Career Guide 17-18

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CAREER GUIDE 2017–2018
CLEMSON UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
/ClemsonCCPD
59 58
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?
ILLEGAL INQUIRIES
Are you a U.S. citizen?
Where were your parents born?
What is your native tongue?
Where were you born?
How old are you?
What is your date of birth?
What is your marital status?
How many children do you have? What
child care arrangements have you made?
With whom do you live?
Do you plan to have a family? When?
To what clubs or social organizations do
you belong?
Do you have any disabilities?
Have you had any past illnesses or
operations?
What was the date of your last physical
examination?
How is your family’s health?
General inquiries that would elicit
information about disabilities or health
conditions that do not relate to job
performance.
Have you ever been arrested?
What is your sex?
What is your height and weight?
If you have been in the military, were you
honorably discharged?
LEGAL INQUIRIES
What languages do you read, speak
or write fluently? (if related to the job)
Are you legally permitted to work in
the U.S.?
Are you over the age of 18?
(or whatever age is required to work in the
position for which you are interviewing)
Travel is an important part of this job.
Would you be able and willing to travel as
needed by the job?
Would you be willing to relocate if
necessary?
Would you be able and willing to work
overtime as necessary? (Appropriate if
asked of all applicants)
Do you belong to any professional or trade
groups or other organizations that you
consider relevant to your ability to perform
this job?
Based on the description of this position,
can you demonstrate or describe how you
would perform the following job related
functions?
Do you need accommodation to perform
this job? (This question can be asked after
a job offer has been made)
Are you willing to undergo a pre-
employment physical exam and/or drug
test? Do you understand that any offer
of employment is conditional based on
the results of a pre-employment exam
or drug test?
Have you ever been convicted of a crime?
Are you able to lift a 50-pound weight and
carry it 10 yards? (If that will be a part of
the job for which you are interviewing)
In what branch of the Armed Forces did
you serve?
What type of training or education did you
receive in the military?
GUIDE TO APPROPRIATE PRE-EMPLOYMENT QUESTIONS
SUBJECT
National Origin
Age
Marital and Family Status
Memberships
Disabilities
Arrest Record
Personal
Military