Blindness: How to Interview for a Job with a Disability

[@outofsight3031]

I am also blind, I am a vocational counselor for in addictions treatment program and do a lot of groups 15 or more and each, I find talking to them about my blindness helps to make everyone feel more comfortable. I think you gave very good advice, and absolutely, communication is key, thank you for your video

[@lyndseymeagenwalker3057]

I LOVE that your experience with this speeding ticket has now become an amazing example for Paul, myself and others. 👍🏼

[@DonGeorgevich]

Glad you like that one

[@blueseanomad7435]

I got a job today using some of the technics from your videos, thanks a million!

[@DonGeorgevich]

Congratulations, that’s great news

[@perlaramos8783]

This has to be the best video I've seen you post!

[@DonGeorgevich]

So glad to help you and I hope you get a

[@allthingslifestylekindness5135]

Thank you for being so respectful. I have a physical disability. I am interviewing this week for a job in a bank. I've always went into interviews with some apprehension and hesitation. I know I can do the job but I'm interviewing for. Your videos I really helped my confidence level. I've done a lot of volunteer work over the years which is an asset. I've raised my children. And now it's time for me to take the world on. Thank you for your videos.

[@Sconstable]

I am completely blind in one eye. I let people know up front. I tell the recruiter that does the initial screening, if I know I’m going onsite for a f2f interview. My blind eye doesn’t track like the other, it “goes for a walk” from time to time and I don’t want people to be uncomfortable or perceive me as not being focused on our conversation. When I do this, it evens the playing field. It puts them at ease and then my eye contact doesn’t become an issue. I have always taken my disability on the chin. I’m really comfortable with my blindness and want other people to be comfortable around me. Suddenly, I am not the disabled candidate, I’m the best candidate because I’m confident and controlled.

[@jefferydouglas6450]

Thank you, Don. You are the BEST!!!

[@DonGeorgevich]

Many

[@JeanetteSalvatierraTV]

Very good advice. I lost my eyesight as an adult and learn that I can behave like a sighted person by pointing my head always towards the direction the voice is coming. Usually the mouth is at the same distance from the eyes of a person, then you can look like you are making eye contact just by facing the person in the right way. Takes practice but it's doable. Behaving in a confident way is key, speaking naturally and always try to smile or have a pleasant face. Practice with family or close friends. If you feel confident you will look confident and get the job done! Thanks Dan for sharing your thoughts on this subject.

[@TimoteoDeBaum]

I wear hearing aids and was always self conscious that ppl judge my abilities and even my intelligence due to them. I find myself overcompensating in socializing/interacting and exceeding expectations to make sure I’m fairly compared to other candidates. My first ever interview I never brought it up out of embarrassment but still got the job. However, now I speak straight and am upfront about it and make it clear how it doesn’t hinder my performance and in fact allows me to be detail oriented and always strive to have clear expectations in workflow. Be confident and mention your disability before they do. Not in defense but in confidence. Good luck friends 😊

[@silviaeiland6559]

Thanks Mr. G. I watch and show your videos in class. They love your video and knowledge.We all have learned soooo much . Keep up the great work.

[@시각장애너무해박사심]

Thank you, I am blind from birth. I am Korean and I live in South Korea. I was introduced to this video by my husband and watched it well from the beginning to the end. With the help of my husband, I leave this short comment. Both of us have poor English skills, so we use Google Translator to write this article. Thank you for your lecture. I will come again. ^^

[@DonGeorgevich]

You're welcome 😊

[@barbieskates540]

I have been around several blind people and the ones I am most comfortable around were the ones who ACT like SIGHTED people. They turned their face to where the other persons face would be. Their facial expressions were natural like sighted people make. Many blind people have odd facial expressions that make others extremely uncomfortable. Its so important to find people who are willing to teach you cultural norms for where you live. Its worth it to learn the body language of others. Body language and facial expressions are major important. Sighted people hold each other to very high standards in this. Everyone is required to learn this. Its just how the world is.

[@alaabarka]

Hello Don, I had a second interview today And I used one of the questions I quote from you ( what are the biggest challenges facing the department right now ) And when I asked this question at the end of the interview The person started by reading the job description fully And it took about a minute And this person is my manager if I accepted for the job When he finished he asked me, "Do you have another question?" I told him, "No thanks." the interview was long and I said everything i know, and also the interview was on the phone

[@HollyLeeCoaching]

I recently have a few professionals asking me about the best strategies for disability interview; will send them to your channel!

[@DonGeorgevich]

many thanks

[@keith2o9]

Any tips and tricks for those trying to land a job during this pandemic? Please do a video about it, if you can.

