Forum: workplace.stackexchange.com
Tags: <interviewing>
Title: Should I clarify my facial injury during an interview?
Question: Last Saturday, I got in a snowboarding accident that resulted in a very noticeable facial injury. While the worst of it has already healed, a large portion of the wound is still healing up and will likely not finish healing up until next week.  Tomorrow I have an interview and am wondering if I should address this facial injury during the interview or just stay mute about it. I'm concerned whether or not the injury could have a negative impression before the interview starts.

Answers:
sents: text: Short answer, YES Long answer, yes, of course!
text: Basically, this is going to impact on your interview either way.
text: Don't address it, you're that guy who gets in fights and shows up to work like this.
text: Explain it
text: and you're the risk-taker who might end up on extended sick leave from a silly accident.
text: However, the latter is certainly preferable, and might show that you are a fun person to work with.
text: If you can make a little light from it, that would help
answer_details: author: workplace.stackexchange.com/users/58082/JohnHC
score: 118
sents: text: It would be negative if you didn't mention it at all, because that leaves the interviewer to assume the worst - that you were in a fight.
text: By addressing it at the first meet, it would also be an icebreaker - and a way for them to ask you about what you do in your spare time outside of work, and establish a more casual atmosphere - which is usually great in
text: job interviews(It shows that you're a human!)
answer_details: author: workplace.stackexchange.com/users/46711/cbll
score: 46
sents: text: I would mention it.
text: They are going to be curious and will avoid asking as it could be personal.
answer_details: author: workplace.stackexchange.com/users/26028/paparazzo
score: 9
sents: text: Address it quickly and matter-of-factly.
text: Add a little humor if you want, but you should move on quickly.
text: Even if your injury comes up again later in the interview, just smile and steer the conversation back to the interview.
text: You want to address it but not for it to dominate the interview.
answer_details: author: workplace.stackexchange.com/users/65000/WIll
score: 7
sents: text: My wife had once an interview in a very formal place.
text: Of course she left all her stuff in the train she was taking the night before.
text: She went to the interview in jeans, t-shirt and trainers.
text: When she got into the interview room there was some silence - more surprised than anythng else, as everyone knew she normally would be dressed conservatively.
text: She started by shortly explaining what happened, everyone smiled and then proceeded to the interview.
text: She got the job and was told later by her boss that she made the interview "memorable".
text: So just be natural, smile and go ahead Be glad not to be this guy whose friends put a lock around his neck before his interview
text: (I cannot find the original picture, the one above is from another prank )
answer_details: author: workplace.stackexchange.com/users/25229/WoJ
score: 6
sents: text: I'm surprised the five answers here so far all advocate, rather assuredly, that you should explain your injury first thing.
text: I've worked with a bunch of people that wouldn't give a rat's ass why you have an injury.
text: They're there to figure out whether you have the skills to do the job and whether you will work well in their organization.
text: Spending that time discussing your injury wouldn't even cross their minds.
text: I would also say that as an interviewee, don't forget that you are also screening them .
text: Do you really want to work with people who are so concerned about why you were injured?
text: Is that really the most important thing for them to be thinking about?
text: Of course, if you really need the job and opportunities aren't looking great, yes, you can cover your bases by explaining your injury.
text: But keep this in mind: not only would an interviewer who is suspicious enough to think you got into a fight be suspicious enough to think you are making up an excuse, but focusing on your injury first thing shows a lack of confidence.
answer_details: author: workplace.stackexchange.com/users/2361/Chan-Ho Suh
score: 2
sents: text: Yes- Taking responsibility is a rare trait in the workplace!
text: Add humour, too. "
text: Snowboarding!
text: __ years & tried something new & learned a few do's & don'ts for next time.
text: My grandpa always said a day without learning is a sad day, indeed.
text: What's the hardest learning experience/impact that's been "worked around", over here?"
text: Turning around the normal Q of "what was your hardest experience"& venturing into trading war-stories, creates more human rapport
text: (repoire is the sales-lingo typo) & memorability.
text: You have memorability all-ready nailed down!
text: Now tack onto it!
text: Good luck & have fun with it!
text: Jobs, like many things in life, are #s games.
text: But make sure you have researched highlights that interest you about the co.
text: Copy them into a doc & read them repeatedly,esp.
text: if you are interviewing w/ mult.
text: co's
text: (& don't want to mix up facts!)
answer_details: author: workplace.stackexchange.com/users/65046/TeslaCoiled
score: 1

Summary of the answers:
It would be a good idea to mention it in the beginning but don't go into too much detail. If you don't mention it then the interviewer might think you were in a fight.
It would generally be advisable to explain your injury, even if only briefly. Not mentioning it at all could be seen negatively, but don't allow it to overshadow your interview.