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Rowley · Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 12:06 am Post subject: Disabled person

Hello

I'm Roland and I'm new here.

First of all let me say thank you for an interesting forum.

Now onto my problem.

I am disabled but do not use a wheelchair or have any need for special equipment in the workplace. BUT I do have a need for some special considerations to be made. Nothing that would interfere with the general running of a company though.

I have been working with the same company for 14 years but am about to be made redundant. What I want to know is this. When I send my CV to places I might be able to get a job at, should I mention on it that I am disabled or will this go against me being able to get an interview?

If you could tell me what you think about this I'd be very glad to hear your opinions.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Roland

ResumeCoachDeb · Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 1:18 pm Post subject: Disabled Worker

Absolutley do NOT mention your disability on the resume. You are selling "YOU" for your talents and not announcing the fact that you have a disability. Get in their face and let them know your value to the organization !!

Resume Coach Deb

Rowley · Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 1:09 am Post subject:

I did send off my CV and mentioned that I have a disability because I was worried that if I didnt then employers might think that I'd been trying to trick them into giving me an interview and wasting their time.

I can always right another CV to send off to those I havnt contacted yet but first I would like to ask you why you say I shouldn't mention it. I understand you think I should 'get in their face' but dont you think that they would feel like I have tricked them?

I had an interview yesterday and the man who interviewed me did ask me why I wear a SOS wristband. I told him about my disability and how it can effect me and he seemed more interested in that than me and what I can do. Maybe he was just trying to make me feel comfortable, I dont know but it didnt feel right.

Thank you for replying.

Roland

ResumeCoachDeb · Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 1:16 am Post subject: Disability

Roland:

Employers conduct interviews to find out more about your talent and potential value to the organization, Roland. The disability should have nothing to do with it.

Resume Coach Deb

7days · Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 9:16 pm Post subject: Disability

Hello,

How nice to find someone honest and believe me, you are not alone in being disabled. I have found so many people on the internet for one reason or the other have some health issues, like I do, that are preventing them from doing a regular job onsite. I had some really great jobs, but most every one I lost due to some health issue. When I do send in resumes or fill out job applications, I don't mention anything about any disability as I can easily do the work that I applied for on the computer/internet at home. The recent job I applied for at a hospital started asking questions, and I had to tell them that I lost the job due to health reasons and they of course were concerned. I thought their being a hospital would and they were understanding and concerned, however, still did not get a job.

Camilla · Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2005 1:46 am Post subject:

Roland. I'd take Deb's advice and leave the disability out of your CV.

Your CV is for outlining your education and employment history, not your medical history. If an employer asks you to fill out an application where they ask for medical information then obviously you'll have to give it if you want any chance of being interviewed or accepted for a job.

If you need any kind of assistance in the workplace then obviously you'll need to mention this at the interview but otherwise, unless your problem causes you to take time off work (regular hospital appointments etc), then none of this needs to be mentioned at all.

I think you'll find that most employers are happy to employ people with disabilities, though. At least, those that are reputable and the others probably aren't worth working for anyway. I know I wouldn't want to work for a company who didn't treat people fairly.

If you go to your local Jobcentre Plus and look through the situations vacant, you'll probably only find employers who wouldn't refuse to employ a person simply because they have a handicap.

Good luck with your job search. I'm sure you'll find something you'll be happy with.

~Camilla

Rowley · Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 12:03 am Post subject:

I thought I would come on here and let you all know that I have been lucky enough to get some interviews that I've been to over the past week or so. Only one of the people who interviwed me has asked about my health so I told him about my disability and told him also that it does not mean I have to go for medical care more than once every six months and have never been in hospital because of it.

The interveiwer was very nice and kind about it but I dont think I will get the job because it wasnt really the right thing for me even though the advert in the job centre made it sound like it was.

I dont feel so depressed now because having the interviews has made me feel that I will be able to get another job or people would not have even bothered to speak to me.

Roland

cv · Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 7:21 am Post subject: good news

Rowley this is excellent news.

Please do keep us up to date with your job situations, and in case you have job search issues you would like to discuss post your questions here!

Carole · Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2005 1:45 am Post subject:

Good luck, Roland!

Remember that the right attitude makes a huge difference when you're job hunting so keep your 'pecker up' (so to speak).

Carole

ResumeCoachDeb · Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2005 10:42 am Post subject: Interview

Roland:

For some reason I don't see the post I made yesterday.

In any event ... CONGRATS !!

Chalk up the interview to experience. It helped you to know that you can go in there with a disability and prove your worth to a prospective employer.

While the job isn't what it was cracked up to be, you got your foot in the door. The interviews will get better and easier each time.

Best,
Deb

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