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Guaranteed Interview Scheme

Snuman

I am interested in hearing others' views on whether or not to declare one has a disability and then whether to tick the box on application forms that offer a guaranteed interview Scheme.  We always struggle when supporting our son to complete application forms, as we want him to have a fair chance, but equally don't want to raise his hopes by him being given an interview just because they have to and he meets the person specification criteria (which he regualry does) and then prospective employers not knowing how to manage his responses at interviews and deciding he wouldn't be suitable for the work.

I would love to see an alternative to the formal interview (and not just for people with Autism) perhaps where the candidate is asked to spend the day shadowing a range of people in the role, during which time the employers can ask pertinent questions of the candidate, but also allow them to judge the person in the capacity they would be working in.  Having spent many years doing formal interviews and the time they take up, I can't see that my idea would make the process any longer and would give a far truer picture of the candidate's skills and abilities. 

I look forward to others' thoughts and experiences on the application and intereview process.

Parents

  • Hi,

    hmm, this a tricky one.  From my own personal experience I would be inclined to say to your son not to declare autism.  I'm a 4o something woman who was diagnosed just over a year ago.  I have a mental illness which was diagnosed about 8 years ago.  I have a good work history and have worked in very specialist fields (theatre and museums), I found that with mI I got interviews and when offered jobs would have to see occupational health to check my wellbeing.  Since putting aspergers on application forms, no interviews, therefore no job offers.  I even went for an interview for a job at my old workplace that i'd practically been doing before moving elsewhere.  I got an interview but no job offer.  This was after declaring aspergers and for a large, public sector " disability friendly" institution.

    i feel like you are dammed if you do, dammed if you don't.  By not declaring a disability if you gave problems then I think you can be fired if they find out about it.  Certainly, they won't be able to instigate reasonable adjustments and he won't be covered by the dda.

    the caveat, for me is that I never had problems gaining employment prior to diagnosis but did struggle considerably once in post.  On short (3-6 month) contracts I could hide my problems but not so well on longer jobs.  A lot depended on the work environment and colleagues as to whether I would or would not have issues.  Frequently I could fulfil a contract with no problems but sometimes I would fall apart.

    with regard to interviews, I used some really good books on interview techniques and competency based interview skills.  i think competency based interviews could be beneficial for aspies because they enable you to take previous experiences and apply it to the job role.  I didn't get the concept at first but they are quite formulaic and answers could potentially be scripted.

Reply

  • Hi,

    hmm, this a tricky one.  From my own personal experience I would be inclined to say to your son not to declare autism.  I'm a 4o something woman who was diagnosed just over a year ago.  I have a mental illness which was diagnosed about 8 years ago.  I have a good work history and have worked in very specialist fields (theatre and museums), I found that with mI I got interviews and when offered jobs would have to see occupational health to check my wellbeing.  Since putting aspergers on application forms, no interviews, therefore no job offers.  I even went for an interview for a job at my old workplace that i'd practically been doing before moving elsewhere.  I got an interview but no job offer.  This was after declaring aspergers and for a large, public sector " disability friendly" institution.

    i feel like you are dammed if you do, dammed if you don't.  By not declaring a disability if you gave problems then I think you can be fired if they find out about it.  Certainly, they won't be able to instigate reasonable adjustments and he won't be covered by the dda.

    the caveat, for me is that I never had problems gaining employment prior to diagnosis but did struggle considerably once in post.  On short (3-6 month) contracts I could hide my problems but not so well on longer jobs.  A lot depended on the work environment and colleagues as to whether I would or would not have issues.  Frequently I could fulfil a contract with no problems but sometimes I would fall apart.

    with regard to interviews, I used some really good books on interview techniques and competency based interview skills.  i think competency based interviews could be beneficial for aspies because they enable you to take previous experiences and apply it to the job role.  I didn't get the concept at first but they are quite formulaic and answers could potentially be scripted.

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