Guaranteed Interview Scheme

[HoldingOutForAutumn]

Would you apply, even if you had a condition that is pretty much invisible to others as you control it quite well (though when you tell people you have it, they say a lot of things make sense to them)? It's ADHD, btw. V recent diagnosis.

I want a career in a competitive field. I applied last month for a job, low paid but would be a good first step to begin this career post degree. Met (or mostly greatly exceeded) all points in the person specification. I didn't even get an interview.

Just emailed to ask whether the post had been filled, as it's been killing me waiting for a response. Didn't want to apply for any other job as this one was so perfect. The woman replied saying it had been filled, and to email her my application and she'd give me some feedback, which is lovely.

Tempted to ask her about the guaranteed interview scheme; however, it's an NHS trust so she couldn't really say it was a bad idea, could she? And even if she did, it'd probably stay on my record, as I'll no doubt apply for other jobs within the trust.

Tbh I wouldn't say I'm brilliant at interviews anyway. I'm ok, always been employed - but I'm much more articulate on paper than in real life, and I get very anxious. So I doubt I'll get through on my interview skills. I do think I'd be brilliant in the role though, have years of experience in the field and it's the one thing I've always been good at. Just got an excellent degree.

Would appreciate any thoughts.

Employers who sign up to the Guaranteed interview scheme promise to give applicants an interview provided they meet the minimum criteria. So in your case, you read the job spec, felt you were a good fit and applied. It sounds like the missing piece was that you didn't mention you had a disability at time of application, so they didn't consider you under the terms of that scheme.

Next time, you need to let them know, when you apply (not after the role has been filled) then you'll get the opportunity to be interviewed. I know it can feel exposing to lay your cards out on the table, before you've even been for the interview, but it's the only way to get your foot in the door under that Scheme.

Alternatively if your symptoms are under control, you'd have to submit your application and hope they see how good your CV looks.

I have used the guaranteed interview scheme. I also look perfectly well and you would never know there is anything 'wrong' with me. I don't interview that well but once I'm in a role, I'm bloody good at my job. I got my current role this way, including reasonable adjustments wrt hours.

Go for it. If it's an employer that uses the guaranteed interview scheme, then they will be good with disabilities.

Ah, thank you. It's mostly NHS jobs I'm looking for, so you'd hope they'd be good.

They will be good with things like this.