# Interviewing for a Job Whilst in a Cast: Any Hope? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 14, 2007, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interviewing-for-a-job-whilst-in-a-cast-any-hope/422672 "2007-10-14T14:06:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2007, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interviewing-for-a-job-whilst-in-a-cast-any-hope/422672/21 "2007-10-15T01:35:46Z")
[QUOTE=NinjaChick] Can’t you just get some clippers and a helping hand (I imagine yard clippers would work) and cut it off? [/QUOTE] Yes, but then I’d have to explain all the stitches & staples. :eek: 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2007, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interviewing-for-a-job-whilst-in-a-cast-any-hope/422672/22 "2007-10-15T02:06:55Z")
It could make for a great answer to that stupid question about “What do you consider your areas of weakness?” “Right now? Tennis.” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![SailedTheOceanBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85f322/32.png) [@SailedTheOceanBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SailedTheOceanBlue)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2007, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interviewing-for-a-job-whilst-in-a-cast-any-hope/422672/23 "2007-10-15T02:25:42Z")
[QUOTE=EJsGirl] It could make for a great answer to that stupid question about “What do you consider your areas of weakness?” “Right now? Tennis.” 😃 [/QUOTE] Haha, perfect! ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Il\_Palazzo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Lord\_Il\_Palazzo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Il_Palazzo)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2007, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interviewing-for-a-job-whilst-in-a-cast-any-hope/422672/24 "2007-10-15T02:37:55Z")
If you don’t mind my asking, how exactly did you arrive at the conclusion that having your arm in a cast would be a negative for a job interview? Unless your interviewing for a job that requires a lot of physical labor, I would think that no one would mind as long as it looked presentable. ---
**Author:** ![Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harriet_the_Spry)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2007, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interviewing-for-a-job-whilst-in-a-cast-any-hope/422672/25 "2007-10-15T02:43:52Z")
Speaking from HR experience, a cast is unlikely to lower your chances at any but the chintziest employers. If they would hold that against you, you really don’t want to work there. There are slightly more employers who will hold something against an applicant who appears to have a chronic health problem. But this is the classic example of a one-time thing. However, does it really take an orthopedist to remove a cast? From an arm? You might at least give your local urgent care a call and see if they would do it. I’ve had a much more substantial cast removed and they really do just go at you with a big pair of clippers. Not rocket surgery at all. ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2007, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interviewing-for-a-job-whilst-in-a-cast-any-hope/422672/26 "2007-10-15T02:54:41Z")
IANAD, but I must say two things. Do NOT remove the cast by yourself. And do NOT spray anything (febreze) inside the cast. A cast shouldn’t be detrimental to your interview. Uncontrollable itchiness might. Even if just by being terribly distracting both to you and to your interviewer. If the smell is strong enough that it could be felt by your interviewer accross the room, then you need to see your doctor. Otherwise, just wear a clean sling. If you feel the cast if just to messed up to match your best outfit, then just go to your doctor, explain the situation and ask him to change you into a newer, fresher cast. He should be glad to charge you, er, help you. ---
**Author:** ![Zulema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/db5fbb/32.png) [@Zulema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zulema)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2007, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interviewing-for-a-job-whilst-in-a-cast-any-hope/422672/27 "2007-10-15T13:21:06Z")
As a former cast wearer I recommend that you don’t spray anything on it to cut down the smell. Two weeks of anything perfumey can get pretty sickening. If it looks really grubby you can wrap it in an ACE bandage which also helps keep the smell from wafting away from your arm. ---
**Author:** ![MarcusF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/67e7ee/32.png) [@MarcusF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MarcusF)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2007, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interviewing-for-a-job-whilst-in-a-cast-any-hope/422672/28 "2007-10-15T13:52:31Z")
As someone who has sat on a fair number of interview panels I would say it will make absolutely no difference. I am normally so desparate to find someone who can do the job well - having wasted ages with complete idiots who hope I won’t notice they can’t do half the things they claim they can do in their CV - the last thing I’m going to worry about is a broken limb. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2007, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interviewing-for-a-job-whilst-in-a-cast-any-hope/422672/29 "2007-10-15T14:22:28Z")
