Disability interview

[Marmaladesarnie]

I’m trying to career change and not getting through the interview stage.
I have dyslexia (it’s not severe and I have a load of coping strategies) but I do believe this is holding me back with applications.

I know I come across better in person and in interviews.

lots of jobs have a tick box that says something along the lines of “would you like to be considered for interview as a disabled applicant”

Im fairly sure dyslexia counts for this, but should I be clicking it? I’ve been concerned it would count against me, and I try not to mention my dyslexia if I can help it.

Not getting through to the interview stage - my applications aren’t good enough

It wouldn't be unreasonable to click the box to be considered as a disabled applicant.

It would also be worth getting some help to improve your applications. Do you have any friends/family who could support you with them?

With the best will in the world, even if your dyslexia is severe enough to qualify as a disability, it won't get you an interview if you tick the box. Ticking the box means (or should mean) that a disabled candidate who meets the essential criteria will be interviewed. If at shortlisting there are more people that meet the criteria than the panel wants to see, they would normally use desriable criteria to knock people out, i.e. the people interviewed would be those that have both essential and desirable skills and experience. If this tier is applied, then candidates with a disability will be interviewed whether or not they have the desirables.

In your case you are saying that your applications aren't good enough. If you do not meet the essential criteria at the application stage ticking the disability box will not (or shouldn't) get you an interview. What you really need to someone who is good at writing applications that meet the citeria to support you by checking that that is what your application does.

One other observation - you say that you are trying to change careers. If you don't have the skill set, or don't demonstrate the applicability of your existing skills to the new career skill set, that would in itself rule you out. You are likely to be competing against people who are already in that particular field, and unless there is a shortage of recruits, you may simply not be competing at the appropriate level for where you want to be. You might get some advice on this aspect if we knew where you were trying to go and from what field you are currently in.

@BlueHexagon I’ve got an appointment with a careers service to help and my family can proof read for me. I’m mainly applying for civil service roles and I’m just not hitting the mark.
I’m qualified and experienced for all the roles I’m going for. I just can’t get through the applications!

ALso each application is totally different as well so I'm not able to get one really good refined one (looked at by a few people) and send it because I'm having to write new from scratch each time.

What kind of civil service roles and grade are you looking at OP? Is there a specific department you’re interested in?

Just thinking of you’re able to say roughly what you’re aiming for we may be able to be more helpful in terms of your actual applications, eg; if you were applying for a HMPPS role I may be able to advise more appropriately.

In my experience it would absolutely not count against you, and I’ve known people with severe dyslexia who have had fantastic adjustments and technology made to support them in their roles.

Civil service roles are heavily oversubscribed for applications - in many areas even if you get through the selection process it may be months, or never, when you actually get a real offer of a job. In many areas as well, there are fixed term contracts that allow them to dispense with staff every couple of years (before they get employment rights). Have you looked into the specifics of the roles you are applying for to see their viability? Everyone thinks the civil service is a great job so loads of people apply. There are many areas of work where is is far from a great job!

It would be normal to have to tailor applications to each application.

So I have a maths degree and have been a teacher and am now a senior leader in a school.
Im applying for EO and HEO roles (despite the pay cut)
in learning and development for moj & dwp
Ive also applied for a data job in ons.

I know they are oversubscribed, but Im in a rural area and need part time (due to a health condition that I can’t declare as it’s not diagnosed and I’ve been affected for less than 12 months) and that leaves me very few options other than civil service as they say - remote, flexible, part time available

Just a thought OP - have you looked at L&D roles for smaller organisations or charities? I’ve seen SHOUT and Victim Focus both advertise these sorts of roles quite recently. From memory both were remote with odd office days for team building once a quarter or so. May be worth looking?