If you’re a job seeker with a disability, one of the most difficult decisions is when or whether to disclose your circumstance. The reality is that there’s no across-the-board right or wrong answer. In fact, whether or not to disclose a disability hinges on a variety of variables. When deciding, it’s wise to consider the nature of the disability, the job duties of the position being applied for, and the personality of the hiring manager.
Disclosing on Your Resume
Most experts suggest that you not disclose your disability on a resume, because the reality is that it may hurt your chances for getting an interview. An exception would be if you believed that your disability might help you, for example if you knew the company in question was actively recruiting employees with disabilities or you were applying for disability- related work.
Disclosing Prior to the Interview
If you have a disability that will require special accommodations during an interview, it’s important to provide that information to the hiring manager before arriving. This way your potential employer can make the necessary arrangements, ensuring that accessibility issues don’t inhibit the interview and hurt your chance of getting the job.
Disclosing During the Interview
Some disabilities, for example being in a wheelchair, are easily observed. However, other disabilities such as cognitive or physical impairments are “invisible,” and can be disclosed or not during the interview. Because negative stereotypes still exist, experts suggest caution when disclosing disabilities such as mental illness, dyslexia, HIV, and hepatitis C. A good rule of thumb is that if there’s no vital need for the employer to know, there’s no need for you to tell him or her.
Also, remember that the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) makes it illegal for employers to ask whether or not you have a disability during the hiring process. If asked, you may want to diplomatically remind the hiring manager of this
How to Talk About Your Disability with a Potential Employer
If you decide to disclose your disability, it’s likely that your employer will ask you questions about it. When asked, don’t dwell on your disability or make unnecessary excuses about it. Instead, be proactive: be prepared to answer any questions about how you’ll handle the negative effects of your disability in a workplace setting, and be confident when doing so. If you’re nervous about speaking about your disability, practice your answers with a friend or loved one.
To keep in mind: if you’re forthright and confident, you should be able to mitigate any negative perceptions a potential employer might have about your disability. This will then give you the opportunity to explain just how valuable your skills, enthusiasm, work ethic, and reliability will be to your new company.
