Questions to Ask During Interviews | Disabled Person
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Controlling Your Hiring Process: Questions to Ask During Interviews
You are facing an uphill battle. 19.1% of Americans with disabilities were employed in 2021, compared to 63.7% of Americans without disabilities.
One reason why is the hiring process. Companies may be hesitant to hire people with disabilities. This is the reason why many ask the question "Do I disclose my disability during the interview process" or "When do I disclose my disability during the interview process?"
But you can find a good job. The key is to ask the interviewer questions that establish you as a seasoned professional and let you learn about the company.
What are the best questions you should ask? How can you see if you are a good culture fit? What are some red flags you should be mindful of?
Answer these questions and you can make your job search a lot easier. Here is your quick guide.
Assess Your Duties
Your job interview is your best chance to understand what exactly your job is about. The description for the position should give you a basic sense of what your position is like. But if anything in the description is vague, you should ask about it.
You should also ask, "What is the typical work week like?" It is okay if your responsibilities vary a little, but your position should have consistent duties throughout the year.
Your interviewer's answer should reflect the material in the position's description. If they describe a position that you did not apply for, decide if you should not continue in the interview process.
If you have difficulty with mobility, you should ask, "How much travel is expected?" If you are expected to travel multiple times a week or month, you should then ask about resources that the company can give you for travel. You can also ask about relocating for work.
Understand Your Career Path
Asking questions about promotions and career paths implies that you are interested in staying with the company long-term. It also suggests that you are a committed and hard-working employee.
"How can I advance in the company?" is a good question to ask. If you want more specific answers from your interviewer, you can also ask, "Can you give me examples of a career path starting with this position?"
This lets you understand in precise detail how people have progressed through the company. If you are offered the position you may want to ask for the names of some employees so that you can then contact them to ask about the company culture and see if the interviewer's answers are accurate.
"Why is this job available?" can lead to telling answers. If the previous employee quit, you may want to reconsider your application. You should also assess if the previous employee was laid off and then ask "Why?" If the reason was company finances, that could be a red flag.
"How has this job evolved?" is another telling question. If your position has not evolved, you may be applying for a dead-end job.
Learn About the Office Structure
You should understand who your boss is and how your performance will be assessed. You should always ask, "Who would I report to at work?" Feel free to ask if you can meet with them before you decide to accept the position.
You should also ask, "What is your company's management style, and how would my performance be assessed?" This is very important if you are working a remote job, as many companies struggle to assess remote employees.
You can ask questions about the layout of the office itself, especially if you have mobility difficulties. If you need accommodations to remain comfortable in the office, you may want to talk to your interviewer about them.
The job description should provide a few details about orientation and training for new employees. If it doesn't, ask a question about it.
Evaluate the Company Culture
Before you do your job interview, you should do some research about the company culture. Go on Glassdoor and read reviews from former employees about the company. Try to get details about the company treats employees with disabilities of all kinds.
You can ask directly, "How does your company adapt its positions for employees with disabilities?" The interviewer should give clear answers and name strategies like offering paid time off for therapy and wellness.
You can also ask, "What is the best part of being at your company?" Your interviewer should talk about how satisfying the work is and how kind the other employees are. Perks are fine, but don't let perks alone sway your decision to accept a position.
If you have a good rapport with your interviewer, you can ask, "What's your least favorite part about working for your company?" The work-life balance should never be an issue.
Put Yourself in a Good Position to Get the Job
As your last question, you should ask at least one question about the application itself. "Would you like me to clarify anything about my suitability for this position?" lets your interviewer ask any questions on their mind about your qualifications. "Is there anything else you would like me to provide?" lets you offer a writing sample or a list of references.
Navigate Through the Hiring Process
Asking questions lets you take control of the hiring process. Start with a question about your typical duties. A vague answer or a response that is inconsistent with the job description is a major red flag.
You can then ask about your potential career path and the structure of the company. It should support you and give you opportunities to rise through the ranks. You may ask about the company culture as well.
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