It's About Choice!

SECTION ONE

Characteristics that make you attractive to employers:

• Good communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to get positive results
• Enthusiasm
• Solid skill sets-intelligence, computer usage, etc.
• Capacity to solve problems
• Ability to work with others
• Self-starter
• Honesty
• Reliable

Other recommendations:

• Learn about the business/organization you are to interview with. Get a grasp of the industry. Read an annual report. Understand issues that the business is currently facing. Visit their web-site.
• Present a neat and well groomed appearance. Dress conservatively.
• Smile
• Have specifics in mind about how you can contribute to the company’s bottom line. Review the position’s job description for this.
• Use this personal contact as a networking opportunity. Most jobs are not advertised in newspapers. There may be opportunities your interviewer is aware of or another contact in the industry.
• If not selected for the position, follow-up with a “thank you” letter and ask to be considered for future vacancies.
  

Good Resource: The book “Job Strategies for People with Disabilities” by Melanie Alstaire Witt covers a wide range of subjects including:

* A Whole New Ballgame

• Now you can
• ADA at work for you

* Career Decision Making

• The real world of work
• Self-Assessment: able to do the job
• Making the job fit you
• Job clans
• Putting it all together

* Job Finding

• To disclose or not to disclose
• Creating standout resumes and cover letters
• Finding job leads
• Researching employers
• Interviewing: a chance to show how valuable you are
• Pstscript: positive thoughts pack power

* Appendicies

• Organizations, Associations and Agencies
• Adaptive Assistance
  

Caring & Sharing has purchased several copies of this book. Give us a call to borrow one (please bring it back so others can use it!).

Strategies

1. One strategy that others have used successfully is (if you can afford to) offer to work without pay for a week or two in order to demonstrate your capability to do the job.
2. 2)There are Social Security Work Incentives if you are on SSD or SSI or both. These are very flexible and can be used to test the job market without the risk of losing your benefits (including health care insurance). They are too volumous to present here but can be viewed at the SSA.gov website. Also, obtain a copy of the “Red Book on Work Incentives” from the local office of the Social Security Administration or from the website.
3. There are tax incentives for small businesses that need to make accommodations to hire you. Tax credits and tax deductions are available.

Before the second section is presented (various links to useful websites), I would like to share some other options that you may wish to consider before jumping into the job market.

• Go back to school to upgrade your skills (you can utilize SS work incentives to help you pay for this).
  
• Volunteer. This is a great opportunity to gain some work experience. In addition, some volunteer experiences can evolve into paid positions-once you prove your value to the organization.
  
• Work part-time. Again, you can earn up to certain amount of $ per month before your SS benefits are affected.
  
• Seek out a mentor in the industry/career area that you have targeted. This person may or may not be an individual with a disability.

Employment

Section 2