Ready and Able
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by Valerie Lipow
If you have a disability, you know it will more than likely affect a potential employer's attitude toward you. Even if your condition has no bearing on your ability to do the job, most employers will have some concerns. It's up to you to show employers that, despite your disability, you're the best person for the position. Here are 10 tips to keep in mind when searching for work:
1. Use a Variety of Job-Seeking Techniques
These include personal contacts, classified ads, campus job-placement services, job placement assistance through disability advocacy or support groups, vocational rehabilitation agencies, etc. Take advantage of the Internet. When you apply for a position, stress your qualifications.
2. Do Your Homework
Research any company you're applying to. Check with disability advocacy groups to see if the company has a good reputation for hiring, training and promoting workers with disabilities. Find out what its business strengths and weaknesses are. Many corporations' Web sites provide lots of information, including annual reports. Know how your background and experience fit with the company's goals, and be prepared to discuss why your strengths make you a good candidate. More than just flattering an interviewer, being familiar with the company shows you're motivated to work there.
3. Know What Technologies Can Help You Work Effectively
Regardless of your disabling condition, your talents and skills may be maximised and enhanced through technology. For example, many people who use computers do not realise there are many accommodations available to them. Speech recognition software -- StickyKeys and Autocorrect, for instance -- can make using a computer easier for someone with dexterity problems; adjusting a monitor's resolution can make reading small print easier for people with limited vision.
4. Decide When to Disclose Your Disability
Consider being open on this subject. If you volunteer this information, the employer may see you as a strong and confident person. Depending on the circumstances, you could describe your limitations in a CV, cover letter, job application, during the interview, after you've been offered the job or after beginning the job.
5. Make the Interview Easy for the Employer
If you are bringing an interpreter, wheelchair, guide dog, etc., notify your interviewers so they can prepare in advance. As needed, inquire about accessible entrances to the building and the best route once inside to get to your interview.
