Networking Forum

I can identify with the idea of leaving the fact that you have MS out of an interview but isn't your MS a part of who you are? When I write cover letters, I manage to let the fact of my blindness appear as an asset and a selling point. Not everyone is comfortable around guide dogs and they wonder how I will do a job with a dog by my side. These visible tools make interviewing tough but I hear over and over that interviewers don't like surprises. If you're comfortable with that walker, think of what you can do and how you will accomplish tasks because you have it! It's a strength, not a weakness so I suggest that you tell the interviewer what you have already accomplished because you have the courage to use a necessary tool!

I am seeking assistance; I am a legally blind person who is currently working on her masters degree. I have successful completed all my classes with a 3.8 GPA. I am an out going individual, hard working and ambitious. I never let the fact that I am LEGALLY BLIND stop me from doing anything! Yet, it has been so hard for me to find a job. I am looking to work for a larger company, maybe in the NYC area, in the fields of public relations and marketing. But I have been encountering difficultie swith getting even an itnerview. Can you please help me?

Thank you!

Hi Barney,

Nice to get to know you. I like your attitude and that is the first step into landing a job.

I read your story you wrote called "Facing the Realities of Physical and Social Change:
And enjoyed it.

I might not be much help about how to approach employers with your walker, but hope others who use walkers will comment. I to have had to adapt instantly to a disability. I went completely blind instantly in 1999 due to a very critical illness. Was in a wheel chair for a year while I learned to walk again, progressing through full leg braces with Canadian crutches, to just crutches and now with no wheel chair, only two white canes; one support cane and one long white cane. I had to reinvent myself in order to keep my current job and do well in it. I hope you visit my blog where you can read more about me and some tips I provide to help the disabled in the work place in their personal life. I think some of the tips might help you.

I recently gave a talk at a local organization you can listen to that talks about working with others and how to leverage a network of people to help land a job or retain a current job.

You can find this talk by going to "You Can Do Almost Anything! Forming Partnerships, Working Hard and Re-skilling Yourself Leads to Success:"
http://www.globaldialoguecenter.com/podcast/index.shtml

My blog is at the following URL.
http://globaldialoguecenter.blogs.com/disabilities/

Glad to have the privilege to meet you. Hope these tips help.

Have a good day.

Bill Tipton

Barney:

I was interested in responding to your situation. I do not have MS, but I am blind and use a Guide dog. It is my responsibility to make others comfortable with my dog or disability. I believe the same is tru for you.

I would recommend that you mention it from the start of the interview. Let them know that is an aide for you, and I think that is all they need to know. If you are not asked why you needa walker, do not offer up that information.

The more confidence you exhibit walking into the interview the better. Act as if it is no big deal, which it sounds as though you already operate in such a manner. If i do not make an issue of my Guide dog, than she never becomes an issue.

Best of luck in your pursuit of employment. You have what it takes to pull it off.

Tricia Cronin

I am currently in job search mode. I am visually challenged, Latina and bilingual. My M.A. is in counseling. I have passed the licensure exam. I have not needed to search for jobs for over 30 years. This being a new experience for me would make any suggestion I give somewhat tentative. However, I am beginning to find that disclosure at the point where you have already secured an interview so that the employer doesn't go into "SHOCK" mode for the most part appears to be a good tactic. Your writing certainly shows that you possess considerable work and life skills. It seems to me that in some cases it is nearly impossible to reorient the interviewer to what we as persons with physical and or mental challenges have to offer. The emphasis sadly becomes the barriers and being presented with every possible scenario and expecting an immediate response from the interviewee. I am trying my best now to network all over the place. Hopefully this will lead to my employment externship position.

Job interviews are so varied, sometimes strange and difficult, to tell as it develops, just how you are doing.

Resumes and cover letters are a killer and should, be avoided, at all costs. Providing names, of reference's, is bad prior, to an actual interview.

The 73, Rehab. act, sets you up, to face a dilema, in that, if you don't reveal the disability up front. you are then not covered, by the law, if you reveal, then the prospective employer can discern the legal methods, for not offering employment, and don't, be fooled into thinking that there is not a legitimate , to be turned down. Section 5, of the Act, serves only, to assure the Government and employers the nature and types, of disabled persons in the active job market. This sounds cynical and if you don't believe me, just try and file a law suit again'st any employer, and especially agains't a Government Agency.

A postive attitude is important, however, when all is said and done, preparing, for an interview comes down, to a real nitty-gritty, and are you fully prepared, for the job being sought? Do you possess the full scale, of skills and credentials, and do you have the necessary documentation, of your traing and skill competencies?

Employers are legimitately concerned about safety, whether you have secure transportation, and requisite social and personal skills in order, to fit in withthe existing work force.

Another killer is when, as most employers do, and the is, to reveal a pay history, andstate up front your pay requirements. The employer must, be forced, to make you an offer; first, of employment, and secondly, pay and benefits then can, be negotiated. Some Government jobs will, be limited, to standard scales. This still does not preclude a certain amount, of negotiating.

In an interview, don't offer information freely, stick with the actual question being asked, give, to the point anwsers, wait, for the next question. When interviews end, often the employer does not offer, to discuss when you will learn the outcome, but don't leave without suggesting that you would like, to know, how and when you wil . be notified.

Dress is iimportant. Dress, for the type, of work, for which your being interviewed.Don't wear a fine suit, for a construction, or labor job.

People more often than not talk themselves out, of a job, keep this thought in mind. Don't, be coached by someone who does not understand the requirements, of the job, of your interests. Many job placement people have not a clue as, to what they are doing, so, be cautious. Remember good work preparation is the secret.

