Yes, this is what I would do. I’d definitely wear the glove, not a bandage - a flesh covered glove would be less conspicuous than a big white bandage, and if they attributed it to something like carpal tunnel that would be less likely to give them a gross mental image than a bandage would (for the same reason I would avoid mentioning the word “rash” or even anything about allergies unless they ask for details!).
I would be wary of “sharing too much”. They most likely aren’t interested in hearing the details when they haven’t even hired you yet, and might even resent you for wasting their time with a long explanation if they don’t care…so I think just saying something brief and vague about a “hand problem” is the best way to go unless they ask for more info.
Good luck!
After much consideration, I cast my vote for saying it’s an allergic reaction. In my limited understanding, eczema is allergy-like, so I don’t see that as a lie. As an interviewer, I would really like to know that it is not contagious. If you don’t tell me it’s not contagious, honestly, I will worry. I will throw out the pen you used … I will hesitate to introduce you to others. Once I know it’s not contagious, I’ll be cool with it. Also, IME you don’t want it to appear at all like carpal tunnel. First, there are those who will flat-out discriminate because they don’t want to deal with someone with an ongoing serious condition that will impact their work and probably wind up as surgery charged to their insurance at some point. Second, carpal tunnel triggers “fake injury to get out of work” in some people’s minds. That would lead me to recommend against the glove if it has a real splint-like look to it.
I once had a huge ugly oozing wound on the palm of my hand (due to clumsiness, not eczema) on a night when I had a big deal dinner party to attend. I had scrubbed out all the gravel in the shower (ow! ow! ouchy ouch ow!) and covered it with some kind of antibiotic ointment, and when I went out to meet people I sort of flipped my hand and said, “Can’t shake hands, but I’m pleased to meet you.”
Now I was mostly meeting mystery writers (Sue Grafton, Laurell Hamilton) but it was my publisher’s dinner so it was a big deal to me.
The good thing about that is that authors are really easy to distract, you just talk about their books, so dismissing the ugly oozing thing on my hand and making it very much NOT the focal point seemed to work. I’ll bet lawyers have their triggers, too. Make it really not the focal point, move on to other things.
If you have to cover it with something, cover it with whatever makes you feel most at ease.
(Probably this is why my publisher decided not to do a huge print run and advertising campaign. “We can’t send her out on a book tour. What if she waved that thing around on Oprah?” Damn.)
Uh uh. If you offer your left hand people tend to immediately decide you were raised by wolves. If it doesn’t fly for those of us who are left-handed, it won’t work for the op either. A one-handed person might get a pass.
I fall in with the say as little as possible crowd. “Sorry, it’s an allergic reaction” when you’re supposed to shake. Lying is right out, and saying it’s “allergies” makes it sound like it happens a lot - daily allergy med commercials and all that. Allergic reactions are less common, and I doubt the OP has icky hands too often.
I’d go with your flesh-colored glove, but accent it with flourishes of gauze bandage, just to cover all bases. If you go with just the glove, make it a dark one, wear dark glasses as well, dye your hair blond and speak in a strained, barely controlled German accent like Dr. Strangelove.
Well, thought you might all like to know how it went.
- I wore the flesh colored glove on my right and didn’t mention anything (he didn’t even glance at my hands).
- The interview went really well, the time just flew by and it was very enjoyable. I was lucky to be the first interviewee right after his lunch break. OTOH I saw the interview list and all the candidates were very highly qualified and personable so … we’ll see… crossing fingers please please please
Perfect! Good luck!
excellent!!!
thinking “get the job” thoughts for you.
Since it’s after the fact, can I just ask why so many people suggest referring to it as an allergy? It’s eczema. I’ve heard of it, big deal. My feeling was that if it came up, and you said “oh, I have eczema” that’s really all you need to say. Am I the only one who doesn’t really care about hearing the word eczema? Is everyone else out there grossed out by that word?
My reason for preferring “allergic reaction” to “eczema” in this case is to give the impression that this problem is temporary thing that is unlikely to impact work on an ongoing basis. That seems to be the case for the OP, but in my mind eczema is a chronic condition, which might result in some people frequently having a rash on their hands. Not that it’s the hugest deal in the world by any means, but if you’re trying to make the best possible impression in a job interview, tell the most positive version of the truth possible.
“Please pardon the shedding skin on my hands. I’m in the process of evolving into a higher life form that will rule the legal profession.”
Good luck with the job.
Well, if you don’t get the job and have to go back out on the interview circuit, may I suggest amputation?
Nothing says “trial attorney” like a hook for a hand.