My dyslexia is affecting getting a job

[Auburngal]

I don’t mention it in applications. As had experience of disclosing it in applying for two jobs- same role, different departments. One I said I have dyslexia or a disability. The other, I didn’t tick the disability box. Guess which one I got the interview for? Yep, the one where I didn’t disclose my dyslexia.

My dyslexia affects interviews. Know what to say but I just mess up.

Left my last job because of the store manager took advantage of my dyslexia - discriminated me. Raised grievance. Didn’t get anywhere. There is something very scheming business going on between him and his area manager. I would still be working if it wasn’t for him. If I didn’t leave when I did, I probably would have ended my life by now.

Back to the job hunting. Is there any organisation that can help me? I feel that some people don’t understand how varying dyslexia is and some still have this prejudice of dyslexia = thick and stupid.

For your information I’m 43 years old, worked in customer services all my working life.

A "test" of one application isn't a test of anything. One job might have had dozens of great candidates, the other not so much. So you have no real idea whether your dyslexia was the reason for not getting an interview or not. The same job but in different departments - but different applicants, different short-listers, different interviewers etc.

To be honest, I know lots of people with dyslexia and have employed many people with varying disabilities including dyslexia. The only time that I can think of where it might make a difference in getting an interview is if you don't tell me and that means that your application appears to come across as "careless". What kind of help are you looking fr - there are just so many possible types of help that it's hard to suggest something without understanding what you need.

You could try anything civil service/gov they tend to be good with ND candidates. If you do then put down you are dyslexic and tick disabled and then if offered an interview message them and ask if they give neurodiverse candidates the interview questions in advance, they may well do and it will make a world of difference to you. DS is autistic and this is how he managed to get a good government research job.

I believe employers are putting applicants who have ticked the I have a disability box, it makes them put in the reject pile.

There is a company called Diversita or similar who specialise in finding posts for people with dyslexia, adhd autism etc. There is also a charity that does similar but can’t remember the name.

I can tell you for a fact that whilst I cannot say nobody ever does this, this is not true of most companies. They do not have to join the Disability Confident Scheme, so why would they bother if they simply reject disabled candidates. As a recruiting manager for organisations in the scheme, we have always - ALWAYS - applied it. Anyone who meets required criteria for the role and also has a disability would be interviewed. It doesn't mean they get the job - they still have to perform better than other candidates - but they will get interviewed.

On the other hand - and I do mean this kindly - your dyslexia appears (based on your posts) to lead to a standard and style of English which looks careless. If you do the same thing in your applications and don't tick the box, many recruiters would sift you out for the carelessness of the application - unless you told us that you have a disability, in which case we wouldn't.

There are many many excellent candidates out there all looking for work. You are just one of them. There can be many reasons why you aren't getting interviews or jobs, and it doesn't all fall down to being discrimination. Yes, discrimination does exist, of course it does. I am disabled and I experience it. But I have literally never had any difficulty getting a job (and good jobs). Some people might look at my and assume what I can't do - but that isn't everyone. There are thousands of people with both visible and invisible disabilities in the workforce - there isn't a conspiracy to keep you out of it.

Civil service and their arms length bodies are very inclusive.

An employer can't discriminate against you if you never told them about your condition. If you aren't disclosing your disability then Occ Health aren't involved and haven't helped you with adjustments that would help you such as speech to text software etc. or questions in advance of the interview or in written form, or extra time to allow the likely longer processing needs you have.

Is Customer Service really a good fit for you and your skills particularly if you keep getting rejected?
Can you retrain in something else?
Would something more hands on be more appropriate?

I have dyslexia and I left my job because I was bullied for my dyslexia when I told the manager I would micromanage and shouted at the store manager did not do anything and my mental health went worse I am 39 years old still looking for work when I tell the employee I have dyslexia. They do not take it further. It is hard to find a job. This is why I will not work in Tesco because they do not understand.