Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Job interview - what would you do? (self.Blind)
submitted by codeplaysleep
I've been looking for a new job the past month and a half, interviewing with several places. I'm looking for a remote position, so these have all been phone/slack interviews and my eyesight has never come up. I don't need whoever hires me to provide any accommodations, since I work from home and have the perfect setup for my needs. My vision, while poor, is stable. I'd prefer not to mention it until it comes up casually at some later point, after I've secured the job and we've all worked together for a bit.
For the past week or so, I've been talking with this really great company that I love and that I think would be a great fit. I've done phone calls with the founder, CTO, and their lead developer. I had the technical interview last week and it went very well. They want to move on to a final interview, but it sounded kind of like a formality.
So this final interview will be a video interview with 4-5 people, the CEO and a few other higher-ups at the company. It's supposed to be a video interview. I kinda don't want to do a video interview....
Due to how things have to be set up for me to see them, I don't/can't access the built-in webcam on my Macbook, so I'd need to buy a separate one. Video calls make my vision loss very obvious, and, to be honest, I'm a bit self-conscious about my looks at the moment, because I recently got a new prosthetic eye and it still needs some tweaking/adjustments and it doesn't look right just yet (long story due to problems caused my my previous prosthetic affecting the fit of this one). If I'm just out and about and stuff, I don't care that much, but sitting and staring straight into a webcam (which is never flattering to begin with), eh... it makes me pretty uncomfortable.
I don't think my eyesight, prosthetic, etc. would affect my chances of getting the job - they don't seem like those types of people, but this is my first time job hunting in maybe 12 years (I've moved between jobs in that time, but it's all been due to networking). I'm finding that it's harder to find a remote engineering position these days if you're female and over 40, so throw in "disabled" and it just feels like it would put me in a vulnerable spot that I don't need to be in, since I can do my job fine and won't require any accommodations from them.
Is this something I should just get over and do (I feel like this is probably the answer)? Should I just explain that I don't have access to my webcam for accessibility reasons and leave it at that? Should I request a different interview format? Should I talk to someone there ahead of the interview and discuss my concerns?
I really want this job, so I'm probably over-thinking this.
For the past week or so, I've been talking with this really great company that I love and that I think would be a great fit. I've done phone calls with the founder, CTO, and their lead developer. I had the technical interview last week and it went very well. They want to move on to a final interview, but it sounded kind of like a formality.
So this final interview will be a video interview with 4-5 people, the CEO and a few other higher-ups at the company. It's supposed to be a video interview. I kinda don't want to do a video interview....
Due to how things have to be set up for me to see them, I don't/can't access the built-in webcam on my Macbook, so I'd need to buy a separate one. Video calls make my vision loss very obvious, and, to be honest, I'm a bit self-conscious about my looks at the moment, because I recently got a new prosthetic eye and it still needs some tweaking/adjustments and it doesn't look right just yet (long story due to problems caused my my previous prosthetic affecting the fit of this one). If I'm just out and about and stuff, I don't care that much, but sitting and staring straight into a webcam (which is never flattering to begin with), eh... it makes me pretty uncomfortable.
I don't think my eyesight, prosthetic, etc. would affect my chances of getting the job - they don't seem like those types of people, but this is my first time job hunting in maybe 12 years (I've moved between jobs in that time, but it's all been due to networking). I'm finding that it's harder to find a remote engineering position these days if you're female and over 40, so throw in "disabled" and it just feels like it would put me in a vulnerable spot that I don't need to be in, since I can do my job fine and won't require any accommodations from them.
Is this something I should just get over and do (I feel like this is probably the answer)? Should I just explain that I don't have access to my webcam for accessibility reasons and leave it at that? Should I request a different interview format? Should I talk to someone there ahead of the interview and discuss my concerns?
I really want this job, so I'm probably over-thinking this.
Drunken_Idaho 10 points 3y ago
Don't tell them you can't use your webcam for accessibility reasons? What else can't she do and so on may be the response.
Just do the interview and own it. You've come this far and proven your skills. Be confident and assertive and you'll do great.
Good luck and please let us know how it goes.
Just do the interview and own it. You've come this far and proven your skills. Be confident and assertive and you'll do great.
Good luck and please let us know how it goes.
codeplaysleep [OP] 7 points 3y ago
Oh, that's a good point.
Thank you. I figured "do the interview and just own it" is the way to go, I guess I just need the confidence boost to do it.
Thank you. I figured "do the interview and just own it" is the way to go, I guess I just need the confidence boost to do it.
TK_Sleepytime 6 points 3y ago
I also have a prosthetic that I think is obvious (my eyelid is permanently droopy on that side too) but I have never said anything about my vision until I was hired. I am always self-conscious about my sight in interviews (in-person and video) but it seems that it's way more obvious to me than others and most people don't notice until I tell them. You can always return the new camera after your interview.
codeplaysleep [OP] 2 points 3y ago
Yeah, I'm just gonna do it. I picked up a camera today. Thinking about it more, this may just be more general anxiety about job hunting, since I haven't had to in so long and now I really need to find something by the end of the year.
