Pre- interview interview

newMS

if you are so keen on upholding rights for disabled people why don't you go into that sort of work ? or at least do some voluntary work in that area?

msmicawber

studentphil wrote: »

Alright, I know, I go about it badly and it does upset me that I do. I started this whole wanting this job because it have an ideal to make this employer world class and to make it better. I raised a concern about the application form as I feel it is important for disabled rights to be upheld. I always start from the best of intent and dreams, but then because I fear being rejected and so not being able to help and so not being able to make a difference that I always push it one step too far in trying to prove myself. But then I always end up upset and frustrated as I am now.

You're missing the point - they didn't ask about your disability because it isn't relevant to the job. The point at which it becomes relevant is when they offer you the job. I truly despair - only you could make a problem out of a system designed specifically not to descriminate against people on grounds of race, colour, religion, gender, disability, family responsibilities, etc. etc.

studentphil

msmicawber wrote: »

If what a couple of posters have said is correct and you're applying for a job at the University you have been attending, then you will be treated 'by the book' and the job will be offered to whoever meets the criteria laid out in the job specification regardless of any disability. That's why they don't ask about disability, family responsibilities, etc. on the application form. It is the way the public sector works. However, another poster said that you are applying for a job organising conferences, in which case you will need organisational skills, ability to get on with and motivate people and work to tight schedules. You'll also have to think on your feet and deal with last minute changes of plan, not to mention think of other people rather than yourself and work as part of a team.

Having worked in a University myself, I spent a lot of time telling students that if they put the energy into actually doing their dissertations that they put into finding excuses for not doing it, they'd get the degree that they were hoping for. You sound just like them. If you want a job, then it's time to stop being so naive and self-obsessed and look at what they want for the post, not what you think you have to offer generally. Once you've been working for a few years and have got more senior, then you can start laying down conditions - not when you're totally unproven.

Would you want to employ you? Really? What if you needed something done quickly, without argument or obfuscation?

I would employ me because I know that I have very stong desire and passions and I know that I will always work hard and with strong desire to meet a target. I know I can be undiplomatic sometimes and I know that is bad, however, I know I have a burning desire to improve the world.

studentphil

newMS wrote: »

if you are so keen on upholding rights for disabled people why don't you go into that sort of work ? or at least do some voluntary work in that area?

Because I am not physically able enough to help other disabled people in a physical sense but I can at least stand up for the ethics of it as that is a mental activity.

studentphil

msmicawber wrote: »

You're missing the point - they didn't ask about your disability because it isn't relevant to the job. The point at which it becomes relevant is when they offer you the job. I truly despair - only you could make a problem out of a system designed specifically not to descriminate against people on grounds of race, colour, religion, gender, disability, family responsibilities, etc. etc.

Okay, the problem is I need to know I can get to the interview room and to be fair to them that I am physically upto the job and the desk and chair will be suitable for me and all little things like that. That is to be fair to them as their is no point going for an interview if I am not going to be upto the job.

newMS

who mentioned physical work?????????? certainly not me , i was talking about disability rights, totally different, such as campaigning and advisory work, you obviously don't know as much as you think you do if you were not aware of this area of work

studentphil

newMS wrote: »

who mentioned physical work?????????? certainly not me , i was talking about disability rights, totally different, such as campaigning and advisory work, you obviously don't know as much as you think you do if you were not aware of this area of work

Okay, in that type of work I would be too upset and annoyed at the injustices people face to be ever anything more than unhappy and in a way I am seeking a job for happiness and to feel better not to feel more annoyed about disability. Therefore, I would never do well at that job as I could never be objective enough.

msmicawber

It depends what you mean by 'up to the job'. If it's a case of adjustments that need to be made to the workplace (such as a braille keyboard or a wheelchair ramp), then that's irrelevant to the job and something the employer has to deal with if you are the best candidate. A public sector employer, in particular, will just deal with that. Any employer has to do that by law, though smaller companies find it harder and don't always know about the grants they're entitled to to make changes, etc.

You sound as though you're looking for excuses for getting out of actually going to the interview. Try looking at the job description and considering what they're looking for and whether you meet those criteria. All this fluffy guff about passion to change the world won't make widgets, or get the photocopying done or whatever the employer needs, and if you come out with that in an interview, you'll justifiably lose yourself the job.

By all means once you've got a job and developed some experience and gravitas look at procedures and put forward improvements, but not pre-pre-interview.

msmicawber

P.S. Always go to an interview - if nothing else, it's practice, and you need that.

newMS

so you'd better get your act together and stop stropping off everytime someone doesn't give you what you want 5 minutes ago or when things aren't to your liking