Exploring Differences in the Content of Job Interviews between Youth with and without a Physical Disability | Knowledge Translation for Employment Research Center

Authors:	Lucca, A. M., Henry, A. D., Banks, S., Simon, L., & Page, S.
Year Published	2015
Publication	PLOS ONE
Volume	10
Number	3
Pages
Publisher	PLOS ONE
Background	This study looked at the similarities and differences among youth with disabilities on a mock job interview compared to their typically developing peers. Understanding the content of job interviews may highlight areas where individuals with disabilities perform differently than those with typical development and how these areas may present barriers to employment.
Purpose	The purpose of this research is to inform employment readiness programs and educate employers about the potential challenges associated with this recruitment method for those with disabilities.
Setting	This study is part of a larger, multi-method, cross-sectional observational study on employment readiness among youth with disabilities.
Sample	Employers and employment counselors (n = 19), and youth (n = 31) were interviewed for this study.
Data Collection	This study recruited youth through the use of advertisements at a pediatric rehabilitation hospital and community centers. Information packages were also sent to youth who were thought to meet the inclusion criteria.
Control	There was no control for this study.
Findings	The study found several similarities and differences between youth with disabilities and typically developing youth. For youth with disabilities, differences in job interview answers included: (1) disclosing their condition; (2) giving fewer examples related to customer service and teamwork skills; (3) experiencing greater challenges in providing feedback to team members and responding to scenario-based problem solving questions; and (4) drawing on examples from past work, volunteer and extracurricular activities.
Conclusions	Clinicians and educators should help youth recognize their marketable skills and how to highlight those skills in an interview. Employers should recognize that the experiences of youth with disabilities may be different than typically developing youth.
URL	http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0122084&type=printable
Disabilities	No specific disability
Populations	Male & Female
Outcomes	Employment acquisition
NIDILRR Funded	No
Research Design	Qualitative
Peer Reviewed	Yes

Year Published

2015

Publication

PLOS ONE

Volume

10

Number

3

Pages

Publisher

PLOS ONE

Background

This study looked at the similarities and differences among youth with disabilities on a mock job interview compared to their typically developing peers. Understanding the content of job interviews may highlight areas where individuals with disabilities perform differently than those with typical development and how these areas may present barriers to employment.

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to inform employment readiness programs and educate employers about the potential challenges associated with this recruitment method for those with disabilities.

Setting

This study is part of a larger, multi-method, cross-sectional observational study on employment readiness among youth with disabilities.

Sample

Employers and employment counselors (n = 19), and youth (n = 31) were interviewed for this study.

Data Collection

This study recruited youth through the use of advertisements at a pediatric rehabilitation hospital and community centers. Information packages were also sent to youth who were thought to meet the inclusion criteria.

Control

There was no control for this study.

Findings

The study found several similarities and differences between youth with disabilities and typically developing youth. For youth with disabilities, differences in job interview answers included: (1) disclosing their condition; (2) giving fewer examples related to customer service and teamwork skills; (3) experiencing greater challenges in providing feedback to team members and responding to scenario-based problem solving questions; and (4) drawing on examples from past work, volunteer and extracurricular activities.

Conclusions

Clinicians and educators should help youth recognize their marketable skills and how to highlight those skills in an interview. Employers should recognize that the experiences of youth with disabilities may be different than typically developing youth.

URL

http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0122084&type=printable

Disabilities

No specific disability

Populations

Male & Female

Outcomes

Employment acquisition

NIDILRR Funded

No

Research Design

Qualitative

Peer Reviewed

Yes