Disability Discrimination Legislation requires employers of more than fifteen people to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ for the recruitment and employment of people with disabilities. Depending on your circumstances, employers can apply for financial help towards the cost of any particular equipment and alterations to the workplace.
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You can describe your disability in a positive light, as well as any positive implications it has had on your life – it is up to you to get that point across to employers. You are not obliged to inform the employer of any disabilities you may have. If you are dyslexic, and you need special equipment to do your job, you may choose to disclose this on your CV by stating it in a specific context.
If you have a disability, you may have developed many positive attributes because of it. You may be very logical, have a good memory and be very determined. All these features will add value to your CV and should be added.
A guide to disclosing your disability is available from the National Bureau for Students with Disabilities (Skill). Phone 0800 328 5050 or download it from their website.
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As a general rule, a photo should never be included with your CV unless you are applying for acting/modelling/hostess work.
Without a photo, you are guaranteeing that you are judged on your skills and experience. If a photo is included, the reader may judge you on your looks (either consciously or subconsciously), and there is no way to guess what looks will appeal to them.
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If you have not had any work experience yet, you can use the other sections on your CV to ensure that the recipient sees you as having the skills that they need. For example, you can emphasise the skills from different areas of your life through a profile or key skills sections. You can also add details under your Education or Achievements section. (find details for each of these sections under ‘Contents’)
If you are unable to demonstrate that you have the skills needed, consider working part-time, volunteering for a charity organisation, or doing work experience to build evidence of your skills and gain references.
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It is important to adapt the contents and layout of your CV so that the recipient sees you as a member of the industry you are targeting. There are a number of ways you can do this:
Some people choose to focus on relevant industry experience only and do not include any unrelated positions. Others choose to include unrelated positions, focusing on the responsibilities that highlight the transferable skills they have gained.
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If you have not had any work experience yet, you can use the other sections on your CV to ensure that the recipient sees you as having the skills that they need. Try to highlight the skills you have gained more prominently than the positions you have held. This can be done through a profile or key skills section at the beginning of your CV.
You may wish to include some details under your qualifications. This could include the modules you studied, skills gained, your final dissertation, or collaborative projects with employers/external organisations if they are relevant. When describing work experience that is unrelated to the industry you are aiming for, only include responsibilities that highlight the transferable skills that are relevant.
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As a mature student you have a depth and range of skills that less experienced candidates will not have - such as knowledge, flexibility, or positions of responsibility. It is important that your CV highlights the relevant education and skills for the industry you are aiming for, but you can also focus on the skills you have gained through maturity and previous experience, to make yourself stand out from the crowd.
This can be done through a profile or key skills section at the beginning of your CV, and by carefully choosing the responsibilities that you list under work experience or employment. Some mature students, prefer to create a skills-based CV. This is a CV with an expanded skills section to ensure that the reader focuses on the skills you have gained more than the positions you have held. Finally, you may also want to address the reasons why you have changed careers in your cover letter.
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If your application is unsuccessful it is fine to contact the recipient to ask for feedback on your CV and application, in order to find out what to improve for next time. Some employers may be too busy, but most will be happy to reply.
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The answer to this may depend on the nature of the gap on your CV. For example, if you have undertaken activities that are not work-related but can be seen in a positive light - such as travelling, raising children, or caring for a family member - it is best to simply state these on your CV (make sure you can talk constructively about the experience and identify the skills you've gained from it).
If, however, you include an explanation for a gap or situation on your CV that can be perceived as negative, it may put most readers off. In this case it is best to leave the gap unexplained on your CV. If the rest of the CV is impressive, you will still be asked to interview. At interview, you will probably be asked to explain the gap, but at this point, you will be speaking in person, and your answer will be taken in the context of how well you do in the rest of your interview, and how well you get on with the interviewer.
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