[@DonGeorgevich]

Just get out there and look for jobs and interview like crazy. Something will come your way

[@Kameronkonalives]

I am part deaf (100% in one ear and roughly 50% in the other) I can communicate well unless masks are invoked...which can be challenging sometimes. Should I disclose I am part deaf and how I don’t let those challenges effect me? Or should I not disclose it and let them see I am capable like everyone else?

[@jasongreen809]

While I appreciate the vast majority of what you have said here, I got distracted by this one statement. “It’s your job to make them comfortable…” and proceeded to say how to appear more like a sighted person in order to get a job. Hmm. So how am I supposed to appear like I don’t wear leg braces or don’t need accommodations? I’ll be honest I didn’t hear much after that. I agree that you are there wanting something no matter who you are or if you’re disabled or not, and that to a certain extent you have to do and be what they want you to in order to get the job, however, making anyone more comfortable with my disability or disability in general is not my job or the job I am interviewing for.

[@themadpaintress3255]

I agree. That statement bothered me and is ableist.

[@Khadjs1804]

I have a gap in my resume for quite sometime due to long term disability. How can I answer properly about the gap?

[@blissypastell8304]

Any tips for someone who has major social anxiety? Cuz conversation with complete strangers isn’t second nature for everyone, sometimes it just makes certain people stressed out not everyone is great at “taking control” of the interview unfortunately. But I still want and need the job. Even if im not great at confident conversation

[@v.v.5329]

Do you maybe have any tips for people with autism/ADHD? (Yes, I have both.) The tips you're giving in this video are great, but body language, facial expression and tone of voice are the weaknesses of people like me. I do have many strengths, but most people don't look past my disabilities. In my case I do need to bring it up, because I'll always need some accomodations for it. What else can I try to show people that I am in fact capable to do the job? Thanks in advance. Love your videos!

[@johnl4309]

Bingo-- this resource is so sorely needed by millions; can you please make a video for this?

[@DonGeorgevich]

At this time, I don’t have anything specific for ADHD

[@v.v.5329]

@@DonGeorgevich if you're interested, I'm happy to tell you a bit about the struggles I've personally experienced. Maybe an expert like you would know how to make people with a social disorder look presentable in an interview. If you have the time of course.

[@patrickkeating1075]

Speaking as a worker who has Autism Spectrum Disorder, it is difficult to define the specific needs for people on the spectrum to succeed in securing employment as no two people with autism are the same. As for ADHD, I would seek help from a doctor or mental health professional to treat it if it is at all possible. You want to prove to your prospective employers that you are capable of performing your potential role effectively. Do not forget to sell your strengths and advertise yourself as the best version of you. Also, you are not purely defined by your health disorders. Best of luck in your job search!

[@themadpaintress3255]

I'm autistic with ADHD. I find that I struggle with making too much eye contact and not knowing when to look away. In interviews one thing that has helped me is to look up general interview questions and write down my answers to a number of thrm and practice reading through those answers a number of times before thr interview. I put those answers into a padfolio along eith my resume and questions I have for the interviewer as well as any additional notes about my skills and resume and I refer to it during the interview and write notes in there. Otherwise I may completely blank on questions. I have to have that guide in front of me because in the moment I can't process questions well. But I can look at my list of answers and pick the one that best fits the question. STAR format interview questions are good ones to look up and make answers for.

[@TheDotsBrain]

This was awesome!!! Thanks!!!

[@DonGeorgevich]

Glad you liked it!

[@Elso310]

excellent content

[@msj6324]

My voice is in impaired, it knocks me out the box with csr call ctr position, I have to repeat when I talk, from a previous procedure need ongoin care, so how can u when your voice scretchies or froggy like! I want to take their distraction off my disability and want the job in my experience profession which is Admin job! How do you do that? 🙄🤷 Thank you for your time.

[@Bethh3890]

Thank you!

[@DonGeorgevich]

You're welcome!

[@cgessner2004]

Not just if you're blind also when you have one leg off or you're reliant on a wheelchair . This is a heavy life and looking for a good job a nightmare. Inclusion doesn't work everywhere..

[@papachoudhary5482]

Thanks

[@DonGeorgevich]

Glad to help

[@souvik93]

Nice...

[@DonGeorgevich]

So glad you like it

[@saskiamuller1267]

Thanks Don! Any advice for autistic people?

[@mikemills9111]

Nice

[@DonGeorgevich]

Glad you like it

[@pagrant]

I have dyspraxia

[@akhilp9330]

Halo sir in india akhil Sir help you job Disability inta lachal disability Help you sir usa or uk Help you