Understanding the Lived Experiences of Early-Career Individuals Living with Disabilities in Job Interviews

Abstract

The job interview is often a pivotal step towards employment, yet research on how individuals with disabilities experience the interview process remains underdeveloped. This study addresses this gap by analyzing data from 25 semi-structured, virtual interviews with early career individuals who, within the past year, had participated in a job interview while living with a disability. Participants reported living with a range of physical, cognitive, sensory, and mental health disabilities. Notably, generalized anxiety was a common disability identity expressed by participants. Braun and Clarke's (2006) thematic analysis approach was used to analyze the data. A temporal lens was applied in the interview protocol to understand participant experiences before, during, and after the interview. The analysis revealed internal dialogues that flowed across temporal dimensions of the interview, aimed at mitigating negative thoughts, managing physical symptom manifestations, and responding to disability flare-ups or cognitively demanding tasks. Embedded in this internal dialogue was a desire to appear "normal" or "the least amount of odd" to interviewers. Findings suggest the need for additional awareness and further research on the experiences of job candidates with disabilities to contribute both to theory and to make the practice of job interviews more inclusive.