Job Search Tips for the Disabled
How to Overcome a Physical Handicap While Looking for Work
Nov 30, 2008
Finding a job is tough in the best of times, but if you’re injured or disabled, it can be that much harder. I've landed two jobs while on crutches following femur surgeries, and I’ve found through experience that honesty really is the best policy. Whether you’re dealing with a temp agency, employment agency or an actual employer, you must be honest about your limitations up front.
Preparing for An Interview
If you’re qualified for the job and write a good resume and cover letter, you have a good chance of being invited for an interview. If you have an obvious disability — if you’re in a wheelchair or wear a brace, for example, or if you have an amputation — it’s good idea to “warn” the interviewer before you arrive. It’s common courtesy and good business to prepare someone in advance for the unexpected. The good news is that the interviewer usually will expect the worst and be relieved when they see you, dressed professionally and ready for the challenge.
Discussing Your Disability — and Your Abilities
During the interview process, it’s smart to both discuss your disability or injury honestly and play up the positive things you can bring to the job. Be honest about your limitations and be ready to prove that you can handle the scope of the job you're applying for. You might even go through some of the job requirements as listed in the employment posting or classified ad and describe to the interviewer how you handled those requirements in a previous job.
If your condition is short-term, be open with the employer about how long you estimate being disabled and how fully you expect to recover. For example, after one femur surgery, I had to be on crutches for about 16 months. My potential employer knew that I might be fully healed eventually, but she also knew she would have to stick with me for more than a year. The important thing was giving her the full information necessary for making a decision.
Legal Considerations
Employers get worn out by employees who are a constant drain on resources — those who are always out sick, always late, always at doctor's appointments. Employers are not supposed to discriminate against sick, hurt or disabled workers. Legally, they are supposed to accommodate these employees. But it's human nature for the boss to simply get tired of dealing with a chronically ill employee, and that’s why it’s always a good idea to show you have a positive attitude and are willing to do whatever is within your power to get your job done.
If you need accommodations in order to do your job well, ask for them. Talk to your manager or your HR Department about how you can work with them to create a win-win situation. Many companies, especially larger organizations or those with state and federal contracts, are actually eager to hire well-qualified disabled workers.
Retraining Programs
If an accident or sudden illness has made you unable to continue your previous profession, check with your state's Department of Labor. These agencies usually have great programs for retraining people with disabilities to do other jobs, such as computer work. These programs often have arrangements with large local employers to hire many of their graduates.
Even if you don't need retraining, the Department of Labor may still be of help in connecting you with employers who are looking for diverse employees.
Becoming physically disabled definitely does not mean the end of having a rewarding career. You can bring the same smarts, professionalism and can-do attitude to your job with a few accommodations, or to a new profession. Just be open with your potential employers, and you may find they’re glad to snap up a “gem” that some other hiring manager has missed.
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