Amanda Rose: When to disclose a disability in the hiring process

Business and careers expert Amanda Rose shares her advice for job seekers with a disability.

The only time a jobseeker should disclose their disability is if the employer needs to be able to cater for that.

Apart from this, why do we have to highlight disability?

It is not as though we have this perfect human that exists and everyone else is different.

We need to stop looking at things that make us different as a disability.

I need to go for jobs that fit who I am.

You need to go for jobs that fit who you are.

People without a disability might go for jobs based on a geographical area that suits them.

Just as a lawyer wouldn’t go for an accountant job, if you have got epilepsy, you wouldn’t work in a nightclub because of the flashing lights.

In a job interview, everyone should ask questions to make sure a workplace can tailor to them.

You don’t walk into a job interview and say “I am depressed, can I have a job?” but if there is something you cannot physically do, you need to let the employer know and give them the opportunity to find out if they are right fit or not.

However, if a disability is not going to impact the role, it doesn’t matter.

There are plenty of jobs in which a person’s disability is irrelevant. Picture: iStock

Equally, someone without a disability that can only work certain hours needs to let an employer know that.

If you get offered a job, make sure the employer can cater for whatever you need.

Is this the type of environment that will work for me?

If you have autism, you might turn up and decide ‘I don’t like it’.

But equally, I personally don’t like some places.

I don't have a disability, I just don’t like it.

It’s the same for everyone.

We have so many labels on people when we are just all individuals and need to find the right place that is the right fit – whatever that means for you.

Once in a role, a person with a disability may choose to disclose this to colleagues, but they also may not.

The best approach is for people to understand that everyone is different and to have empathy in general.

If you work with someone who has a physical disability and they are struggling, offer help.

Just as you would in the workplace if anyone is struggling with anything.

If we just treated everybody with respect, we wouldn’t have as many issues as we do.

Amanda Rose is a business consultant, workplace trainer, LinkedIn influencer and founder of six organisations – and now she is tackling your career questions for SMART Daily every week.

Got a question? Send it to [e-mail]

Originally published as Amanda Rose: When to disclose a disability in the hiring process