Frequently asked questions

For Candidates:

Q: Who will be using this information? Q: Will answering these questions be used against me? Q: Do I get any information back at the end of the process? Q: I am not disabled, is this relevant for me? Q: How long will it take me to complete the questionnaire? Q: I cannot use a computer – is it possible to get a copy in a different format? Q: Do I have to fill it in all at once even if I am just sending in an application? Q: I have a specific disability. Rather than go through this process could I not just call someone and tell them about it?

For Recruiters:

Q: Will candidates be prepared to complete this questionnaire; we find it difficult to get people to fill out a monitoring form? Q: Will ClearTalents™ work with our existing systems and processes? Q: How long are the reports, recruiters really don't have much time to read big pieces of information? Q: Will we get lots of reasonable adjustment requests and not be able to manage them? Q: I am concerned that this will result in loads of claims from people who have completed the questionnaire and then do not get shortlisted, is this the case? Q: We have loads of people involved in recruitment, how do we make sure that everyone gets the right information? Q: What if a candidate really needs to have someone work with them to understand their needs – maybe it's a complex mental health issue or something?

For Candidates:

Q: Who will be using this information

A: The information will be used by ClearTalents™ where an expert team has been assembled to help the employer put in place anything that needs to be done for you to perform at your best. The information is shared on a "need to know" basis with only those people responsible for making changes or supporting you along the way

Q: Will answering these questions be used against me?

A: ClearTalents™ is a significant commitment in terms of time and resources by employers to make sure that they can support your needs in recruitment. They are most unlikely to have made that commitment if they were not intending to use it positively. ClearTalents™ employers are really keen to remove barriers for you and they cannot do that without your input. 

Q: Do I get any information back at the end of the process?

A: Absolutely – you get a  report, which summarises what you have told us and provides you with useful resources and contacts you can follow up that could help you even more. People have found new sources of information and learnt handy tips that help them and increase their confidence

Q: I am not disabled, is this relevant for me?

A: This questionnaire isn't only meant for people with a disability, but the only way you are going to find out whether it's for you is by completing the questionnaire. ClearTalents™ is not only there to overcome barriers that a disabled person may face in recruitment and employment but also to overcome barriers that having caring responsibilities, being of a particular race or culture or being transgender, for example, may present.

Q: How long will it take me to complete the questionnaire?

A: Only a few minutes. For many people it takes less than five minutes. If you have a lot to tell us or want to have a look around the resources it may take you a little longer.

Q:I cannot use a computer – is it possible to get a copy in a different format?

A: Absolutely, we can provide an alternative format or arrange for you to answer questions over the phone if you like: contact 0845 2930963 to discuss this or email enquiries@theclearcompany.co.uk

Q:Do I have to fill it in all at once even if I am just sending in an application?

A: No you can fill it in in stages if you like but we would really encourage you to fill in as much as you can as soon as you can. The earlier we know about things we can do to support you the easier it is to effectively put them in place.

Q:I have a specific disability. Rather than go through this process could I not just call someone and tell them about it?

A: You could and most good recruitment processes will have a help line on the website or application process.  However research proves that as we are all individuals the recruiter cannot reasonably be expected to know what to do in all circumstances and may not be aware of what is going to make the most difference for you. By completing ClearTalents™ you might find out things you did not know were available to support you and the recruiter will get support in putting things in place for you from the start.

For Recruiters:

Q:Will candidates be prepared to complete this questionnaire; we find it difficult to get people to fill out a monitoring form?

A: ClearTalents™ have spent significant time researching what the candidate is both prepared to do and will respond to positively. ClearTalents™ doesn't feel like a questionnaire and we are finding that candidates are taking the time to complete it accurately and thoughtfully. Monitoring feels impersonal and like a tick box exercise unless it is very skilfully managed. ClearTalents™ is warm and supportive, relevant and informative, candidates love it and learn from it – and it only takes a few minutes.

Q:Will ClearTalents work with our existing systems and processes?

A: Absolutely, ClearTalents™ is designed to fit anywhere and everywhere within your recruitment process depending on your organisation's needs. You can integrate it fully or have it as a separate report – up to you.  In our experience, reasonable adjustments need to be at point of need so we highly recommend an approach that takes the information to the relevant person and does not rely on them having to reach out for it.

Q:How long are the reports, recruiters really don't have much time to read big pieces of information?

A: Nor do they have time to research information, find the right person to ask or have a number of calls with the candidate before getting to a solution. ClearTalents™ gives information in short powerful nuggets to the relevant person.  Acting a bit like a Satnav system, it provides the information you want at the point you need it. The report is modular so you can dip in and out of the relevant bits - with more information for those that require it always available, whilst headline facts and actions are right there in front of you at every stage.

Q:Will we get lots of reasonable adjustment requests and not be able to manage them?

A: No, that's the key point to ClearTalents™ really. At the moment you are likely to be getting no or few requests which would suggest that either people are not choosing to give you the information (statistically 1 in 5 people of working age are disabled) or you are getting lots of requests and perhaps struggling to respond to them adequately. ClearTalents™ gets the information from the candidate and gives it to you along with the solution ready to put in place so it will not feel overwhelming or daunting, just sensible and appropriate.

Q:I am concerned that this will result in loads of claims from people who have completed the questionnaire and then do not get shortlisted, is this the case?

A: It's highly unlikely and moreover you can put measures in place to minimise this risk. ClearTalents™ is very clear in the messaging to the candidate and, by providing it at the front of your recruitment process, your organisation has shown the level of commitment that exists behind your obvious good intentions as an inclusive employer. 

The information the candidate gives is only shared at the relevant point. For example if you are sifting applications you do not need to know the candidate is a wheelchair user as no adjustment is required at that point. Of course ClearTalents™ cannot manage the recruitment process for you, but if you follow the best practice advice provided in the report, ClearTalents™ gives you a nice audit trail of your reasonable adjustment practice. For more information on recruitment best practice visit the online recruitment resource ClearKit.

Q:We have loads of people involved in recruitment, how do we make sure that everyone gets the right information?

A: ClearTalents™ manages that for you; once a job is set up the stakeholders will receive information relevant to them and at the appropriate time. We appreciate also that things change with new people getting involved so it's a very simple process to change the reporting recipients.

Q: What if a candidate really needs to have someone work with them to understand their needs – maybe it's a complex mental health issue or something?

A: ClearTalents™ aims to deal with the majority of common or predictable adjustments in a timely and sensitive way, however it recognises that for some candidates the personal involvement of an expert is going to be appropriate. In these cases ClearTalents™ will report to the recruiter the need to involve an expert, confirm the expert requirement and direct them to someone who can provide that expertise.