can be turned into a selling point. You increase diversity! There are so many advantages for a company to have a diverse team. Improves company image and signals to the world this is a company that does not discriminate. Allows the company to attract other qualified individuals who also have disabilities. This is a market of people that goes largely unnoticed and could be a gold mine of talent for a company. Having a diverse team in a company allows new perspectives to help better design new products and services.
Be Confident:
This might be the hardest part. You need to believe that you can do the job. If you don’t believe you deserve the job then how are you going to prove it to someone else. Remember you got called for an interview. Multiple people applied to this job and were cut, but not you. That means someone in that company looked at your application and said I think this person has the right stuff, let’s bring them in to find out.