Answering Questions During an Interview as a Blind Candidate
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When preparing for an interview as a person who is blind or has low vision, the saying “practice makes perfect” holds true. The more you practice, the better you’ll refine your responses for your next job interview. It’s helpful to prepare answers to common interview questions and consider how you’ll address accessibility and any accommodations you may need.
If you haven’t disclosed your blindness beforehand, you may need to put staff at ease addressing employer concerns. For instance, you might say, “Thanks for asking if my guide dog needs water—she’s fine. I offer her water at specific times,” or “I can complete the background check paperwork. Could you direct me to a desk where I can use my video magnifier?”
Such responses and well-crafted interview answers can demonstrate your skills to prospective employers.
Photo of woman walking into an interview.
Purpose of the Interview
Your role in an interview is to showcase your skills and give the interviewer a clear sense of who you are. With thorough preparation, you can present yourself in the best light and confidently deliver well-crafted, concise responses. Practicing answers to common questions is a powerful way to ensure you’re ready to shine.
Tips for Answering Questions
Communicating professionally and thoughtfully is essential for making the best impression in an interview. Remember these guidelines to ensure your responses are clear, concise, and positive.
- Use professional language and proper grammar.
- Avoid sharing irrelevant or negative information, especially about a former employer.
- Only elaborate if the interviewer asks you to clarify something you’ve mentioned.
- Pace your response: while it’s essential to be brief and to the point, avoid speaking too quickly or sounding rushed. Remember to breathe to maintain a steady rate of speech.
- Conclude your answer with a clear and confident closing.
Questions Specific to Interviewing as a Person Who Is Blind
The hiring manager may ask about the assistive technology you use or your guide dog. Remember, however, that you are the focus. You can prepare to steer the conversation back to your skills and qualifications.
If questions arise about your assistive technology or guide dog, consider briefly sharing relevant information. For example, you might say, “I’ve been touch-typing using mainstream and assistive technology since elementary school, which helps me keep pace with my sighted peers. I have a thorough knowledge of Microsoft, iOS, and assistive technologies commonly used by individuals who are blind.”
Or, “My guide dog and I have been a team for three years, and we navigate daily life using various forms of transportation.”
Common Interview Questions and Appropriate Responses
Answer common interview questions in a way that showcases your experience, abilities, and forward-thinking approach. Here are a few examples.
Tell me about yourself.
“I’m originally from Texas but moved to Ohio for college and have stayed ever since. I hold a master’s degree in journalism and have enjoyed working as a contractor for National Public Radio. Now, I’m ready to transition into a full-time role.”
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
“One of my strengths is my adaptability to technology. I’ve become comfortable learning new tech because I’ve used various forms of mainstream and assistive technology throughout my life.”
“As for weaknesses, I sometimes struggle to remember all the steps in a new process. To address this, I use a checklist app on my phone to help me stay organized.”
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Companies appreciate candidates who are committed to their growth. Researching a company beforehand can also help you answer this question with relevance.
“In five years, I see myself in an upper-management role where I can contribute to the company’s growth and direction in a more significant way.”
Work Ethic and Personality
During an interview, it’s common to be asked questions that explore your work personality and how you might handle ethical dilemmas as an employee. These questions are designed to learn more about you and how you would respond in situations involving colleagues.
For example, you might be asked:
“What would you do if you learned that a coworker was photocopying materials to give to her daughter for use at her in-home childcare facility?”
A thoughtful response could be:
“I believe trust between an employer and employee is crucial. Employees taking advantage of their employer can create significant issues within the team and the workplace environment. I would address the situation by first considering the best approach to handle it professionally and ethically while maintaining integrity for myself and the company.”
Sharing information about volunteer, philanthropic, or recreational activities during an interview can demonstrate your commitment to others and your well-rounded character. However, be mindful not to mention activities that may conflict with the company culture. When asked a question like, “What do you do outside of work?” here’s a sample response:
“I enjoy volunteering with Golden Retriever Rescue, and I also love reading both nonfiction and fiction books.”
Be prepared to elaborate on your involvement with the dog rescue organization or mention a recent book you’ve read. This will help show your passion and provide an opportunity to connect more deeply with the interviewer.
Using Assistive Technology (AT)
When preparing for an interview, consider how you will read and write your answers to the questions you have prepared, especially considering your visual impairment. Also, consider which assistive technology will best help you ask questions and take notes during the interview.
Using Assistive Tech to Prepare for the Interview
Reflect on how you handle reading and taking notes in various settings. What technology have you used? Were you able to read the questions without difficulty? How accurate were your notes of the responses? During the interview, reading questions smoothly without losing your place, stammering, or needing to start over is important. Everyone’s technology needs are different, and you may even choose to prepare your questions in two different formats to ensure flexibility.
Using Assistive Tech to Ask Questions at the Interview
After the interview, review your list of potential questions. Based on the flow of the conversation, you may find that some questions need to be modified, skipped, or completely eliminated.
Sample questions could include:
- “What advancement opportunities are available within the company?”
- “Do you offer continuing education opportunities for professional development?”
- “How many people would I work with on the team?”
Conclusion
Preparing for an interview is important for individuals who are blind or have low vision. By preparing solid answers to common questions, you can ensure you’re not caught off guard. Being well-prepared helps reduce anxiety. It also allows you to navigate the interview confidently, knowing you’re ready to showcase your skills and experience and redirect questions about blindness.
This article is based on the APH ConnectCenter Job Seeker’s Toolkit, a free, self-paced, comprehensive, and accessible guide to the employment process. Enrolling in the Job Seeker’s Toolkit will provide further information on this topic. Course four includes information about the interview process.