Job Interviews as a Crip
Sorry I've not updated in a while; my monitor broke and my boyfriend's keyboard is a horible 'ergonomic' one. Which means for people like me, who touch type, I have to learn how to type all over again on this keyboard!
So anyway... I have a job interview tomorrow.
I'm rather nervous about it; I'm always nervous when it comes to interviews, I guess that's standard.
The worst thing, though, is that my brain fog has been getting a lot worse recently, and I've not been sleeping well at all. I'm worried that I'll get there and just not be able to think. So I won't be able to answer any of their questions, and I'll look stupid.
I'm currently preparing for the interview, a thing I've never done before, but I realised I should when the recruitment agent said she'd give me time to prepare and ring me this evening at 7 to go over some things with me.
This has made me even more nervous!
Is she going to effectively interview me as well?
So, I'm working on preparation stuff.
I'm never really sure what to say about myself in an interview anyway. This is because I'm never sure what to say about myself at any time. I don't like talking about myself.
There are gaps in my work history, though they're mostly explained by my Dad nearly dying repeatedly and my looking after him.
I'm really worried about talking about why I left my last proper technical job. I left because they fired me because they couldn't cope with my disability.
Yes, I was fired because I'm disabled.
And yes, it was legal, because I was in my probation period.
They kept me until they had to thikn about taking me off probation. I did a hell of a lot of work for them, a lot of good work that wasn't really in my job remit. And then they dumped me.
You might be able to tell I'm a bit bitter about it. I don't know how to explain it to a company without sounding bitter. People always say you shouldn't sound negative about an ex company in an interview, but what could possibly be positive about that?
*sigh*
I asked a while ago, on Ouch!, about interview accessibility for memory problems and brain fog.
It was suggested that I explain that I have fuzzy days and my memory isn't perfect, and so I tend to have reference books when I'm working on stuff.
I think I'll try that tomorrow.
I'm just worried that they'll not want to hire me because I can't remember things properly anymore.
I'm worried now!
posted by Buddhist Cripple @ 1:17 pm
3 Comments:
Sit down and think about things you need to mention when talking about yourself and put them in a list - that way when you're talking, you can glance at the list and add in the things you may not have already mentioned.
As for not sounding bitter about being fired for being disabled: I think anyone would understand perfectly why you are bitter. The "not being negative about an ex-company" rule only really applies to places you parted from amicably - but if you left them then be positive, but if they got rid of you unfairly then stuff 'em. Maybe you could say you pity them for being so narrow minded and effectively burying their head in the sand rather than try and deal with your disability?
Good luck!
Yes, I get lots of advice on, don't be negative about you're disability and the gaps in work history. Well, I've never done any paid work so, you know, there'll be large enough gaps as it is. I don't know what the answer is to these job interviews. I tend to blag it if, I'm in a difficult situation and, having to positive about doing a job with a disability. I don't know, I'm starting not to care now to be honest. It's getting a bit tidious all this job applying. Roll on December!
Anyway, what I would suggest is, taking some time to think about what questions they'll ask you. What you thik they might ask. You wont' get this exacdtly right, I can't . I think its a stupid suggeston by these job brokers . I suppose it gets us thinking what could be facing at each interview.. Think of the questions you wanna ask. They keep asking us questions, about ourselves and all, its irrtiating, I hate that. So, ask them a few, it's pay back time LOL.
Oh, I'm a bit pissed of with job searching. The only fun thing about it is job club every other friday.
Hi, good luck with the interview.
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