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March 18, 2007
Talking About our Advantages
Today we welcome Vladimir Matsiborchuk, guest facilitator.
We are now in the seventh week of our eLearning course. Each of us has been receiving and analyzing new information, which undoubtedly makes a significant impact on our lives. We have been reviewing practicability of our career paths, emphasizing our professional advantages and abilities, and identifying our limitations and barriers.
We all agree that necessity of addressing the disability issue is the focal point of our presentation during our employment interviews. In developing a good answer about disability, most of us demonstrate a well determined and creative approach.
In addition, eLearners focus not only on the substance of the answer but also on the manner in which it will be delivered. In her presentation, Shanti stresses that:
“During the interview, I do my very best to maintain a high level of confidence and enthusiasm; I weave my disability throughout my answers where possible so that it appears very natural. Examples: the use of alternative techniques with regard to managing information and data and the ability to problem solve about transportation with regard to job related travel since I do not drive.”
In addressing his specific barrier, John offers a prospective employer the following solution:
“If you have a function that needs to be performed, please allow for a software assessment and the opportunity for me to demonstrate how I can perform the functions of this position. With the help of an assistive technology specialist, we can determine compatibility and/or any scripting necessary to make me job ready. I believe that you will be pleasantly surprised to learn that many common computer tasks can be performed just as efficiently as any sighted user -- and, in some cases, even more efficiently.”
Alicia identifies “two things to be key in this sort of discussion:
- I need to sound as confident as possible, and this includes giving a prompt answer which shows no hesitations.
- I should keep trying to bring the conversation back to the very material proof of my abilities.”
Thus, it appears that compatibility and use of technology, workload management and transportation as well as keeping a high level of self-assurance are the key challenges here. We all realize that we are in the process of negotiation of our work environment.
This is a mutual process, in which both the prospective employer and candidates with disabilities must be involved. In general, we realize our limitations and barriers on the way to employment.
But, while we live with disabilities, we develop certain life experiences, natural skills and qualities as well as values that cannot be found among general job candidates. We cannot be successful in those negotiations without demonstrating our advantages. We must spell out and clearly present our advantages to the prospective employers.
It is not enough to show our ability to do the job. We must explain that we are able to do the job better due to our developed skills and qualities.
Considering your life with disability, skills and qualities you have developed, please answer the following question:
What is your most distinguished quality as a job candidate with disability which gives you an advantage over other applicants in your given career field?
Add your comments to this posting
Posted by Vladimir Matsiborchuk at March 18, 2007 10:30 PM
Comments
I think that the most distinguishing quality as a job candidate with a disability in my career field is my ability to listen and problem solve. I have been told on many occasions that I am a good listener and I offer constructive suggestions for problem solving. These two qualities have played a great role in my own personal development as a person who is congenitally blind.
Posted by: Shanti Aaron at March 20, 2007 06:41 PM
I think my ability to look at the ' big' picture is the one quality I bring to my work, not just as a journalist, but when I was teaching in special ed. I had one master teacher write that Liz leaves no stone unturned in finding ways to assist children to be the best persons they can be.
Looking at all sides of an issue, trying to walk in someone else's viewpoint can often help you precipitate the questions and reluctances your interviewers might have. It helps you problem solve and prepares you for the reactions you might get from students, colleagues, big bosses or society itself. It provides you with empathy.
Mixing that with enthusiasm and optimism often helps as well.
Posted by: Liz S at March 21, 2007 05:52 PM
In all situations an engaging outgoing personality is a great way to connect with people. So, when interviewing use your personality like a tool. The more positive the conversation the less your disability matters! Employers want to hire individuals who have the necessary skills but they also want to hire individuals who are positive, pleasant and fit into their work environment
Posted by: jeremiah taylor at March 22, 2007 09:03 AM
Hi Vladimir, In addition to being naturally meticulous, organized with good communication skills, I would say that my unique advantage over other job applicants would be the “technology itself as being the major selling point. originally designed to accommodate my blindness, My JAWS screen reader has made me a much improved writer, coupled with a higher degree of efficiency in compiling, retrieving and storing data. One prime example would be in the case of (data entry) which is a common function of any CSR position that can be performed more accurately via the combined use of OpenBook to first transform the type-written text into a computer doc. Next, one simply copies the data within the doc and pastes the desired data into whatever company applications are being used for that particular kind of data entry function. In using the “copy and paste” method, one bypasses the visual means of entering data, thus greater accuracy while minimizing mistakes.
JD Lewis
Posted by: JD Lewis at March 22, 2007 01:02 PM