Secret job-hunting strategies for people with disability

Secret job-hunting strategies PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY

The process of finding a job can feel hard or stressful. Especially if you think you have tried everything. It might be time to use our secret job-hunting strategies. Read more about different ways to open the door to your next job.

USE THE POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Thanks to social media, we can connect with more people than ever before. Have you tried: • Joining community Facebook pages for your local area • Following business’ on social media • Joining jobseeker Facebook groups

You could also make a post to let family and friends know you are searching for work. Word of mouth is very powerful and other people might lookout for jobs.

Did you know 73% of job seekers (aged between 18 and 34) found their last job on social media.

CREATE A VIRTUAL RESUME

A great way to stand out when applying for jobs is to share a virtual resume. It shows you understand technology and sets you apart from others. A virtual resume can capture your personality and expand on your skills. You can create a virtual resume with the help of SLES and DES teams. Afford’s SLES trainee Ervin created a virtual resume that actually landed him his first job!

TRY THE OLD SCHOOL METHOD

While technology is great for job-seeking, nothing beats meeting people. So, if you are looking for a local job, we have four easy steps for you.

1. Visit a local place that you would like to work

2. Introduce yourself and ask to speak to the manager 3. Introduce yourself to the manager and ask if they are hiring. 4. If they say yes, hand in a paper copy of your resume.

It shows you are happy and confident. It is great for people-focused jobs like retail or hospitality, where those skills are very important. Our SLES trainee, Brooklyn, handed in his resume to local supermarkets and enjoyed the experience.

Remember to take care of your application - Don’t fold it, wrinkle it or dirty it. Instead, keep it in a folder so it stays tidy and presentable.

GIVE THEM THE WOW-FACTOR

Another great way to make your application stand out is to show employers what you can do! In the application, include a sample of your work or a link to where they can see it online.

If you are applying for a hairdressing role, you may want to include photos of styles or cuts you have perfected. Or, when applying for a photography job, share a link to your website or social media with your best photos. Sharing your talents online can also lead to other unique employment opportunities. Alison Hayes, who has Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) runs the blog and coaching service, Thriving while disabled. She has become a self-employed entrepreneur by sharing her experiences online and assisting others.

“In some ways, my blog has been therapeutic in that I often find myself writing about challenging experiences I’ve had, or lessons I learned the hard way.

My aim with every blog post is to help my readers get one step closer to living their best possible lives—I want to help everybody move from surviving their disability to thriving with it!

It feels good to have this sense of purpose, and with each new client I get to work with, my belief in my own ability to help others is growing.”

CONNECT WITH THE EXPERTS

Asking for help when you need it, shows strength. In the world of job-hunting, the more help you have, the better.

By connecting with a provider like Afford, our School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) or Disability Employment Services (DES) teams will be there to help you every step of the way. They offer support through it all, from identifying strengths, creating a personalised plan and preparing you for interviews.

Discover more about Afford’s Employment Services to find the path that’s right for you and give yourself every opportunity to shine.