Job Interview and Vocational Outcomes Among Transition-Age Youth Receiving Special Education Pre-Employment Transition Services.
Survey shows the first job usually follows an interview—so add interview-skill targets to every transition plan.
01Research in Context
What this study did
A research team mailed a short survey to 656 special-education students .
All youths were still in school and getting pre-employment transition services.
The survey asked one key question: did you work last year and, if so, did you interview first?
What they found
Only one in five youths (20.8 %) had any paid job.
Of those who did work, almost nine in ten (88.8 %) had to sit through a job interview.
The numbers say interview skills may be the gate that opens the first paycheck.
How this fits with other research
Morgan et al. (2014) ran a small RCT that proves interview skills can be taught. Their 12-week group class helped autistic adults shine in mock interviews.
Sung et al. (2019) added an 8-week work-social-skills program for young adults with ASD. Both studies extend the survey warning: if interviews are the gate, we already own the key.
Storch et al. (2012) looked at the same NLTS-2 survey wave and found students with autism or ID rarely lead their own IEP meetings. Together the papers paint a full picture: students need both a seat at the planning table and direct teaching of interview skills.
Why it matters
You can add a simple line to every transition IEP: "Student will practice answering common interview questions until he gives three clear examples in 90 seconds." No extra funding is needed; use lunch periods or job-coach time. Start with the Lindee curriculum, embed Connie’s social-skills drills, and track trials like any other skill. The survey says the interview is the real test before the first job—let’s teach to that test.
Want CEUs on This Topic?
The ABA Clubhouse has 60+ free CEUs — live every Wednesday. Ethics, supervision & clinical topics.
Join Free →Run a 5-minute mock interview during the next session; score eye contact, 3-part answers, and greeting.
02At a glance
03Original abstract
Vocational outcomes among transition-age youth receiving special education services are critically poor and have only incrementally improved since the implementation of the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act. Few studies highlight whether interviewing may be critical to obtaining vocational outcomes such as competitive employment or internships. This study evaluated vocational interviewing and outcomes among 656 transition-age youth receiving special education pre-employment transition services from 47 schools. Results suggest 20.8% of these youth were currently employed, and 88.8% of these employed youth interviewed prior to obtaining their job, which is higher than anecdotal evidence suggests and speaks to the importance of job interview skills as an intervention target for special education pre-employment transition services. We discuss the implications and directions for further study.
Intellectual and developmental disabilities, 2021 · doi:10.1111/j.1744-6570.2003.tb00145.x