April 19, 2006

Becoming Independent of Disability Employment Services Through Networking

I have had conversations with people who spend their days trying to find employment for people with disabilities. During those conversations, it’s sometimes implied that it may be wise to have someone in a rehab agency, placement service or another part of the disability employment services sector act as a mediator between a job candidate with a disability and prospective employers.

As a result of those conversations, I’m convinced there is a dialogue that needs to take place between employers and job candidates with disabilities. Both need to better understand what works well (and doesn’t work well) when it comes to hiring a person with a disability in the mainstream job market.

It’s true that I did not volunteer to be disabled or ask to be given this opportunity. However, disability is part of my life -- with all of the good and the bad that goes with it.

So, my initial reaction is that using a go-between, which could have some merit if it were universally considered another form of networking, suggests, instead, in the real world that somehow I am not able to do the job or, at least, unable to show others, myself, that I can do it.

If I want employers to feel at ease with me, I need to feel at ease with myself. I need to take the lead and demonstrate that I’m qualified, capable and ready to do the work.

That applies to accommodations, too. Employers often think that an accommodation for a person with a disability will be expensive. The truth is that it can be but often is not. I need to grapple with this issue and take the lead in knowing what accommodations I need, how much they cost and how they affect an employer’s operations.

Now that may seem like I’m shouldering an unfair burden, but, if I’m going to get my foot in the door of preferred employers, I simply cannot wait. I need to take action myself in gaining job interviews and gaining an understanding about the accommodations I need.

I am not asking to be treated with kid gloves. I’m just asking for a truly level playing field in which wheelchairs, service dogs, mobility devices, and assistive devices of all kinds are accepted as part of everyday life (which, in fact, they are). A level playing field is one in which people with disabilities can and will be hired for their abilities (not their disabilities).

Disability is a natural part of life. It can happen to anyone at anytime. It can create some hardships, but it can also offer opportunities. It often creates new ways of doing things we once took for granted.

So, the two questions we must pose to employers during job interviews are:

  1. Do you have any questions about my ability to perform the key functions of this job?

  2. Do you have any additional questions for me regarding my capabilities?

Close the interview by asking for the job (assuming you want the job) in the following manner:

This allows you to close loops and determine where to devote your energy.

As a person with a disability I have the obligation to educate those who will listen about my capabilities and determination. I am seeking allies in my search for employment. To those who will not listen, it is their loss.

Attitude will always carry the day, and, if I have come to terms (a lifelong process) with my disability, my behavior will demonstrate my competence, professionalism and ability to see work through to completion. My behavior will win me friends and allies, and I will find employment.

Disability is part of my life but it does not define my life. I am the person who defines my life. No company, corporation or outside entity has the power to define who I am or who I will become. I will walk up the hill, swim up the stream because I can and I know that I do not walk or swim alone.

Yes, I will probably work harder than many others, but, at the end of the day, I will know that I have earned what I work for.

Barney Mayse
Disability Advocate
The Whole Person, Inc.
email: bmayse@thewholeperson.org

What is the most effective way you've found to network your way into a mainstream job interview?

Posted by Barney Mayse at 09:59 AM | Comments (9)

April 04, 2006

Putting Job Interviewers at Ease

The whole job hunting process can be extremely tough at times for a person with a disability.

However, there are certain things that work well for each of us and propel us to the next hurdle and then over the top.

For me, personally, attitude sets well at the top of the list. I know that, each day to some extent (depending on how things are going), I can re-invent myself. Re-invention can provide another view of the multi-dimensional person I am. As a result, I can picture myself being attractive to employers who want to interview and hire me.

Imagine for a moment that you are the employer and looking for someone just like you.

How would you want that person to be? What key characteristics would you need to have to employ yourself? How would you present those characteristics in your cover letter, resume, and interviewing style?

A congruent, self-confident picture of a talented and skilled individual will emerge at some point as you go through this process of reflection. This is something that can be done whenever you need to get a boost. If you have trouble doing this yourself, ask a close friend or someone who can act as your mentor or coach. For those of us here, perhaps we can help each other go through this process in pairings of twos and threes.

Remember, we can pose an issue that we currently have on this forum and discuss it publicly, but we also always have the option of e-mailing one another for more private conversations.

As a starter, I will put myself front and center and ask for your comments, suggestions and ideas about one issue I currently have: putting job interviewers at ease about my walker.

I use the walker for mobility purposes, and, when I approach an interview, the first thing the interviewer sees is my walker.

I am quite comfortable with my walker, but I have met people who are not. During job interviews, I want to talk about my walker but do not necessarily want to volunteer that I have MS. I know the walker can be viewed as a hindrance, but I want to have interviewers see it as simply an aid.

Barney Mayse
Disability Advocate
The Whole Person, Inc.
bmayse@thewholeperson.org

So, here is this week's discussion question:

What suggestions do you have for my presentation during job interviews that can help the interviewers be at ease with my walker?

Posted by Barney Mayse at 03:24 PM | Comments (14)