Solid Job-Hunting Advice for People with Disabilities

Searching for a job is hard for anyone, but people with disabilities may face a few unique challenges, such as social stigma, a lack of understanding by hiring managers, and inaccessible work environments, to name a few. But don’t let this stop you from going after the job you want! Follow these simple tips to find promising job opportunities, create a stellar resume, and ace your interview.

Consider Working for Yourself

First of all, realize that you don’t have to work for someone else if you don’t want to. It’s estimated that self-employed people will make up one-third of the American workforce in the next couple of years. Starting your own business is a very realistic way to make a living if you do it right. An e-commerce business is an excellent, low-risk way to get your feet wet in the world of entrepreneurship. Plus, you can start this kind of business from the comfort of your couch—running an online business is a great option for people with mobility limitations. Read this article from Oberlo to learn about how e-commerce works and how to get your own business started.

Start Your Job Hunt with a Great Resume!

On the other hand, many people prefer to work for someone else for stability and other employment benefits. If you’re looking for a job, start with an eye-catching resume. Most hiring managers make up their minds within about a minute of reading a resume, so you have to make a solid first impression. Something as simple as poor grammar or a spelling error can mean rejection. Avoid clichés and overdoing it with your design. For guidance, try an online resume builder, like this one from Zety. This will help you choose a professionally-designed template to ensure your resume matches the industry standards.

The Guardian stresses that you shouldn’t feel like you have to hide your disability on your resume or in your cover letter. Instead, turn it into a strength. You’ll feel much more comfortable attending the interview if you’ve already addressed any concerns your hiring manager may have about your ability to do the job.

Know Where to Look for Employment

Looking for work that can accommodate your disability is another challenge. Start with a good understanding of your personal strengths. Remember, you know what roles you will fit into better than anyone. Think about what kind of environment you like. Is it quiet or social? Fast-paced or relaxed?

Your particular disability may give you unique strengths in certain areas. For example, people with intellectual disabilities tend to be artistically talented, and may enjoy work in design or photography. Regardless, setting standards for yourself will help you find a position where you can thrive. You can find job opportunities by looking through online job boards, talking to people in your network, or seeking out a career counselor for further guidance.

Prepare for Your Interview

The interview is the last hurdle to overcome before you can start work. Whether you have a disability or not, confidence is key. Employers want to see that you’re confident in your own abilities. This is why you should consider addressing your disability in the interview—this helps everyone feel more comfortable, allows you to connect with your interviewer on a more personal level, and shows off your confidence. Interview questions such as, “What are your strengths?” are the perfect opportunity to bring up your disability in a positive way. Talk about how it’s shaped you, and give examples of obstacles you’ve overcome that may be relevant to the job.

Also remember to ask some questions yourself. This displays your interest in the job. When done properly, these questions will also subtly reveal that you’ve done your research about the company. Try to steer clear of questions that focus on you, like questions about salaries or vacation days. Instead, ask for valuable information about your position and the possibility of future advancements in the company to show you would be a beneficial team member.

Having a disability should not hold you back from finding a fulfilling job. Don’t limit yourself because of what some people may think. Go after the job you want, and show hiring managers you’re the absolute best fit for the position by displaying your strengths and exuding confidence.

-Jenny Wise, Special Home Educator