Disability and job hunting: 5 top tips for success by Cai Cherry

Applying for any job can feel daunting, however when it’s starting a whole new career in a whole new profession, it can feel downright overwhelming, particularly with a disability. I’ve set out five top tips that can help you find an inclusive graduate placement, where you can focus on the job at hand rather than your accessibility.

1.Searching for disability-inclusive employers

Organisations like MyPlus work with companies to improve their recruitment processes for disability, and schemes like the Government’s Disability Confidence can give you an idea of how employers approach disability inclusion. However, the easiest way to find out about a company’s culture is by talking to disabled people. Ask about their experiences with their employer, or what their network knows. Ask about the reasonable adjustments process and find companies that view their disabled employees as assets. Some might have disability employee networks, and others might take part in events and forums that focus on disability.

2.Being open about your disability

Disclosure is a two-way street. If you don’t disclose your disability, you run the risk of not getting the adjustments you need and are entitled to. However, by being able to confidently tell recruiters and employers about your disability and reasonable adjustments, you can make the conversation a lot less awkward and ensure that the recruitment process supports you as much as possible. That way you can focus on the process, and not on your own discomfort.

3.Asking for adjustments

Many graduate schemes provide you with the opportunity to make requests for adjustments and support in the very first stage of the application process. Take this opportunity! Even if there is no explicit question, don’t be afraid to email the recruitment team directly and ask for their support, or what they can offer. Employers are often more than willing to give their applicants the adjustments they need to ensure that no one is disadvantaged by an easily fixable barrier. And don’t forget the talent and strengths that you bring as a disabled person; you’re not a burden, you’re an asset like everyone else!

4.Getting support in the office

So, you’ve completed the draining application process and have been lucky enough to be offered a job. What next? By speaking at the earliest opportunity to your line manager and to the relevant HR contacts, you can ensure that any adjustments you’ll need in the workplace can be made before your first day. Many onboarding processes ask you to provide this information anyway and given the length of time between the offer and starting work on many graduate placements, there is plenty of time to have these conversations.

5.Building a network

The most valuable thing about a workplace is the opportunity to meet other disabled people. Many large firms have internal and external disability people networks which provide both social, learning, and teaching opportunities, and play a productive role in the wider company community. If you are open about your experiences with disability, it encourages others to do the same, and you can help support each other. Particularly for graduates, for many of whom this will be their first ‘proper’ job, it’s more important than for most to meet and learn from colleagues about the hints, tips and hacks that can make daily working life a little easier.

At the MyPlus Annual Reception 2022, Cai was presented with The Best Disability Speaker / Advocate Award.