Does having a mild disability improve hiring chances?
Will be applying to IBD summer internship roles in London this coming year. Have two solid/exclusive internships under the belt already, one at a top 10 AUM AM firm, other one in boutique private equity (around $1b USD AUM), each with significant responsibilities. Am also a student-athlete, and lead a few investment clubs. However, as a straight white male, despite being at a semi-target (think Durham, Edinburgh, or St Andrews), and a non-EU international student, I have recently been slaughtered in spring week applications. Received a grand total of 0 interviews out of 10 applications (that said only applied to BB/top MM banks), even despite scoring high on the ACs.
That said, I noticed there is an option in each application to list a disability. I always thought this would serve a disadvantage. However, after seeing majority (80% and up) spring insight participates being diversity candities, I was wondering if listing a mild disability that serves as zero impediment to my daily life/company expense be an advantage? For the record, it is quite a niche form of cardiovascular heart disease, that has zero implication on my life expectancy/quality of life, but rather is the consequence of family history. Even calling it cardiovascular disease is quite excessive and sounds significantly, it literally is just a mild form of hypertension that is unique to young people. Have played national level and team 1 university level sports without even knowing it existed, it is that minor. Only learned about it as the result of a doctors visit last week.
Should I put it down? Despite strong experience I am concerned that approaching internships with the same tactic will yield 0 interviews as well, and I think a change of strategy is in order. Please lmk if I should pursue this.
Based on the WSO threads discussing disability and IB recruiting, it's important to consider several factors when deciding whether to disclose a disability on your internship applications. Here are some insights and strategies:
Disclosure as a Strategic Decision: In the context of investment banking and competitive internships, the decision to disclose a disability can be strategic. Some firms are actively seeking to increase diversity, which includes hiring neurodiverse and disabled candidates. However, it's crucial to understand the firm's specific policies and their history with diversity initiatives.
Impact on Application: Disclosing a disability that does not impact your ability to perform the job should not theoretically disadvantage your application. In fact, for firms with strong diversity and inclusion programs, it might even help your application stand out. However, this depends heavily on the company culture and the specifics of the disability.
Research the Firms: Before deciding to disclose, research each firm’s stance on diversity and inclusion. Look for any programs or initiatives aimed at neurodiversity or disability inclusion. This can give you a better idea of how your disclosure might be received.
Consider the Nature of the Disability: Since the disability you mentioned (a mild form of hypertension) does not affect your daily activities or require accommodations, it might not be relevant to the job application process. Disclosing it could introduce unnecessary complexity into your application unless it directly relates to the diversity initiatives of the firm.
Personal Comfort and Ethics: It's also important to consider your comfort level with disclosing personal medical information and the ethical implications. If the condition does not impact your job performance and requires no accommodation, you might choose to keep this private.
Consult with Advisors: If possible, discuss your situation with a career advisor or mentor who understands the specific dynamics of the finance industry. They can provide personalized advice based on your complete profile and career aspirations.
In summary, while disclosing a disability can be part of a diversity strategy in applications, it should be done thoughtfully and with an understanding of the specific firm's culture and policies regarding diversity and inclusion.
Sources: International Student - Chance of getting an IBD internship in London?, Mental disability & IB, Disclosing disability, Disability IB Recruiting
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