Interview skills associated with employment recommendations for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities

ABSTRACT

Background

Mock or practice interviews have become a typical tool for transition programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Method

We examined what interview skills were most associated with subsequent employment for individuals intellectual and developmental disabilities via practice interviews. The likelihood of employment was measured as a function of whether the interviewer responded that they would hire the individual.

Results

Results indicate that the following job interview skills were considered most important were: sits still and straight; understandable speech; good posture; appropriate voice; and appropriate handshake.

Conclusions

As these potential employers had hired individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, we suggest that their feedback would be particularly relevant.

KEYWORDS:

• Practice interview
• mock interview
• intellectual disability
• developmental disability

Acknowledgements

Research reported in this manuscript was supported by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the US Department of Education under award number P407A150078. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the US Department of Education.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This project described was supported by the Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) (grant number P407A150078, 2015). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of TPSID.