Applying for a Job

The folowing is advice that has appeared on various blind/VI programming lists.

• Have a recruiter check out your cover letter and resume to make sure it looks good and presents you in the most positive light.
• do you mention on your resume that your are blind? If you do, remove it. If it is mentioned on your resume, you invite people to think of all of the stereotypes about blind people before they meet you.
• The most important thing is to get the interview. Then talk about how you can do the job. Meet any questions about your blindness head on.
• If you don't have marketable skills then there's no sense in looking for a job. If you do, you need to know what they are. You need to know how you compare with others in your chosen occupation.
• Every company, every nonprofit, every person, needs to know what their best is and that is what they have to sell. Volunteering and interning will help both you and potential employers know what your best is.
• Sometimes a couple years of volunteer experience can be considered by a prospective employer, especially if your position was similar in responsibility or duties to what the advertised job is looking for.

The following are excerpts that was published in an article in DiversityInc magazine entitled "How to Land Your First Job".

Let's face it-landing your first job is never easy. The process involves countless hours of scouring job boards, completing dead-end automated applications, and if you're lucky, scoring a 15-minute job interview for which you've spent five days rehearsing your elevator pitch, ironed your suit and borrowed a friend's briefcase.

Here are 5 tips from experts on managing who you are while landing and keeping your first job:

No. 1: Know Thyself Understanding who you are personally, including knowing your strengths and weaknesses, will undoubtedly help you professionally. "A lot of students don't really understand what their disabilities are and how it can affect how they perform on a job," says Alan Muir, executive director of Career Opportunities for Students with Disabilities (COSD). "Have a full understanding of your abilities and disabilities." Being clear on who you are-and what you can and cannot do-not only makes your job search more effective and makes the interview go more smoothly, it also makes penetrating the office culture easier.

Understand who you are professionally as well. Know what makes you comfortable and uncomfortable in the workplace. Testing different environments is key to successfully determining what works for you. "Internships are very important. It gives you a 'real-world view' and prepares you for different workplace situations," says Yolanda Johnson, director of the Office of Careers at Bennett College for Women.

No. 2: Be Upfront About Who You Are ... But In Your Own Time There are many factors at play, including job type and your personal comfort level, that determine the best time to disclose your orientation or disability. Unfortunately, there is no "right time" to disclose, and legally, you are not required to say anything. Asking questions about the workplace environment and the company's employee-protection laws will help you evaluate what is important to disclose and when is the appropriate time. For applicants with disabilities, putting your disability in your cover letter is an option-but, as Muir warns, you must be aware of potential ramifications.

"This option can be positive but most likely will be negative. If you have leadership and work experience, this option may not work against you, but it certainly will not absolve you from the burden of discussing it," says Muir.

No. 3: Do Your Homework Before the interview, understand the company's mission statement and antidiscrimination policy, and equally important, find out what matters to the employer. Understanding these factors is key in helping you measure your potential happiness and comfort level and, ultimately, your future success with the company.

"Know a lot about the workplace before coming in for the interview," says Eliza Byard, deputy executive director of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN). Consider the interview the time to impress your interviewer with what you know about the company. During the interview, ask pertinent questions that will give you further insight to your potential employer.

"I tell my students to use their interview time to really get a feel for the environment. If it's not offered, ask for a tour to get an idea for the potential work area," says Johnson.

No. 4 Study the Corporate Culture There is a lot you can learn about a company before stepping foot in the front door. Use external resources that make evaluating company diversity their business, such as the Top 50 list. Here is where the interview process helps you as the potential employee. Use the interview as a time to ask pertinent questions that speak to the office culture, such as: Are there affinity groups for LGBT employees? How accommodating is your office to people with disabilities? Are there outlets for a person of color to utilize if a situation arises that seems to be racially motivated?

No. 5 Build a Network of Advisers Forging relationships with seasoned professionals in and out of your profession who have endured being a person of color, a person with a disability, or an LGBT person in different environments will prove to be an excellent resource as you launch your career. However, balance here is pivotal. Include people not like you in your network for panoramic perspectives.

"There are different issues that women face versus women of other ethnic groups. However, we try to match students with non-black mentors to offer a well-rounded view, which is important," says Johnson. 

 

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