Approaching job searching can sometimes be intimidating. Here are some things to remember when applying and interviewing for roles in the music industry as a disabled person, alongside some other useful resources. 

The application process

When applying for a role, it’s useful to tailor your application to the role that you’re applying for. That way, the hiring manager can see how your experience matches their ideal candidate. Consider the job requirements and person specification to do this.  

Often, an organisation will ask for a candidate that has: 

• Role-related experience. For example, administration, project management, marketing, and communications. 
• Responsibility-related experience. For example, developing plans or budgets, client communications and team management. 
• Skills. For example, communication, teamwork, and balancing deadlines. 

Refer to the skills and experience written in the job description and include them when writing your CV to tailor it to the role. 

If you have an impairment that affects writing, such as dyslexia, you could:  

• Use an online CV builder that has a spelling and grammar checker built in
• Use text-to-speech to read your writing back to you
• Get a friend or family member to proof-read your writing
• Consider a professional CV writing service (though there may be financial barriers to this)

A cover letter gives you the opportunity to further show the organisation how your experience makes you a good candidate for the role, while also showcasing your enthusiasm and personality. 

Scope UK and Support to Work   Support to Work is a free employment support programme for disabled people who are looking for paid work in England.   The programme links you with an employment advisor who can:  – Help with identifying strengths – Help you develop confidence  – Review your CV – Practice with you for interviews  – Talk about discussing impairments and reasonable adjustments   Scope UK can also offer in work support for those who find work while accessing support through this service. Find out more about Support to Work.

The interview process

Here’s some guidance on how the interview process is likely to look:

Reasonable adjustments

You are entitled to reasonable adjustments during a job interview under the Equality Act 2010. In preparation for the interview, email the hiring manager with any reasonable adjustments you may need during the interview. This could include level access, interview questions in advance, or notifying them that a personal assistant or BSL interpreter will be present.  

To ask for reasonable adjustments: 

• Think about exactly what will happen during the interview. Will it be a sit-down interview? Will you be presenting a piece of work? Will you be doing a trial shift? This information should be in your interview confirmation email. If it isn’t, send the hiring manager an email to clarify. 

• Think about what you need to know about the interview environment. For example, will there be level access? Does the interview room have fluorescent lighting? Will the interview room be near toilets? Does the interview space have an accessible toilet? 

Think about what your access requirements will be for the interview. Email the hiring manager with your reasonable adjustments. For example: 

• ‘I am a wheelchair user and will need step free access to the interview room. Would it be possible for us to use a different room for the interview?’ 

• ‘I have anxiety and struggle to think clearly when put on the spot. Would it be possible for you to send the interview questions in advance so that I can prepare to the best of my ability?’ 

• ‘I am a BSL user and will be bringing an interpreter to the interview.’ 

You can apply to Access to Work for reimbursement of funds used to pay for communication support during a job interview.

Preparing for an interview

Tips to bear in mind when preparing for a job interview:

• Research the organisation so that you have a good understanding of the structure and history
• If the interviewer doesn’t send the interview questions in advance, look into similar questions that get asked in your field of work. This way, you can prepare your answers as thoroughly as possible
• Practice the interview with a friend or family member, so you can get used to answering the questions in front of another person

Things to remember for and during the interview: 

• To help you feel more at ease, take notes with you into the interview. This allows you to prompt yourself to answer questions and takes the pressure off trying to remember what you have prepared
• If you are autistic or have anxiety, and eye contact is something that you dislike or makes you uncomfortable, try looking in between or at the interviewer’s eyebrows, or their forehead. Alternatively, you can let the interviewer know in advance (through your access requirements email) that you feel more comfortable not making eye contact
• Prepare a few questions you’d like to ask the interviewer. If you want to ask the interviewer about how accessible their workplace culture is, you could ask what their diversity and inclusion policies are or how they support team members to thrive at work
• You may have taken time away from employment because of your impairment or condition, and the hiring manager might ask about it in the interview. You don’t have to disclose anything you don’t want to

When job searching, remember that it’s as much about you choosing them as an employer as it is them choosing you as an employee. If you feel that a role or organisation isn’t the right fit for you, that’s okay. 

If you are part of the Beyond the Music Network and would like further advice on the job search process, contact [email protected] 

Find further resources, including interview question examples and useful webpages below.

Interview question examples

1. Tell us about yourself. 
2. Why do you want to work at [company or organisation]? 
3. Can you tell us about your experience in [eg., administration, events management, security, etc]? 
4. How do you respond when things don’t go to plan? 
5. How do you manage busy periods of work? 
6. How do you like to receive and act on feedback? 
7. Where do you see yourself in 5/10 years? 
8. How do you stay organised and keep track of your workload so that tasks aren’t forgotten? 

Useful webpages

• Careers in Music
• Prospects – ‘Careers in Music’, written by Emma Smith
• UK Music – ‘Careers in the Music Industry’
• Career Advice and Support for Disabled People
• Disability Rights UK – ‘Careers and work for disabled people’  
• Scope UK – Employment Services
• Scope UK – Support to Work
• Sense – Employment Support
• National Careers Service – ‘How to write a CV’
• National Careers Service – ‘How to write a cover letter’
• Indeed Careers – ‘How to Write an Entertainment Industry Cover Letter (With Tips and an Example)’
• National Careers Service – ‘Interview tips’
• Scope UK – ‘Managing stress and anxiety in job interviews’
• Scope UK – ‘Asking for adjustments at interview’