Don’t worry about it, and I don’t know that you even have to comment on it. Everyone knows a cast is temporary so they shouldn’t have any worries about it affecting anything about your future performance. And [over here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=439558) \*\*Hello Again \*\* had a “gross rash” that he covered with gloves and the interviewer didn’t even notice. If you did remove it and are worried about the stitches and staples, then an Ace bandage would work to make it look not very noticeable at all. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2007, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interviewing-for-a-job-whilst-in-a-cast-any-hope/422672/30 "2007-10-16T00:23:43Z")
[QUOTE=gigi] If you did remove it and are worried about the stitches and staples, then an Ace bandage would work to make it look not very noticeable at all. [/QUOTE] Thank you! btw, there are no stitches/surgical staples in it now. I just figured that if I tried to remove a cast with garden shears single-handed and lefty that the ER staff might get a good laugh on an otherwise slow night. “No…really…how’d it happen…?” :rolleyes: 😃 ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2007, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interviewing-for-a-job-whilst-in-a-cast-any-hope/422672/31 "2007-10-16T16:32:49Z")
[QUOTE=Count Blucher] Thank you! btw, there are no stitches/surgical staples in it now. I just figured that if I tried to remove a cast with garden shears single-handed and lefty that the ER staff might get a good laugh on an otherwise slow night. “No…really…how’d it happen…?” :rolleyes: 😃 [/QUOTE] Ah! Got it :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2007, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interviewing-for-a-job-whilst-in-a-cast-any-hope/422672/32 "2007-10-16T16:43:40Z")
I can sort of see how the OP might think a cast could hurt his job chances. Maybe an employer wouldn’t think ‘Cast? No way am I hiring that person!’ but there is sort of a subconscious aversion to hiring ‘sick’ people. It’s retarded, I know, but I’ve worked with people who were coughing from Day One and never really got better, or constantly in slings, down with the flu, slipping on ice (and no, they weren’t being abused). They can be a real pain, even if they don’t seem to be at fault. (This is all different from physically disabled people or those with real conditions) So a little shrug and a ‘rollerblading’ might help quash any fears about chronic illness or extended absence. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2007, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interviewing-for-a-job-whilst-in-a-cast-any-hope/422672/33 "2007-10-17T17:37:44Z")
Posted as a follow-up: I just came back from the interview and I think that I nailed every point. I was able to relate the job function into practical terms and in ways that showed that I not only listened to what they said, but was thinking beyond it. I was able to promote my local residence as a plus, negating lateness as well as offerring a built in ability to work late or weekends as needed. But, above all, thanks to the posters of the Dope, I was able to turn that cast from a self-conscious negative into an ice-breaking plus. I won’t know if this will go anywhere for a while (the hiring manager is on vacation) and there would probably have to be a second interview at the very least before any offer letter would get issued. But, I wouldn’t have gotten even this far without the help, advice an POV of **Agent Foxtrot** , **LSLGuy** , **ASAKMOTSD** , **Khadaji** , **Northern Piper** , **Rick** , **fruitbat** , **Martiju** , **Otto** , **Alistair McCello** , **PunditLisa** , **Absolute** , **Steve Wright** , **Atomicktom** , **Siege** , **ladybug** , **NinjaChick** , **EJsGirl** (Whose line “Right about now? Tennis.” I owe a Royalty for 😃 ), **SailedTheOceanBlue** , **Lord Il Palazzo** , **Harriet the Spry** , **Sapo** , **SP2263** , **MarcusF** , **gigi** , and **Cat Fight**. My thanks to each and every one of you!!! Now, I’m off to write Thank You notes to everyone I interviewed with at that firm today… ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2007, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interviewing-for-a-job-whilst-in-a-cast-any-hope/422672/34 "2007-10-17T18:20:56Z")
Woo hoo! I hope it works out for you. And good on you for writing thank-you notes. ---
**Author:** ![ladybug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/46a35a/32.png) [@ladybug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladybug)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interviewing-for-a-job-whilst-in-a-cast-any-hope/422672/35 "2007-10-18T00:00:50Z")
That’s great news! It sounds like you’re a perfect match for the job. 🙂 Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interviewing-for-a-job-whilst-in-a-cast-any-hope/422672/36 "2007-10-18T16:53:04Z")