C. Fred Stout

San Antonio, Tx

reason

I was thinking, (very dangerous). We live in a society that prizes rugged individualism, but I am beginning to realize that persons with physical and mental challenges may be better able to succeed in our interviews if we have someone in a rehab agency, church or other program act as a sort of go between. This may help the potential employer to be more at ease when we walk into the interview. Natuarally, we need to be confident with who we are. I feel that it is important to be open and not put off by questions related to our challenges, or assistive devices. The hard part comes in getting the interviewer off that track of stressing the barriers rather than (ABILITIES).

Strange, how questions lead to yet more queries. I was turned down for a training program I thought might be of benefit to me in job placement. I have ABSOLUTE respect for the guy who called with the news even though I have mixed feelings about the decision that was made. In speaking with my VR counselor this morning she said at one point, "maybe you should look for a job where having a guide dog isn't a factor. Maybe that's why you're not gettingjobs. Later this afternoon someone else said, "If you let them know in a resume or cover leter that you have a guide dog, you're dead in the water." What thoughts do you have, considering that I've not often worked with VR? Do I surprise my interviewer at the door with my dog?

Strange, how questions lead to yet more queries. I was turned down for a training program I thought might be of benefit to me in job placement. I have ABSOLUTE respect for the guy who called with the news even though I have mixed feelings about the decision that was made. In speaking with my VR counselor this morning she said at one point, "maybe you should look for a job where having a guide dog isn't a factor. Maybe that's why you're not gettingjobs. Later this afternoon someone else said, "If you let them know in a resume or cover leter that you have a guide dog, you're dead in the water." What thoughts do you have, considering that I've not often worked with VR? Do I surprise my interviewer at the door with my dog?

This is kind of off topic, but I thought the original post would go along nicely with my question. I have been blind for twenty-one years, and have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. I haven't had the energy or proper assistive devices to get me to where I need to go...it helps when your doctors actually believe something is wrong! Do any of you have suggestions for how to use the walker with the white cane?

H.M.

I finsish 1 year of massage trainning. I'm still having problem passing the NCBTMB test. I need to pass this test because, I have a wife and 3 boys whom are 25 months apart.They are some handsome kids.HELP ME PLEASE .I'LL WORK HARDER THEN ANYONE IN THE MASSAGE BUSINESS.

First, thank you to everyone who has responded. Second, I am completely comfortable with my MS but the world I live in is not--this is a fact. Volunteering that I have MS will screen me from opportunities because the person making the decision knows little or nothing about it.

With that being said, I appreciate the comments and the issues raised by everyone. The lady with the guide dog has a similar issue to mine. How do you get the interviewer to focus on my skills when there is a distraction (for those easily distracted folks)?

Something I think is valuable is to ask the interviewer if they have concerns about my ability to do the essential duties or functions of the job for which I am interviewing? If they do, I can address them readily. If not, on with the interview.

Part of my thought process is how to level the field so that we all get our shot. People make assumptions about what they think we can do. I have always said that I do not apply for a job unless I believe that I have the skills and ability to perform the job.

I know the struggle for I have travailed through inaccessible doors and used the walker to travel in one instance about a quarter of a mile to an interview. I am serious about working but I wonder about the employers?

The idea of myths about hiring people with disabilities should be dispelled permanently because we are people who still have more abilities than we are being given the opportunity to use. I ask for the chance to use my skills and abilities. I ask for the opportunity to demonstrate how I can be an asset for any company. The focus needs to be on abilities. Disability is a part of life that happens but it should not be an impediment to employment.

Companies look for people who are problem solvers--that would be us. Companies look for people who can deal with change---that would be us. Companies look for loyalty and a steady work ethic---that would be us. We are different pegs and we do fit when we are given the opportunity. We are amazing, magnificent, creative and inventive. We solve more problems each and every day that employers should be looking for us. We can help solve their problems.

First, thank you to everyone who has responded. Second, I am completely comfortable with my MS but the world I live in is not--this is a fact. Volunteering that I have MS will screen me from opportunities because the person making the decision knows little or nothing about it.

With that being said, I appreciate the comments and the issues raised by everyone. The lady with the guide dog has a similar issue to mine. How do you get the interviewer to focus on my skills when there is a distraction (for those easily distracted folks)?

Something I think is valuable is to ask the interviewer if they have concerns about my ability to do the essential duties or functions of the job for which I am interviewing? If they do, I can address them readily. If not, on with the interview.

Part of my thought process is how to level the field so that we all get our shot. People make assumptions about what they think we can do. I have always said that I do not apply for a job unless I believe that I have the skills and ability to perform the job.

I know the struggle for I have travailed through inaccessible doors and used the walker to travel in one instance about a quarter of a mile to an interview. I am serious about working but I wonder about the employers?

The idea of myths about hiring people with disabilities should be dispelled permanently because we are people who still have more abilities than we are being given the opportunity to use. I ask for the chance to use my skills and abilities. I ask for the opportunity to demonstrate how I can be an asset for any company. The focus needs to be on abilities. Disability is a part of life that happens but it should not be an impediment to employment.

Companies look for people who are problem solvers--that would be us. Companies look for people who can deal with change---that would be us. Companies look for loyalty and a steady work ethic---that would be us. We are different pegs and we do fit when we are given the opportunity. We are amazing, magnificent, creative and inventive. We solve more problems each and every day that employers should be looking for us. We can help solve their problems.

hello everybody!