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Job Seekers – Your Future Starts Now!

 

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So you’re looking for open employment and are confused about your options so you don’t know where to start?

 

Jobseekers who are blind or vision impaired and require specialist assistance to gain and maintain employment can greatly benefit from the assistance available through a Disability Employment Services (‘DES’) provider.   <link to Employment Service Providers on resource page>

 

Getting Started – “What colour is my parachute?”

Take stock of what you have, what you want, and what you might need:

• Career Goals – What do I want to do?  Are my goals realistic?
• Skills – Do I need to investigate further study or work experience to become work ready? Check the Education links for some good starting points.  
• Resume – Is my resume adequate? Take a look at this resume learning resource (PDF 200KB) to help answer that question and provide tips of what’s required and a template to work from. You can also find more information on the SEEK website. 

Job Search Activities and Networking

Ok, you’ve found some jobs that interest you.  What next?

•  Applications
  • Am I confident in writing job applications?  If not, where do I get help?
  • SEEK.com and many other websites provide useful information, however your local DES provider is possibly your best source of information. 

• Networking Strategies 
  • Explore online job search websites such as SEEK.com, CareerOne.com.au
  • Phone canvassing
  • Cold calling employers
  • Mail merge to potential employers 
  • Word of mouth contacts
  • Business acquaintances
  • Friends and family.

• Interview Skills – Ensure you know what your potential employer does and how you would fit into that before the interview:
  • Do your research and be prepared!
  • Check the organisation’s website for more information about what they do
  • Dress appropriately for the interview (eg. don’t wear a business suit for a production role, and conversely, don’t wear jeans for an office position)
  • Remember body language – display good correct posture at all times
  • Speak clearly and keep answers honest and direct/to the point
  • Ask questions!! eg. hours, uniform, etc.
    

• Disclosing Disabilities – at what point should you disclose your vision loss?
  • There is no clear cut answer to whether or not a job seeker should disclose information about a disability, it is something you must decide yourself. There are, however, times when it is strongly advisable to disclose information about your disability so that your new employer can put the right supports in place.

• Work Experience – should I undertake a short work experience / work trial prior to commencing paid employment?
  • The advantages of work experience/trials including possibly unlocking a position of future employment and also reassure the employer of your productivity and capabilities
  • If you are registered with a DES provider they will cover any applicable insurance requirements.  

Employment Placement

You’ve got the job – Well done!!… Now what?

• Pre-Employment Checklist
  • Orientation and Mobility – eg. Public transport requirements, orientation within the workplace (toilets, lunch room, main entrance, etc)
  • Adaptive Technology – eg. what specialist equipment might I require? How do I gain access to the Workplace Modification Scheme?  How do I learn to use something I’m unfamiliar with?  Your local DES provider can assist you with most of your training requirements
  • Support – do I require a support worker initially within the workplace? If yes, your local DES provider can assist you.

• Moving forward with a DES Provider assisting you (if required)
• Placement support (eg. role of the employment consultant)
• If you are eligible for a wage subsidy, how can this be negotiated with your employer?
• Regularity of ongoing support.

 

Meaghan’s story:

Meaghan Willoughby was the state manager of a company when Glaucoma and medical complications left her legally blind at the age of just 26.

 

After taking extended sick leave, Meaghan resigned from her job feeling that she would never be able to work again.

 

She was referred by her GP to The Royal Society for the Blind (SA) and was offered counselling and mobility assistance.

 

Seeing her potential, RSB Employment Services contacted Meaghan and began training her to use adaptive technology including computer software and magnifiers.

 

She quickly gained confidence and within a month had secured a job interview for a call centre operator position. She was supported by an RSB member of staff through the interview and, 20 minutes later, was offered the job.

 

The RSB quickly carried out an Adaptive Technology Assessment and applied for funding from the government’s Workplace Modifications Scheme to buy Meaghan the equipment she needed to start her new job. 

 

“The best thing the RSB did was to put me back in an environment I never thought would exist for me again,” Meaghan explains. “I never thought I would work again.

 

“RSB Employment services were fantastic. When I had my interview a member of RSB staff came with me, supported me and boosted my confidence.

 

“I really didn’t expect to be offered the job, then, when I was offered it I was reluctant because I didn’t know if I would be able to do it. But thanks to the adaptive equipment the RSB provided me with I have flown through.”

 

Meaghan is now working full-time and in her placement she uses a computer with ZoomText software and keyboard plus a 28 inch monitor. She also uses both a desktop and handheld electronic magnifier.

Meaghan’s story:  article as printed in RSB “Vision SA” magazine – 2009

 

 

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