Job applications and interviews

Traditional application forms and interviews can be challenging for people with dyslexia. Here’s how you can approach them well.

Matching your skills to the job

A job application is more likely to be shortlisted when your application form or CV matches up with the person specification for the role.

Some employers will read applications and CVs themselves, but many large companies use Application Tracking System software, a computer programme which selects the most appropriate applications for the position. Either way, what you say in your CV or application form needs to relate very closely to the person specification for you to be chosen for the next stage.

Try using mind maps or a table with two columns to organise your thoughts and help structure your answers. For example:

Person specificationMy experience
Excellent customer serviceWorked in a shop. Got an award for great service.
Good communication skillsMember of a public speaking club
Team workerWorked as a team in the shop
Also a Mountain Rescue volunteer
IT skillsPassed the ECDL qualification

Should I tell a potential employer that I’m dyslexic?

It is up to you whether you declare that you are dyslexic on your application form. Employers may ask about health or a disability to determine whether reasonable adjustments need to be made in the application process. If your application is successful they may need to ask more questions about adjustments for the role itself.

If you have told your potential employer that you are dyslexic, or if you intend to do this at the interview, you need to be prepared to talk about it. This is an opportunity to highlight the strengths that your dyslexia brings and also how you overcome any challenges you might have. It is useful to think about what areas of the job might require reasonable adjustments and what they might be. This way you are not saying that you have a difficulty, but you are offering a solution.

There can be an advantage in letting a potential employers know that you are dyslexic so that adjustments can be made to the recruitment process if necessary.

It might also be useful to provide them with some helpful information, such as information provided for employers by Dyslexia Scotland.

Some advantages to letting an employer know that you are dyslexic include:

Interviews

Some people with dyslexia excel in interviews. For others, taking time to process questions, organising thoughts and structuring answers while remembering all parts of the question can cause some difficulties. You can ask in advance to allow reasonable adjustments to be in place for an interview to help you express yourself well. Some things that might help are:

Please note that these are just examples and this is not an exhaustive list.

In some cases, Access to Work may also be able to offer support for interviews.

Other help with applying for jobs

Skills Development Scotland

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Access to Work

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Equality Act (2010)

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My World of Work

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