How to Disclose a Disability During a Job Search
Date: 11/4/2022 / Author: chovyIf you have a disability, the most important thing is to find a job that fits your needs. But if you choose not to disclose your disability during the hiring process, how can you make sure you're making the right decision? There's no one-size-fits-all answer here, but there are some things to think about before making any big decisions. If you don't feel like this is something that needs to be discussed in depth with an employer, then by all means don't bring it up! However, if this information could help or hinder your chances of getting hired—or if it might affect how much money they'll offer you—then it's worth considering whether or not discussing your disability is right for your situation.
Should I disclose my disability?
[How to decide whether to disclose a disability]
When deciding whether or not to disclose a disability, it's important to consider your unique situation and the job you're applying for. If your disability is visible or obvious, then most likely it is not necessary for you to mention it in your cover letter and resume. However, if the job has any of these characteristics:
- Is highly competitive
- Requires special skills (e.g., fluency in two languages)
- Is high-paying with good benefits
When should I disclose my disability?
It's important to understand that you don't have to disclose your disability at all. Some employers will ask about it, but many won't. If you're asked about it in an interview, then you should definitely disclose. But for example, if your disability is not obvious on sight and doesn't interfere with your work performance (for example, having asthma), then it's OK to wait until after you've landed the job offer before disclosing this information.
In addition, there are some good times during a job search when you should consider disclosing that you have a disability:
- During the interview process (if they ask)
- In your cover letter or resume
- During the job offer process
To whom should I disclose my disability?
The answer to this question depends on the type of job you want. If you are applying for a secretarial position, it's probably not necessary to disclose your disability. However, if you are applying for a more senior role that requires interaction with managers and clients or vendors on a frequent basis, it is important that they know about your disability as soon as possible so they can make any adjustments necessary to accommodate it.
Be sure that the disclosure is made in person so there isn't any confusion about what accommodations will be needed once hired.
How should I disclose my disability?
You should disclose your disability in a straightforward and honest manner. You should be clear about what accommodations you need, what your limitations are, and why it’s important for the employer to know about them.
Okay, so now that you know how to disclose your disability during a job search—how do you do it? Here are some tips:
- Be prepared! Know exactly what types of accommodations you need before going into an interview or meeting with someone from human resources. If possible, practice disclosing your disability so that when the time comes during an actual interview, it’ll be second nature for you to say what needs to be said without stumbling over words or feeling awkward about saying them aloud.
- Keep it brief. Don't try too hard to explain why having ADHD is really awesome because ADHD isn't really all that great (and chances are good no one will care). Instead focus on explaining things like whether or not any specific medications affect their ability to focus/work well with others/do anything at all without making mistakes every five seconds etcetera etcetera blah blah blah blah blah...
You don't have to discuss your disability during your job search, but there are advantages if you do.
While it's up to you whether or not to disclose your disability during a job search, there are some definite advantages. For example:
- Disclosing your disability may help you avoid discrimination. If an employer knows about a disability, they're less likely to discriminate against you because they'll know that any accommodation needed will be minimal.
- If you disclose your disability and then get the job, it's easier for both parties if everybody knows upfront what's going on. There's no guessing games or confusion over what kinds of accommodations are needed or how they should be handled.
- You'll have an easier time getting any necessary accommodations if the employer knows about them before hiring (even if it means just saying "I need X amount of time off" instead of having to wait until after being hired). This could mean fewer roadblocks in advancing at work once hired on full-time status - as well as more opportunities for promotion down the line!
Conclusion
If you're thinking about disclosing your disability during your job search, you've got a lot to think about. We hope this article has given you some helpful tips on how to do so effectively and ethically. Good luck!