Finding Jobs for Handicapped Persons – A Few Practical Tips and Advice
Finding a job is a challenging experience for anyone.
On one side, there’s the issue of finding a steady income source. But more than that, we all want a place where our talents can be put to good use. A place to share with like-minded, friendly people who hopefully share our interests, at least professionally.
That being said, the prospect of finding jobs for handicapped persons presents even more challenges than usual. It is no secret that many employers factor in disabilities in their hiring policies, even when they have no bearing on the tasks to be performed.
Add to that the number of misconceptions present on the hiring market, and you can get discouraged fairly quickly if you aren’t actively paying attention.
The good news is that, slowly but surely, this landscape is changing.
More and more hiring managers are becoming aware of the unique benefits of broad and inclusive hiring policies, and the advantages of having a capable and diverse workforce.
So, to help anyone out there actively looking for jobs for handicapped persons, we’ve put together a handful of useful advice and tips on the matter. To hopefully help you have a more effective and successful experience.
On disclosing disabilities:
This is actually an FAQ whenever the subject of job hunting with a disability comes up. And honestly, there are no easy answers.
For starters, federal law states that you aren’t required to reveal your disability to prospective employers unless it affects the completion of essential job functions. That being said, you should at least consider being open on the subject. Volunteering this information at the appropriate time might show the potential employer you are confident and upfront person.
Roy Grizzard, assistant secretary for disability employment policy at the U.S. Department of Labor said this on the matter:
“If [the medical disability] is not obvious, unless it is germane for the actual job, I don't think it's necessary to discuss it during an interview.”
However, he was emphatic about being upfront with employers when said disability could potentially affect the job:
“Legally, you don't have to, but most employers would appreciate the openness, and it would help create a positive working relationship."
Judging on a case by case basis, you may decide to describe your limitations on a resume, cover letter, wait for an interview, or after you’ve been hired. But in the end, it is a very personal decision, and only you can gauge when (if ever) is the appropriate time to do so.
However, if you do, the best strategy is to acknowledge it and steer back quickly to how you’d do the job. In these situations, it is essential to emphasize how your disability won´t affect your ability to do the job.
Don’t dismiss part-time and volunteer work:
Yes, you probably have your eyesight set on a fulltime position, and all the benefits one brings. However, passing up and not applying on part-time job offerings or volunteer work might be a mistake.
Getting a part-time job on the same field you are searching a fulltime position is an excellent way of getting your foot on the door of the industry. Not to mention that it immediately makes you a more desirable prospect – curriculum-wise – and still allows you to have plenty of time to keep searching for that ideal fulltime position.
On top of that, the job finding process becomes a way less stressful and more manageable proposition once you have a stable – albeit limited – source of income. Allowing you to be much more objective, and selective, when judging other openings flaws and merits from a vantage point.
Also, keep in mind that many a part-time job eventually becomes fulltime. Once your presence in a company is set, many employers are open to expanding the position after a while.
Lastly, on the subject of volunteer work, it might sound like a tricky proposition if you are pressed on the income front. However, taking a volunteer position whose responsibilities mirror those of the job position you are after is an excellent way to showcase that you can get the job done. A factor that leads us to our next point.
The show, don’t tell:
A traditional advice that every writer gets at some point, it is also very applicable for those looking jobs for handicapped persons.
This is true for any jobseeker out there, but it bears even more weight for someone with a disability: It is much more powerful to demonstrate that you can do the job than just saying you can.
Volunteer work and Internships are a prime way to do this effectively. If your resume showcases you’ve been successfully doing the job you are applying for, a hiring manager is that much more likely to pay less attention to your disability and focus on your talents and skills to accomplish the job.
Finding a job isn’t easy and doing so while disabled can seem overwhelming at times. However, it is essential you keep a positive attitude as you search for jobs for handicapped persons.
Focusing on your abilities and using every tool at your disposal to make that search more effective is vital to improving your chances of finding the job you want quickly. Job seeking is a marathon, not a race, and making sure to keep that in mind will surely make the whole endeavor more manageable.