[QUOTE=Harriet the Spry] Speaking from HR experience, a cast is unlikely to lower your chances at any but the chintziest employers. If they would hold that against you, you really don’t want to work there… [/QUOTE] Word. Now that you’ve had the interview, it’s a moot point. But if you were interviewing with, say, the XYZ Corp., I’d find out who XYZ’s chief business rival was and explain in the interview that I broke my arm when I was recently at a party with that rival’s CEO. When he bad-mouthed XYZ, “I just had to kill him. His goons tackled me, and that’s how I broke my arm!” ---
**Author:** ![Martiju](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e8c25b/32.png) [@Martiju](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martiju)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interviewing-for-a-job-whilst-in-a-cast-any-hope/422672/37 "2007-10-18T21:09:51Z")
[QUOTE=Count Blucher] But, above all, thanks to the posters of the Dope, I was able to turn that cast from a self-conscious negative into an ice-breaking plus. I won’t know if this will go anywhere for a while (the hiring manager is on vacation) and there would probably have to be a second interview at the very least before any offer letter would get issued. But, I wouldn’t have gotten even this far without the help, advice an POV of **Agent Foxtrot** , **LSLGuy** , **ASAKMOTSD** , **Khadaji** , **Northern Piper** , **Rick** , **fruitbat** , **Martiju** , **Otto** , **Alistair McCello** , **PunditLisa** , **Absolute** , **Steve Wright** , **Atomicktom** , **Siege** , **ladybug** , **NinjaChick** , **EJsGirl** (Whose line “Right about now? Tennis.” I owe a Royalty for 😃 ), **SailedTheOceanBlue** , **Lord Il Palazzo** , **Harriet the Spry** , **Sapo** , **SP2263** , **MarcusF** , **gigi** , and **Cat Fight**. My thanks to each and every one of you!!! [/QUOTE] Aw, thanks for the thanks! What a great community we are sometimes! ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2007, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interviewing-for-a-job-whilst-in-a-cast-any-hope/422672/38 "2007-11-21T00:57:16Z")
People, I owe an update. I was called back to a second interview & I was hoping I wouldn’t blow it. I dressed to impress: contacts, pinstripe suite, white suite shirt, red tie. These were the 4th and 5th person I’ve met re: the job respectively, and I wanted them to know that I was serious about the job. I knew the subject matter cold. I made sure I smiled. (Its sounds stupid, but sometimes when I concentrate on things, or if I’m worried, I really can forget. :smack: But I was really pro-actively social today. ) I made light banter, showed I was interested in them as well as the job, and even had them laughing at points (seperate interviews). But…I made some screw-ups. :smack: :smack: :smack: :smack: :smack: Strike One: It was mentioned to me that this job isn’t for someone looking to come in to be CEO. I explained that I was hoping to have the opportunity to work at this job and that I’d be fully happy with it. (the Truth) But I got the feeling that perhaps I might have over-sold myself. [Chandler Bing]“Ya think…?” [/Chandler Bing] Strike Two: “So what can this company offer you?” “Well, its a solid company with good benefits and its located very close to my home so I’d never have an excuse to ever be late. Also, with the tuition reimbursement, I might be able to get my educational ducks in a row by completing my MBA”. “Tuition reimbursement is limited to courses directly related to your job. You wouldn’t need an MBA here.” :smack: :smack: :smack: :smack: :smack: :smack: :smack: _remove Florsheim from mouth_ Last but not least, neither gave me a business card (so I can’t send a ‘thank you’ note) and the last one indicated “I think there’s still someone else in the running. The recruiter will let you know…” as she walked me out. Talk about ‘crash & burn’… ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2007, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interviewing-for-a-job-whilst-in-a-cast-any-hope/422672/39 "2007-11-21T11:33:12Z")
Congratulations on the call back. I wouldn’t worry about not getting a business card - I hate 'em and don’t carry and don’t hand them out. I’m sure I’m not unique. Sending lucky thoughts your way. ---
**Author:** ![Siege](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dbc845/32.png) [@Siege](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siege)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2007, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interviewing-for-a-job-whilst-in-a-cast-any-hope/422672/40 "2007-11-21T11:47:09Z")
You do remember the name of the people you met, right? Send them the letter anyway, and maybe even see if you can undo the MBA gaff. If nothing else, it will show initiative. Congratulations on the second interview. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interviewing-for-a-job-whilst-in-a-cast-any-hope/422672.md?page=1)