Job interview tomorrow!!!

[Loopy Lou]

Ooh i'm so nervous!

Shows that this new law is working though - first job i've applied for since the government said that companies can no longer ask for medical information on application forms, and i get an interview straight off!

Makes me suspicious of all the other ones i applied for, but hey ho.

It's at the Society for the Deaf. It's a residential home for (mostly) elderly people who are deaf, and the job is four nights a week, doing a waking night shift.

Problem is - this is a much larger place than the one i work at at the moment, with 19 residents rather than the 4 i work with at the moment. On one hand that means more staff, so i should always be working with someone. On the other hand, it's more people to be responsible for, and they may only have one person awake on the night shift (Which would be me) and someone who basically gets paid to sleep, in case of any emergencies.

Do i tell them at the interview about my epilepsy? As if job interviews weren't nerve-wracking enough lol!

If it was a job in a shop or bar or something i probably wouldn't mention it, but since i'd have a duty of care, i probably should. I'm really scared it will damage my chances though. >.< I feel like i may be ready to go back to full time working now.

Well, for now i've got to do the more normal worrying, like hunting for my certificates/qualifications folder and figuring out what i'm going to wear, eeeeeekkkkkkk!!!!!!!

 

[Nakamova]

If you feel that you are qualified and able, then I wouldn't bring any health concerns up at the interview. (I like to use the allergy comparison -- can you imagine yourself saying at the interview "by the way, I'm allergic to peanuts"?) Wait until you've got the job, and get a sense of how you feel doing it. At that point you can make the judgement of how relevant your health issues are, and then if necessary approach your supervisor with the information.

Good luck at the interview!

 

[Endless]

Hi, Lou,

An interview - exciting!

I wouldn't tell them either, unless it is a clear safety risk for those you care for and your seizures aren't under control.

I can't remember (excuse my non-memory). What kind of seizures? Are they more or less under control?

Good luck - I know you will do great!

 

[huskymom]

Good luck at your interview! We will keep our fingers crossed for you. You will know during the interview if these are people who would react well if you decide to tell them. Personally, I would keep it private.

 

[Loopy Lou]

i have tonic clonics, mostly while sleeping, but i've not had one for a few months now (yay keppra!) i still have quite a lot of partials and absences, depending on factors ie tiredness, stress. but unless people know what they're looking for, they probably wouldn't notice. I'm still thinking about starting vimpat to help with the partials.

Just getting ready now, i'll leet you know how it goes!

 

[Loopy Lou]

Well, just got back from interview, i think it went ok. I did tell them about the epilepsy, but that it was under control. Mind you, they only asked specifically if i had "grand mals" and how often. I chose to give the minimum information.

They didn't seem fazed by it, which is good. I was so nervous though! I'd been practicing what i would say, and trying to pre-empt what questions they would ask me, and i thought i had it all sorted out in my head but then when i went in, i was like "Um.....". They seemed happy with my previous experience and training.

Anyhoo, because of the lack of jobs around at the moment, they've had loads of applicants. It'll be about two weeks before i hear one way or the other.

*keeps fingers crossed*

 

[Nakamova]

My fingers are crossed too. Hoping you get the job!

 

[ColmanMac]

Hi Loopy Loo from the Newbie.

I wholly agree that the Equality Act 2010 is a wonderful piece of legislation!! (Interesting to read, too!).

Best of luck @ the interview.

Errin go brach!
Colman

 

[Cint]

Loopy Lou,

Sorry I didn't respond sooner, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you, also. I think it was great that you did tell them about your epilepsy. Brave of you to do so.

 

[Endless]

I'm so glad it went well! Good job!

 

[Loopy Lou]

Thanks everyone

And Colman - i know, i'm gonna have to read that in full i think. I feel much more confident and motivated to apply for jobs now that i know that legislation is in place.

I am working at the moment, but only part time. I get dla and tax credits to top up my earnings a bit, but i feel like i'm ready to go back to full time now and earn enough to get my own place.

 

[RobinN]

Not sure why you feel the need to bring up your health issues.
Rebecca, recently was hired at Banana Republic and there was concern to tell them. If by chance a seizure occurs, then we will deal with it at that time. She also has chosen not to tell all of her teachers. I trust her judgement on that. She only told one that she sees three times a week.

It shouldn't be a problem unless it is affecting your work performance. They have three months to make that judgement, and you have three months to prove what a fabulous employee you are.

Good luck

 

[ColmanMac]

Hi Loopy Lou; Great that all seems to have gone OK for you. I used to run Job Clubs for Employment Services at one time & I always told folk to just go in and enjoy the interview. I know it's easier said than done for some - but if you can get that into the psyche, you'd be surprised the diff it makes.

Also re: Equality Act - I've been roped into acting as Adviser to our County Council Diversity & Equality Division so if you need any help, give me a shout - I may not know, but I'll know a man who does!

PS How's Ballymena? I was born/bred in Cork but went to Uni @ Queens so know most of Ulster & still get to friends a lot. (Know Gracehill fairly well).

Take Care; Col.

 

[Loopy Lou]

Robin - it's because of the nature of work i do that i felt the need to tell them. I kept information to a minimum though, and stated it as a fact and not an admission or confession. I think the way it's put across can make a difference. Col - aye it's grand. I miss it a lot though!

 

[ColmanMac]

Hi "LL" - It's no good - I'm gonna have to take you in hand - Trust me - I'll get you there - If I'm nothing else Im persistant - I'm a Culchie, after all!

Col.

 

[Loopy Lou]

I didn't get it

Back to the drawing board i suppose. At least they had the decency to call and tell me, most potential employers just never get back to the applicant.

*Is off to look up more jobs to apply for*

 

[CQ:)]

Aw Sorry you didn't get the job Lou.

As you said alot of the times when you go for a job you don't hear anything back. So it was good that they did contact you.

When I go for jobs I always think it's great if I get an interview & brilliant if I do get the job. I hate job interviews always get so dam nervous) so i put every interview down as experience.

Good luck with the job hunting, hope something else comes up

 

[Loopy Lou]

It's the application forms that get me lol I can spend an entire day trying to do one properly!

It's been quite a while before this one that i had an interview though, so maybe it will be good for practice.

Not too many jobs about at the moment, but hey-ho, i'll keep looking.

 

[Endless]

Sorry you didn't get the job, Lou.

Next time try this - don't tell them about the epilepsy until after they've offered you a job. If it's a problem they'll tell you then. And since they've already offered you the job they have to prove epilepsy is a danger, and they can't accomodate you. They can't make some dumb excuse and just withdraw the offer, or just pass over you entirely because of the E.

 

[epileric]

Sorry you didn't get the job Lou but I'll bet there's a satisfaction in knowing that you didn't get the job due to something other than the fact that you have seizures, probably something a bit more even-handed.