Job interviews - Cerebral Palsy Message Board

anxiouscpguy · 11-30-2007, 06:22 PM

How do you guys handle your CP in job interviews? I have one next week (I currently do have a full-time job but this one seems much better and in a cooler city about 5 hours away). Do you even tell the interviewer you have CP? When would you tell him/her? I have mild CP so she probably wouldn't notice right away. She would eventually notice though. But I don't want her to think I got drunk before the interview or something!

Robin4007 · 11-30-2007, 08:40 PM

I don't have a job, but I was always told you don't have to tell them about your disability. If you think you can do the job and its nothing beyond you capabilities then they have to give you an equal chance. If you tell them about your CP right off the bat it might freak them out and make them a little hesitant about hiring you, but if you just go in there and get through the interveiw part then that may make them feel more at ease. About them thinking your drunk, if they seem a little suspicious then you might want to explain. I hope this all made sense?? I once went on an interview and I got through the interview but the job wasn't what I thought, there were some physical things I had to do that I couldn't handle. The person who interviewed me handled it well they just said these are the requirements of the job, that's all they didn't seem uncomfortable about my disability!! Good Luck and let us know how you make out!!

Robin

JellyRJFan · 11-30-2007, 09:54 PM

Robin's right. You don't have to disclose, and in fact, I wouldn't. Especially not in the interview unless they bring up specific physical tasks you won't be able to do.
The way I've always handled it is, I don't just tell people, but if they start asking questions I try to be as straightforward with them as possible (which is hard because I have a very difficult time discussing CP).

KellyCz · 12-02-2007, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anxiouscpguy

I have mild CP so she probably wouldn't notice right away. She would eventually notice though. But I don't want her to think I got drunk before the interview or something!

Hi, I have mild spastic right hemiplegia. I don't have much experience with job interviews as I am on disability, but have held a few jobs in the past. I agree you should tell them, they will be happier if you are up front with them. With me, I have always told the interviewer, as you can tell something is different about me, but without knowing what, can't specifically pick out what it is. Is that kind of how your situation is? It sounds like it. It is also important to let them know if you think your CP will interfere in any way with the job duties once you know what they specifically are. They might be able to make accommodations for you in that area. Good luck.

Kelly

CortneyMarie · 12-02-2007, 05:50 PM

I walk with crutches so there is no way that interviewers wouldnt know something was up, but I have never brought it up in an interview. Maybe I should, but I have never thought it necessary, unless the job has aspects I could not do. I think its totally a personal preference how you handle it. Good luck!