Last reviewed: 22 June 2022
- Ask applicants how you can make the recruitment process more accessible and enjoyable at every opportunity.
- Consider the language you use – be positive and avoid words like ‘declare’ and ‘disclose’.
- Make sure not to ask questions about health and disability – only focus on changes you can make that will remove barriers and make the process fair for disabled applicants and candidates.
- Use examples of adjustments you have provided in the past and other steps you have taken to welcome disabled candidates to demonstrate that you can be trusted.
When to ask for information about adjustments
In short – every time you are in contact with an applicant and candidate. This includes:
- In the job advert – Include a section inviting applicants to get in touch to talk about any adjustments they may need. Provide two forms of contact information – such as telephone and email – so that disabled applicants who find it difficult to use some means of contact can still get in touch.
- When inviting candidates to assessments and job interviews – Outline what will be involved and again invite them to contact you to talk about adjustments they need.
- At the interview and assessment – Ask candidates if they will need any adjustments to perform at the interview or in the assessment. They may not have realised or been made aware of something that is a barrier to them. This may involve delaying their interview or assessment until adjustments have been put in place.
- When making the job offer – Ask again if there are any adjustments they need to perform the role. Remember not all disabled people will be experts in their own condition, so offer to work with them to identify if they need adjustments and what ones would work best.
- Prior to their start – Once a candidate has accepted a job offer, part of getting the team ready for them to begin will involve getting any adjustments they need ready. Get in touch with them again to ask if they need any adjustments to be in place when they start.
- Once they have started – Ask new starters at their induction and at their regular catchups with their manager if they need any adjustments. It may not be clear until they are actually in post whether there are any barriers that require adjustments to be made.
- Any other time you are in contact with them – For example, if you contact applicants to let them know you have received their application, or to let them know that there is a delay with the process. Invite them again to get in touch to talk about any adjustments they may need.
Read next
- Asking about adjustments – Language
- Communicating with candidates post-job offer
- Can I ask candidates questions about disability?
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