I came across this helpful article, by Andrea Parker, with tips and resources for people with disabilities to think about and plan for in the job search and wanted to share with everyone as these tips are great to keep in mind for anyone!
7 Great Job Hunting Tips for College Students With Disabilities
It is essential for people with disabilities to have a plan when job hunting. It is helpful to obtain some job hunting strategies in order to make this process easier. The following are some job hunting tips for college age people with disabilities:
- Find Mentors – It is very important for people with disabilities to find mentors in their chosen fields. Finding a mentor can really be beneficial because mentors can smooth the way for people with disabilities by giving excellent vocational advice. Mentors can explain what has worked for them in the past and guide the student in that direction. Where can a mentor be found? Look around the community to someone admirable who has a job just like the one desired. Talk to that person and ask questions to obtain insider information.
- Focus on Special Interests – People with disabilities have often had special interests throughout the course of their lives. These interests can be signposts that point the way toward rewarding careers. Each special interest is highly individual but if the college student focuses on getting a job in their area of special interest where they are highly knowledgeable, there may be an advantage.
- Network – Students with disabilities have come into contact with many people throughout their lives. Many of these people are professionals such as social workers, teachers, psychologists, doctors and therapists. These people comprise a web of contacts that can be very useful to a job hunter. Talk to these people to gain advice, introductions and letters of recommendation.
- Build an Incredible Portfolio of Work Samples – If the desired employment is in a visual field, put together a winning portfolio. It can really give a person with disabilities confidence when they can walk into an interview armed with great past work. The samples do not have to be published necessarily, nor do they have to be work samples from a previous job, although either of these two options are great. The samples can merely be the student’s best college work in a course that is highly relatable to the work field.
- Research Great Employers – It is always desirable to conduct research on prospective employers before beginning an assignment. Become familiar with the company website and information. The internet can function to assist job hunters in this manner.
- Continue with Self Education – Never give up on self- knowledge. Always be reading and taking courses, both in class and online. Read, write and speak about subjects of interest. Also, teach others in order to learn more and stay on top of the field.
- Carry Up-to-Date Business Cards – Always have a business card on hand. Important contacts can be met suddenly in unexpected places. Be ready for this with a sharp, current business card. They are inexpensive and powerful.
The above are some great strategies for college age people with disabilities. Each person can adopt what tips seem helpful for their personal situation. By making some prior preparation, students with disabilities can find promising jobs.
Additional diversity resources for internships or job searches
Source: From gettinghired.com By Andrea Parker, Original posting and full article