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Article: Guide to Employment for Job Seekers

How To Find A Job

Table of Contents
  1. Jobs and Careers
  2. Career Planning
  3. How To Find A Job
  4. How to Help Others Find a Job
  5. Job Accommodations
  6. Publicly Funded Employment Service Programs
  7. Self-Employment and Starting A Small Business
  8. Employment and Social Security
  9. Success Stories

Job Search Tips
Resume Writing
Disability Disclosure and Interviewing Techniques
Job Banks

You may decide that you do not need the help of a career counselor to find a job. If that is the case, the resources in this section can help you in your search.

Once you have decided what kind of job you want, you will need to find employers who have job opportunities that match your desired career goals. There are at least three steps involved in finding the job that is just right for you:

  1. Find out where there are job openings.
  2. Write a resume or fill out job applications.
  3. Go to job interviews.

 

Job Search Tips

 

The resources listed below have information about how to find a job, write a resume, and do well in an interview. The links below also have tips on deciding what type of job would be best for you.

Tips for Finding the Right Job
This pdf handbook will provide helpful information about the steps involved in finding a job.

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) has put together some useful tips on how to find a job. The JAN website describes the application and interview process, disclosing your disability, and ideas on where to look for job leads.

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Resume Writing

 

A resume is a short written summary of your qualifications and .experiences. Employers use resumes to learn about the different people who are applying for a job and to decide who would be best for the job. The resume is only part of what helps the employer decide who to hire. Typically, the employer will also interview the applicants.

Because the employer uses the resume to help in the decision making process, great care should be taken in writing your resume. Different suggestions and tips can help you present yourself in the best way possible. The links listed below provide ideas on how to write a resume and what information to include.

Monster.com
Resume Center has experts available to answer your questions or help you create your resume. Their website also describes and provides samples of how to write cover letters to send with your resume, cold-call letters to potential employers, networking letters to gather ideas of places to look for a job, and follow up letters to send after you have contacted or interviewed with a potential employer.

How To Write a Masterpiece of a Resume
Rockport Institute offers free advice on how to write an effective resume. This article describes the purpose of a resume and how to plan and brainstorm ideas. There are different formats from which to choose. There is a link to power words that you can use to strengthen your writing.

The Resume Shop
The Resume Shop offers information about how to write a resume as well as how to prepare for a job interview.

ABA Staffing Center
ABA Staffing Center has a resume and cover letter guide to assist you in finding a job.

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Disability Disclosure and Interviewing Techniques

 

It is against the law for an employer to ask whether you have a disability during the process of applying and interviewing for a job. The employer may ask you about whether you are able to perform the essential functions of a job. They may also ask if you need any accommodations but only after you have been offered the job. These rules are part of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and are designed to protect people with disabilities from discrimination during the hiring process. You can read more about these rules in the Guide to Civil Rights: Employment Rights.

On the other hand, if you have a significant disability that may affect how you do the job, or require a lot of accommodations in order for you to do the job, you may want to let the employer know during the hiring process and not wait until after you have been offered the job. That is up to you. Deciding when to disclose a disability can be a difficult choice to make. If you mention your disability too soon, you might be screened out before the selection process has even begun. However, if you wait, it may appear that you were not honest and could damage your relationship with your new boss.

Job Accommodation Network
If you have a hidden disability such as a learning disability or a psychiatric impairment, the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) has some advice for you on when and how to disclose your disability.

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Job Banks

 

Job banks are a great way to see what jobs are available online. Oftentimes, employers will post job openings on the internet to advertise a position. Individuals seeking employment can also post their resume on these sites so employers who are looking to fill positions may find you. Many of the job banks posted below are especially for individuals with disabilities who are seeking employment.

National Business and Disability Council
National Business and Disability Council is a national website that has been helping people with disabilities get jobs for the past 30 years. Check out their website to determine if you qualify for their free job-search service.

disabledperson.com 
disabledperson.com is another national website that offers tips on job searches, resume writing and reasonable accommodations. They also have a job bank where job seekers can post their resumes and employers can post job opportunities. On this site you can register for a free account.

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Last Updated on 12/27/2017

Thursday, March 28, 2024