Interview + skin - would you flag it?

[Terrifyingface]

NC for this as I overshare on here and don’t want my boss to work it out 😂 but a regular poster.

I have an interview for a job next week. New company. Good next step. I don’t want to screw it up.

Unfortunately I’m also expediting a severe flare up of a skin condition, and unhelpfully it’s on my face. When I have this flare up I’m not allowed to wear foundation (not that I’d want to because it just pills and looks awful) so there’s no way of hiding it. So I’ll be attending make up free (which is not great anyway) but I’ll have a very visible red rash on my face. I am getting treatment and either way it does go away in due course, but it’s not going to fix it before the interview.

I’ve sort of made my peace with it until now - I’m old enough not to give a fig about strangers looking, and I’ve been open with friends and colleagues who understand - but I’m not sure how to play this one.

Potential new job have asked me to let them know of anything health or disability related ahead of the interview that would help me when interviewing. I know a skin condition isn’t a disability per se but it definitely impacts the image I’m projecting and I know they won’t take the same first impression that they would have done if I wasn’t having a flare.

I think my options are:

1. Email back and very briefly and matter of factly just let them know I have a non-contagious facial rash as a result of a pre existing condition (really just as a heads up) and that I’m looking forward to our meeting

2. Raise it very briefly in the interview - ‘oh just to say I have X, that’s what causing my face rash’.

3. Ignore it completely.

The pro with 1 is that it’s out there and dealt with, no risk of awkwardness in the room. But is it weird to flag that up? Would it be weird to effectively email to say ‘excuse my face’ 😂?

I’m not a fan of 2, it’s more informal than 1 but the risk is that the atmosphere goes a bit weird (either due to me fumbling the explanation or them not knowing what to say). Also risks putting me off my game for the interview proper!

I’m happy to do 3, but I feel like it would be a bit of an elephant in the room and I also don’t want them to think I’m looking like this out of choice or because I just CBA. I also don’t want them worrying I’m contagious!

WWYD? If enough people think it’s odd to email about it in advance I will resist!

Think I would personally go with option 1 - mainly from the contagious angle. Just so it's absolutely clear that there is nothing infectious going on!

I'm not sure I'd give it a second thought as an interviewer TBH. Unless I was recruiting for a face model I guess (unlikely).

I understand it's a big issue to you, but the panel will be much more interested in what you have to say than a rash.

I'd do 2) but just make a joke out of it - 'just wanted to say that my red face is just a rash, didn't want you to be sitting here worrying you'd catch something!'. Hopefully then you'll all have a quick laugh etc and move on.

Firstly I’m sorry you’re experiencing this and I hope the treatment works for you swiftly! I do admire your attitude towards it, I suffer terribly with impetigo when I’m run down and I don’t want to leave the house, but of course I do.

I think I’d go with option 1 as they have asked, and I don’t think potential employers have to ask interviewees this by law, perhaps for disability / accessibility but not health. Then you can concentrate on your interview prep knowing that the interview is going to be the only conversation you are going to have with them. You aren’t saying ‘excuse my face’ per se, I know you’re not asking for any adjustments to the interview process (which is what their email is getting at) but I think you’re clarifying what they might be thinking about.

I hope all goes well for you!

1
Gets it out of the way. I'd describe it as you have here, as a temporary non-contagious flare up. Ignore it completely in the meeting itself.

As an interviewer I'd appreciate 1. Interviewing can be quite hard too and interviewers can be nervous and not want to do the 'wrong' thing!

if you pre-advise then it is something noted, not a surprise, and then you and the interviewers are aware and can move on with the actual interview. You won't be wondering if they will bring it up.

Go with 2, or don't even mention it, anyone that judges you for your face isn't an employer you want to work for anyway particularly if you have flare ups.

The only time I might go route 1 is if the post relied on my face but other than model I'm struggling to think of careers where that applies

My gut says one, then you can dismiss it as a factor to consider on top of doing an interview. Good luck!

Go with 1, but as a pp said above, say it's a temporary flare-up.

I’d go with option 1 , it gets it covered so you don’t waste precious interview time on it , and neither you or the interviewer are looking for the right thing to say when you should be concentrating on the interview .

I'd say one, so you can then forget all about it - you don't want to go into the interview with it taking up space in your mind!

I think 1 and 2 are best, but keep it breezy and non-chalant. Have something to say right after that's not related to the rash prepared so everyone can change the subject!

I like this approach. You also dont know if one of the interview panel might be immuno-compromised or pregnant etc and it will take away any worries that it could be contagious before you have chance to raise option 2 in the interview itself and make clear that it isnt contagious.

Def option 1. Purely because you'll go into the interview feeling more relaxed once its out the way. Good luck x

1 and add temporary

Would they offer by zoom? just to take the focus down a bit

I went to an interview with a black eye once (I tripped over a road sign that had been left on the pavement and smacked my face on it).

I just mentioned up straight away when I went in to the interview.

Option 1. You've acknowledged it, explained it's non-contagious and now you can all move on with the interview without worrying about the elephant in the room.

Option One. As PP's have said, just get it dealt with and off your mind.

I interviewed someone once who had both arms in plaster following a car accident. They emailed to let us know which was very much appreciated because it didn't take us aback when they came in and avoided any awkwardness around whether we should/not ask about it.

Option 1, but I'd take out the 'because of a pre-existing condition' - sounds a bit serious.

I'd keep it bright & breezy 'just to let you know that unfortunately I've had an allergic reaction on my face (or similar) it's absolutely not contagious, I have some treatment and hopefully it'll clear up very soon.'

Option 1, thank them for email, say you require no adaptations but you do have a skin condition which isn't contagious and flares up sometimes. You are currently having a flare up, won't affect your ability to interview but you will have a visible red rash on your face.

This.

Also to add in case helpful - if your skin condition is severe enough that it would be classed as a facial disfigurement then it is automatically covered by the disability discrimination act.

I’d go with this op. Gets it out of the way. Good luck with your interview.

Are you sure that option 1 will actually reach the interview panel? From my experience it's usually HR asking that question to ensure the interview is done properly and not the panel themselves. Wouldn't it be a breach of confidence for HR to pass on health info to the interview panel? As far as I know this wouldn't normally be done unless the team need to make a specific adjustment (eg: lower light levels, remove a chair to accommodate a wheelchair etc). Even when HR tell the panel to make an adjustment they wouldn't disclose the condition to avoid discrimination claims.

I have nasty looking eczema around my nose, and to be honest i havent even thought of it in an interview situation. Its there, its what it is, i am sure they have seen similar conditions and arw not allowed to mention it or use it to determinate your job suitability. I think 3, but dont be self conscious about it, just forget its there

I have chronic and lifelong psoriasis and it's frequently covering my face.

I would do 3. Ive never flagged it up before an interview and no one has ever asked me about it. Sometimes, if the situation called for it, I mentioned it myself during the interview. What you look like shouldn't even come into the equation for a job which is why many places have 'blind' interviews now.

If someone flinched or looked appalled when they saw me I wouldn't want to work there anyway.