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CAREER GUIDE 2016–2017
CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
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INTERVIEWING FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Should you disclose your disability? If so, when? Timing your
disclosure can be critical to whether or not you get a job offer.
DISABILITY ISSUES IN THE EMPLOYMENT
PROCESS:
•
Employers are not allowed to ask if you have a disability
on the job application. They may, however, ask if you can
perform the essential functions of the job.
•
Employers may not use tests that tend to screen out people
with disabilities. The tests must be proven to be job-related
and consistent with business necessity.
•
Employers must make sure that test administration is not
discriminatory.
•
Drug tests/medical examinations must be job-related and
are only allowed after a conditional job offer has been made.
SUGGESTIONS FOR PREPARING TO DISCLOSE:
•
Write out your disclosure statement and get feedback from
friends in the working world and career counselors.
•
Rehearse your statement until you feel comfortable.
•
When writing out your script, avoid being too detailed and/
or clinical sounding. The employer will want to know the
basics: will you be there, can you do the job as well or better
than other candidates, and will you be valuable to the
company?
•
Remember your script and stay positive. If you remain
positive, the employer will also. Focus on your skills rather
than your disability.
DISCLOSING DURING AN INTERVIEW:
Advantages: Honesty/peace of mind; opportunity to respond
briefly and positively, in person, to specific disability issues;
discrimination is less likely face-to-face.
Disadvantages: Puts responsibility on you to handle disability
issues in a clear, non-threatening way; too much emphasis
on the issue indicates a possible problem; you are not being
evaluated on your abilities.
Issues: How comfortable are you discussing your disability? Are
you too preoccupied with your disability? These are very difficult
questions, but ones that you can prepare to answer. Be prepared
to re-direct or re-focus the interviewer if he/she gets off track
with the interview.
TIPS FOR PREPARING FOR AN INTERVIEW:
•
Research the company and know the job description.
This will help you inform the employer as to what, if any,
accommodations you will need.
•
Become familiar with types of accommodations that are
available and the cost of each one.
•
Practice! Schedule one or more mock interviews with a
career counselor so you can become more comfortable with
the interviewing process. Mock interviews can also help you
prepare for types of questions that you might be asked.
•
Ask questions of working friends with disabilities to find out
how they prepared for interviews.
Be prepared to answer questions such as:
•
Will my insurance rates go up?
•
How would you be able to get out of the building in case of an
emergency, such as a fire?
•
How will you get to work?
•
This position deals with highly sensitive information. If you are hired,
your reader or interpreter will have access to confidential material.
•
I know you’ve said you can do the job, but in light of your disability, I
am having a hard time understanding how you would do it. Would you
mind showing me?
•
I do not know anything about making accommodations for a disability
such as yours. I would not know where to start.
DURING AN INTERVIEW:
•
Put the employer at ease by addressing any noticeable
disabilities.
•
Remain engaged in a discussion with the interviewer, rather
than just answer questions. Be prepared to re-focus the
employer if they get off-topic or sidetracked.
•
Inform the employer of any accommodations that you would
need and how they can be accessed.
•
Focus on the positive! Remember to sell your strengths!
ILLEGAL QUESTIONS:
The Americans with Disabilities Act
makes it illegal for
employers to ask the following questions:
•
Have you ever been treated for any diseases?
•
Has anyone in your family ever had any of the following
listed illnesses?
•
Have you ever been hospitalized? For what?
•
Have you ever been treated for a mental disorder?
•
Are you taking any medication?
•
Have you ever been treated for drug addiction or
alcoholism?
•
Do you have any major physical disabilities? If so, how did
your disability come about?
•
Have you ever filed for worker’s compensation benefits?
•
How many times were you absent from your previous job
because of illness?
•
Do you have any disabilities that would affect your
performance in the position for which you are applying?