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April 27, 2006
Not-so-final Thoughts: A Switch in Perspective
Last week, we asked what you would you like to add as a cap to the 2005 series of insight summary articles which are based on your "Swimming in the Mainstream" blog comments.
We needed your final thoughts before we reformatted the articles for further use among employers.
Liz, for instance, wrote, "…I think the best thing business needs to know when hiring a person with a disability is that it's a person first and last and that disability may make them unique in a way you'd never experience…"
She added, "Employers need to go beyond their expectations, their fears, their prejudices and gain a new perspective."
That idea about a new perspective among employers was echoed by Helen, who recommended, "Train your HR recruiters and your staff well. Awareness is key to the success of both the company and the individuals involved… Train leaders to look for potential rather than focusing on limitations."
Yes, prospective employers and job seekers need to better understand each other. But fostering that understanding is, in part, up to us as job seekers, too. That means, when we are seeking a job, we research companies – and network – so we know where we best fit in terms of our skills, temperament, values and goals.
Knowledge of ourselves and of the companies we target in our job search determines how we hone our resumes, our cover letters and our offering statements.
In today’s job market, job seekers need to show up-front proof of their abilities and potential. Job seekers with a disability, in particular, need to show they have learned how to be problem solvers – and adapters – through living with that disability.
Instead of trusting prospective employers will presume we have the attributes of ability, adaptation, and potential as job candidates with a disability, we need to be proactive in helping employers recognize those strengths in us.
So, let’s change our perspective this week.
For the last 12 months, eSight’s "Swimming in the Mainstream" blog discussions have focused on what employers can do to address disability employment issues – from weeding out paternalism in the workplace to creating a level paying field in recruitment.
This week and next (before we switch to a completely new discussion forum in February), let’s turn the tables and ask about how we can proactively carry out our responsibilities as job seekers with a disability.
This week’s discussion question is this:
As job seekers, how can we best help prospective employers to appreciate our abilities, understand our potential and recognize us as the problem solvers they want to hire?
Posted by Jim at 04:45 PM | Comments (11)