Guaranteed interview scheme

[JoJothesquirrel]

I’m not 100% sure that’s what’s it’s called but civil service, NHS and similar have a system that if you meet the job requirements and have a DLA defined disability you are guaranteed an interview.

I am debating this with a friend. We are both disabled by the definition, me just recently. She says she never ticks that box because they’ll interview you but never hire you. I’m inclined to feel the same.

has anyone ever been in the other side of this? Have you hired someone who had “ticked the box”. Or is just a case of going through the motions?

We call them two tickers, and I myself am a two ticker. I'm an ITU nurse who has a physical disability (I don't have a lower leg).

I am a band 5, but I applied for a band 7 specialist role last year and got the job. I didn't take it due to the on call rota, but I did ask if feedback if I was selected for interview due to my two ticks. I only asked as the interviewer said I was the only band 5 who made it to shortlisting. She said it had nothing to do with that, and I had proved that I had got there on my own merit.

I have ticked the box and got the interview and the job in 2 different companies.

Ok, so it doesn’t work against you. Or maybe you’re just great @QuinnofHearts .

I am interested making sure I have the legal protection if I get the job and need some adjustments.

I have interviewed (NHS) people through this, I have never appointed them but I certainly wasn't going through the motions and I would have appointed them if they were the best candidate.

I ticked the box, got the interview and the job but I'm very qualified and experienced on the role.

I didn't get the job because I ticked the box.

Ticking the box doesn't completely guarantee you an interview though. You do have to match a minimum of 60% of the person spec otherwise we are both wasting our time.

For example if I was recruiting for an accountant needing relevant qualifications and experience and you had only ever worked on retail then you wouldn't get an interview just by ticking a box.

so I should tick the box?

I wouldn’t apply for anything I didn’t meet the spec for. Just don’t want to waste everyone’s time.

In the civil service tick the box.
As I understand it they want to ensure that disabled candidates get a fair chance. In my area the application is still considered as part of the overall decision so does affect who gets the job. But it gives disabled candidates the chance to shine at interview when perhaps they struggle with paper applications.
Its positive discrimination to a degree but they still appointment the best candidate.

Yes tick the box.

It also meant that my hiring manager knew that I had physical limitations so was in touch shortly after offering the role to discuss what adjustments I may need to do the job to the best of my ability.