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December 12, 2007
Show How You Can Make Life Easier for Your Prospective Boss
James J. Elekes has just completed a five-year term as a Presidential Appointee/Public Member of the U.S. Access Board in Washington D.C. As a result, he's now officially in a "job search" mode, and he recently wrote about this experience:
"Bright and early this morning, I had a breakfast interview with a senior executive of a major public sector organization. We had a good interview.
"However, afterward, my thoughts were focused on one component of our conversation, specifically the question, 'How do your goals for this position match mine as the executive officer of this organization?'
"Having done extensive research on this individual, here's what ran through my mind before I spoke:
"'I'm being interviewed by my prospective boss. Do his goals make sense and are they compatible with mine? Is the task I'm signing up for something I'll enjoy doing, and will I be successful at it?'
"Following my response, my prospective new boss asked, 'Do you have any questions for me?'
"I responded, 'Yes,' and asked my potential boss the following:
"'What are your goals for this position?'
"'At the end of my first year, when we sit down for my review, how do I get a 'gold star'?'
"'How do I succeed in this job and make you happy that you hired me?'
"While some may think my approach 'inappropriate,' I believe the interview wasn't about me. It was all about being an asset to my prospective boss. Because, remember, as wonderful and talented a human being as I may be, my future boss is hiring me for a selfish reason: to make his life easier.
"I think those of us within the disability community need to consider this. Interviews aren't about demonstrating our 'assistive technology," speaking of 'accommodations,' etc. It's about making the prospective boss comfortable with us based on our knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and what we can do to make their jobs easier than they are now.
"I wouldn't have been sitting with this individual unless he was comfortable with me as a blind individual, had some reasonable certainty I can get the job done and, had the possibility of being a critical component in achieving his goals for the organization.
"He didn't inquire about AT, and, based on his level in the organization, it was clear from our face-to-face conversation and my extensive research, I didn't need to bring the topic-up unless he posed questions about it.
"I believe it is critical to remember that, it's the KSA's, efficiency and value you will add to his organization that gets you the position -- not the ability to demonstrate AT or how you perceive your disability."
What's your reaction to James' experience and to his thoughts about it?
Add your comments to this posting
Posted by Nancy O'Connell at December 12, 2007 11:21 AM
Comments
While I think James had excellent questions for his potential boss, I would still have asked if he had any questions about how I go about doing my work at the very end of the interview.
James is correct in assuming that his prospective boss is reasonably comfortable with the possibility of working with a blind person, but he still may have had questions or curiosities that should ideally be aired during the interview. He may for example know about screen reading software and public transportation issues, but could be assuming that traveling internationally is a major hassle for the blind and something he should not require too often from a blind employee.
A quick question like that can also make it clear that blindness, as it relates to the job, is a subject that one is comfortable talking about.
I have had the privilege of working with truly enlightened individuals, but even they hesitated when they had to give me an assignment that took me to six countries in three weeks. So it is wise to ask an open-ended question towards the end of the interview just in case.
Requirements in demanding jobs can be quite varied and no one will know everything about our capabilities unless they have worked with us for many years. This is especially true since capabilities can vary so much from person to person, even between those with the same disability.
Good luck!
Fernando
Posted by: Fernando Botelho at December 12, 2007 01:55 PM
I really liked the questions about what the employer is looking for. I am shortly to be interviewed for a 12 month secondment so found these timely -- I intend using them! I also agree however that it is wise to ask whether the employer has any questions about my blindness and will ask this also.
Posted by: Pam MacNeill at December 12, 2007 03:04 PM
I thought his questions were terrific. I was in Corporate Human Resources for many years prior to becoming disabled, and I know those questions would have been excellent tools for both the employer and candidate to ensure a good match.
I have multiple disabilities, but blindness isn't one of them. Two of mine are invisible, and if I disclose them at all, it would be after the job offer. My main one is physical - I use a chair or canes. It would certainly be wise to ask a prospective employer if there are any questions about how I would get a job done, including travel.
Posted by: Lauri Sue Robertson at January 31, 2008 11:29 AM
Disclaimer: My AMD is recent. I have no experience in applying for a job with this impairment. An employer wants to know if an applicant has the background, training and experience to do what he is hired to do - and, will he do it. A disability or impairment is part of the "can he do it." Oliver
Posted by: Oliver at March 24, 2008 08:52 PM
Well, that IS strange. I was going thru all your pages and came across a comment from a fellow who writes with the style I use - and, low and behold, it was ME. Maybe I don't have to introducemyself. Since completng your course with Jim Hasse I took two courses with ed2GO: One in Creative Writing and the other in Grammar. Neither course made me proficient in those ubjects but did learn the structure of writing, and I now know how to use a stle book, dictionary and thesaurus And, I am now taking a course on the use of a digital camera. (I want to be able to add apropriate pictures to my writing) OK eSight. Here I am. I am looking for employment. What is my next step. Dr. Oliver A. Campbell
Posted by: Oliver at January 25, 2009 09:00 PM
Well, that IS strange. I was going thru all your pages and came across a comment from a fellow who writes with the style I use - and, low and behold, it was ME. Maybe I don't have to introducemyself. Since completng your course with Jim Hasse I took two courses with ed2GO: One in Creative Writing and the other in Grammar. Neither course made me proficient in those ubjects but did learn the structure of writing, and I now know how to use a stle book, dictionary and thesaurus And, I am now taking a course on the use of a digital camera. (I want to be able to add apropriate pictures to my writing) OK eSight. Here I am. I am looking for employment. What is my next step. Dr. Oliver A. Campbell
Posted by: Oliver at January 25, 2009 09:03 PM