Employment is not just a means of livelihood but a boost to self-confidence and payback for professional skills.
The feeling of accomplishment associated with getting a job is true for every individual but perhaps make more difference for the people who have it hard due to their disabilities.
Job hunting can be a mentally exhaustive and very lengthy affair.
But to make it less overwhelming, here are some expert tips that will certainly help you land the career you are targeting.
Identify your skillset
Highlight your abilities instead of the disabilities you have. Identify the inherent skills that set you apart from other applicants and build your resume around them.
During an interview with the hiring manager, talk about these skills, underlining how these will help you fulfil your job role.
Further, don’t forget to stress the professional skills you have earned with formal training to put forth a strong candidature.
Shortlist the best-fit jobs
All jobs will not be a good fit for candidates living with permanent disabilities or facing temporary limitations post-surgery or due to some illness.
Gather intelligence about the work profiles you can manage with your current disability.
Applying to a job for which your candidature doesn’t match up will only result in disappointment.
Take advantage of employment resources
There are ample public and private employment resources, and some are exclusively for people with disabilities, that will help you find satisfying job opportunities.
JobAccess is an Australian Government-funded initiative that provides employment support for disabled individuals.
Disability Employment Services (DES) is a network of Australian businesses supporting job seekers with disability management and employment support services.
Individuals with a disability, injury, or medical condition can apply through RecruitAbility for employment in the Australian Public Service (APS).
atWork Australia strives to match the proper fit of individuals with employers so that the terms of social participation for disabled people is improved.
Be knowledgeable of your workplace rights
Did you know that the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 makes employment discrimination against disabled candidates a legal offence?
Understand your rights and the provisions that safeguard you from discrimination due to your disability through the recruitment process and during the employment period.
Voice the workplace modifications that you need
While interviewing with a potential employer, discuss openly the workplace modifications you may need to overcome the limitations at work and fulfil your job duties.
Such adjustments could include remote working, flexible hours, screen-reading software, etc.
Stay positive during the process
Rejections are harsh, be it for finding a job or any other life event.
Your first application may not land you an interview, and you may not crack the first interview to get the job.
Hence it is crucial to find means to keep yourself charged up, focusing on the abilities that set you apart instead of the limitations.
We hope that these tips will help you find your dream job and bring a sense of fulfilment through meaningful employment.
All the best!