Dyslexia - CV's and Cover letters

[m3sye]

If someone has dyslexia and they write a cover letter applying for a job and there is obvious mistakes should it be proof read and corrected or should it be left and it mentioned at the start of the letter that they have dyslexia?

[Stevenj214]

I think everyone should get their CV/Covering letter proofed by someone else regardless of disability or not.

Not being able to spell - not a problem.

Knowing that you can't spell but don't make an effort to minimalise the effect, especially for a first impression - a problem.

[c8bof]

Get someone to proofread it and make sure the mistakes are corrected. I wouldn't mention dyslexia until asked either... Bias against disability shouldn't happen, but it does, sadly.

[z4chris99]

I had a conversation with my brother about this last night, he had his royal marines AIB and struggles on the essay writing due to being very dyslexic. I said its no excuse, and from a employers point of view who would you rather employ? the guy who can spell or the guy who cant?

[KemP]

I don't put it on my CV or cover letter. Depending on what role I go for I may bring it up in the interview other wise I don't mention it. The CV should be proof read and spell checked regardless.

[rog007]

A high quality CV should be about selling yourself as competitively as possible in a crowded marketplace. It should be outcomes based, ideally include measurable impact, and follow a few industry prefered design protocols in order to curry favour with the recipients and their first sift processes. It should be error free to assist getting through that initial sift.

It should not include personal information like height, age, race or disabilities unless it is expressly linked to the requirements of the job application instructions. You should be hired based upon your competency for the role alone and nothing else. If however a disability does prevent you from being able to carry out a role, then it would not always be good practice to apply. If however a certain disability could still allow you to carry out a role, or carry it out with some adjustment to the workplace for example, then it would be reasonable to apply and expect fair consideration from any prospective employer. Good luck! Happy to help further if needed.

Edited by rog007 on Friday 23 March 08:55