Thread: CV for first timer!

Big son is cobbling together a CV, should he include that he has special needs?

I'm thinking no because of equality & diversity etc etc.


Anyone have any clues?

Ta muchly xxx

No I wouldn't include it, Equality Act now means there's lots of things employers can't ask, until offers have been made.
I think they can ask if there are any adjustments which they may need to make for someone to do the role.

Would his needs mean he will need extra support to do the job safely and to the full requested standard?

I'd be pretty pee'd off if my little man applied for a job as a grief counsellor, even if he did have the paper qualifications and turned up with his level of social difficulties due to his aspergers!

Judge the size of the company against his ability to do the job without them incurring extra expenses as well or he might find himself in a job with a company working to get rid of him which won't help his sense of self worth.

Actually Boots, this is a hard one that I haven't thought about having to face as yet (he's only little!) and is pretty f*cking depressing!

Beebs x :-(

No, definately don't mention any special need on a CV - in much the same way as not including one's year of birth.

However, some companies will ask for a "equality" box to be ticked during the application or interview process, so just keep your eyes open for that.

I don't know how it works in the private sector but I work in the NHS and everything is done by application form and not CV and there is a section on the standard application form that asks about disabilities etc. When I put together the shortlisting packs for the panel this section of the form is removed so they shortlist 'blind' so to speak and the first time that they are aware that a candidate has any type of disability or special needs is when the job has been informally offered (usually subject to Occupational Health clearance and references). We are no longer even allowed to ask about sickness at this stage. I wouldn't put it on a CV but I would put it on an application form if the information is asked for.

He has language processing difficulties and delayed speech and as such can come across as a bit like a village idiot. Paper qualifications he looks like a ferkin genius but boy he can be hard work!
I'm willing to go along and explain his difficulties but at 17 that's not a good move.

He's after pan bashing in a pub, restaurant etc. Nando's are looking for a grill attendant.
I'm not keen on the Nando's job as its a busy high pressure job, Jesus that sounds lame it's only flipping chicken pieces about. I just don't want him to get into something that will totally confuse him, someone barking orders at him will make him go into shut down mode.

I'll give it to the kid he's more than willing to go for anything he's still on a Glasto high!

He may well thrive in an environment like Nando's or Maccy Dee's. The work is repetitive, procedural and he has constant instruction and motivation at all times and that kind of work gives instant results which is another bonus. If he is going in as a trainee then it is up to his supervisor to train him properly.

FWIW, I have similar concerns and have just organised my son's Year 11 work experience placement in a public library, purely for the reasons stated above and the fact it has the added bonuses of interaction with the public, limited noise and its a calm environment. His other choices were at museums but they were fully booked. Would he enjoy working somewhere like a library or museum?

TLC
x

Is there any way he could put a positive spin on his learning issues?
For example, in the personal bit where you sell yourself, saying 'whilst I have learning difficulties that manifest themselves in an inability to sometimes find the right word, or difficulty getting a word out, I have an excellent retentive memory and pick new skills up very quickly as my motor and memory skills are enhanced by my condition'....or something along those lines??

That's a possibility, but make it a "bad news sandwich" - i.e. good positive stuff, one negative slice, then end on the positive stuff again.

Thank you ladies, all help gratefully received.

Abode are after kitchen staff so fingers crossed, I'd love him to work for them

Don't want big son in a quiet environment we are a noisy house and his SLT recommends that he continues with lots of interaction with individuals, basically where he has no choice but to speak!