Empowering Job Seekers with Disabilities: Your Guide to Acing Interviews with Big Interview

Finding the right job or internship can be overwhelming. What should you say? What should you wear? How do you manage your body language, like what to do with your hands? These are all common concerns, but for individuals with visible or invisible disabilities, there’s an added layer of complexity.

Questions like “Should I disclose my disability?” or “How do I explain a gap in employment?” become equally important. These concerns are valid, but the answers may not always be straightforward.

Big Interview offers specialized online playbooks to help job seekers from different backgrounds prepare for interviews. This blog highlights two playbooks designed for individuals with disabilities and those who are neurodivergent. Great news… there’s no fee to use Big Interview as a Binghamton University student! 

These resources encourage you to answer interview questions authentically while staying true to yourself. Some of the personalized advice they offer includes:

  • Addressing Disclosure: Guidance on deciding whether, when, and how to disclose a disability to an employer, including how to talk about accommodations if needed.
  • Inclusive Strategies: Tips on handling disability-related questions while keeping the focus on your skills and qualifications.
  • Confidence Building: Practice through mock interviews and confidence-boosting techniques to help you navigate different interview scenarios with ease.
  • Legal Awareness: Information on your rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), ensuring you’re informed about protections during the hiring process.
  • Practical Resources: Advice on body language, virtual interviews, and managing anxiety, so you’re prepared for various interview formats.

These playbooks aim to empower job seekers with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed in interviews while embracing their unique experiences and perspectives.

Be sure to visit the Fleishman Center for a drop-in Mondays-Fridays 12 PM-3:40 PM. Additionally, you can make scheduled mock interview appointments via hireBING.  

This blog was made with the support of ChatGPT.

By Jen Carrieri
Jen Carrieri Senior Student Engagement Specialist