Skip to Content

Support for Students and Graduates with Disabilities - Interviews

The Interview

The interview can be a daunting and nerve racking experience process for which the Careers and Employment department on your campus can be of assistance. There are a number of issues that relate more specifically to the situation of graduates with disabilities and medical conditions. The following are some points that may be relevant for you.

Presentation at the Interview

The first five minutes of the interview are the most important where appearance plays a crucial role in the impression that the job applicant makes on the employer. Below are some special considerations that might be relevant for your situation.

Students with a vision impairment or blindness

  • Persons with vision impairments or blindness can ask another person to check their clothing for appropriateness before going to an interview.
  • It is helpful to develop a code for marking clothing on the inside with small pieces of velcro cut in various shapes. This touch system lets the dresser know which piece of clothing they have selected to wear.
  • Be aware of your bodily movement in the interview situation and maintain an open and comfortable posture towards the members of the interview panel.

Applicants who use wheelchairs

  • Wheelchair users may require special alterations in their clothes to achieve a neat seated appearance. Buying clothes and getting necessary alterations takes time. It is important to plan ahead to be ready for the job interview.
  • A clean, well maintained wheelchair is important in the job interview and in the workplace.

Body Language

Non-verbal communication such as body language can convey a message to the employer that can say you are alert, interested, enthusiastic, and self-confident. Achieving positive nonverbal communication requires practice. By studying the following guidelines, you can improve your non-verbal behaviour.

Wheelchair users and people with poor hand strength

  • Sit in front of a mirror and speak to yourself. Notice your typical posture and what your best posture might be. It is usually best to sit as straight as possible with your arms and hands held as naturally as you can in a relaxed position.
  • Ask yourself an interview question that you might find stressful or difficult to answer and watch for any nervous habits or inappropriate movements. Ask a friend to critique your posture and eye contact and give you constructive feedback.
  • Make yourself aware of habits that are distracting to the interviewer (leaning to one side of the chair, unnecessary hand gestures, yawning, leaning your head on your hand).
  • Spend time on getting advice from others on your appearance (make-up, haircut, hairstyle, manicure).
  • Don't be shy about shaking hands with people even if you have poor hand or arm strength. Ask a friend for feedback on your handshake. If you cannot shake hands, prepare what you might say, for example, "I can't shake your hand, but I am very pleased to meet you".
  • Practise your eye contact. Remember in an interview you will want to use direct eye contact about 50% of the time. When not using eye contact, simply look down or slightly to the side. Avoid letting your gaze dart around the room or up at the ceiling.

Job seekers who have a vision impairment or blindnes

  • Recognise that eye contact is an important aspect of attentiveness for people who are sighted.
  • Ask a business acquaintance to permit you to practice your interview skills and nonverbal behaviour and provide you with feedback. Extend your arm to encourage the interviewer to shake your hand. Ask for feedback from sighted others about your nonverbal behaviour (rocking motions, nervous hand movements, head turned down or up).
  • If you find it difficult to maintain eye contact, make a brief statement to the interviewer: "I have a hard time focusing my eyes on you, but I am certainly listening."
  • Practise keeping your hands resting in your lap or on the arms of the chair. If you use a cane, fold it quietly away or place it by your side but do not be tempted to handle it during the interview. Interviewers who are sighted may find this distracting. It may also indicate you are nervous when you ought to appear self-confident.

Job seekers with a hearing impairment or deafness

  • Pay attention to your facial expressions: warm smile, alert and positive eye-contact.
  • If you read lips, prepare your script and practise delivering it in a positive casual manner: "I hope you won't mind speaking a little more slowly and looking at me. That helps me to understand exactly what you're saying".

Some Common Interview Questions to Expect

  • How do you think your disability/medical condition will impact on your work?
  • What impact did your disability/medical condition have in your previous employment?
  • In what ways did your disability/medical condition cause you problems during your studies?
  • How have you managed to overcome the difficulties you face because of your disability/medical condition?
  • How will you be able to do the job if you are (insert appropriate disability or medical condition)?
  • Is there anything you want to tell us about your disability/medical condition?