SpikeTheCookie 3 points 3y ago
I'm going to be interviewing soon, too!
Sending you huge congrats on being brilliant and impressive during interviews!
And... I'd urge you to continue being brilliant and impressive, which means suit up and show up. Demonstrate what it's like to work with you by showing how at ease you are with them and your vision loss, how this is a minor issue, and the real focus is your big brain and engaging personality.
Frankly, I'd start off by saying hello in a genuinely friendly voice and asking if I'm looking at the camera okay? When they say, Yes, I'd add, Good! Because I have a have a vision impairment and just want to make sure I've got the camera lined up. Great to be here and so excited about POSITION. Where should we start?"
So now they know, this would explain anything noticeable about your prosthetic (which allows them to relax), and they also know you are not intimidated by video and your loss of vision is just a very minor issue for you. Why? Because you are brilliant and impressive!
Sending you huge congrats on being brilliant and impressive during interviews!
And... I'd urge you to continue being brilliant and impressive, which means suit up and show up. Demonstrate what it's like to work with you by showing how at ease you are with them and your vision loss, how this is a minor issue, and the real focus is your big brain and engaging personality.
Frankly, I'd start off by saying hello in a genuinely friendly voice and asking if I'm looking at the camera okay? When they say, Yes, I'd add, Good! Because I have a have a vision impairment and just want to make sure I've got the camera lined up. Great to be here and so excited about POSITION. Where should we start?"
So now they know, this would explain anything noticeable about your prosthetic (which allows them to relax), and they also know you are not intimidated by video and your loss of vision is just a very minor issue for you. Why? Because you are brilliant and impressive!
codeplaysleep [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Good luck to you!
And thanks - yeah, I'm just going to go in and do my best to stay positive and confident. The difficult/technical part of the interview process is over, so this should theoretically be easier.
I work with wonderful people now whom I feel very close to, but I'm being laid off at the end of the year due to cutbacks... I don't want to lose the job I have, and I really need to find a new one. So this whole process has just been an emotional roller coaster and I think it's made me more nervous/self-conscious about it than I otherwise would be.
And thanks - yeah, I'm just going to go in and do my best to stay positive and confident. The difficult/technical part of the interview process is over, so this should theoretically be easier.
I work with wonderful people now whom I feel very close to, but I'm being laid off at the end of the year due to cutbacks... I don't want to lose the job I have, and I really need to find a new one. So this whole process has just been an emotional roller coaster and I think it's made me more nervous/self-conscious about it than I otherwise would be.
SpikeTheCookie 2 points 3y ago
Aw, I'm so sorry you're losing such a great job, and you are doing everything right by jumping into finding your next great gig! And it is an emotional roller coaster, for sure. I'm reskilling, currently unemployed, and will end up with certification in a new career... but no experience. I'm all, "Be fearless" because, you know, what other real choice is there that will lead to an amazing job with benefits? LOL
moremattymattmatt 3 points 3y ago
All I can say as someone who's on the other side of the interview often enough is that finding someone half decent who is also happens to be disabled would make HR very happy and get me extra brownie points. No-one like surprises so if you're getting a positive vibe off the company, I'd discuss it with them in advance. Either way, if you're relaxed, positive and get on well with the higher-ups they'll just go with whatever their underlings recommend.
drv687 2 points 3y ago
My visual impairment is obvious too. I try to look at an object on my wall that gives the impression that I’m making eye contact with at least one person since I struggle to see faces and body language and position my webcam so I can see as many of them as possible.
djflex90 2 points 3y ago
Just push on. If they ask you, I would briefly touch on it. Show them it won’t be a major issue or anything they need consider if you don’t need accommodations. Maybe sun glasses to hide the eye your self conscious about? Turn your head slightly toward that side of your face? Just all things I would think of doing. Hope it helps. Good luck with the job
codeplaysleep [OP] 1 points 3y ago
I thought about sunglasses, but that might actually draw more attention, so I'll just put my regular glasses on and tell myself not to worry. I've been so stressed out about finding another job and I've been turned down at a few places that seemed really promising, so I think my self-confidence has just taken a bit of a hit.
0987655555 2 points 3y ago
Do the interview. Find a way to get a camera. You got this. This isn’t going to stop you.
Keep us posted. And I’m not saying good luck because you’re prepared, you don’t need luck!!
Keep us posted. And I’m not saying good luck because you’re prepared, you don’t need luck!!
codeplaysleep [OP] 2 points 3y ago
Thank you! I picked up a webcam this morning. I'm just waiting to hear back from them to schedule the call - they had a scheduling conflict come up on Friday and told me they'd get back to me today or tomorrow and we'd pick a time.
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