Go!

Putting your plan into action.

Now that you have identified what you are looking for and have researched career areas and opportunities in your community, it is time to sell yourself and shine as the valuable and productive person that you are.

Your job search strategy should be as individual and distinctive as you are. Here are some general tips to keep in mind:

• Stay true to your vision and values. Try not to let well-intentioned family, friends, or service providers discourage you or change your goals.
• Be open to new ideas and information. You never know where these may lead you.
• Use a variety of techniques in your job search. Your perfect opportunity may not be openly advertised. Internal employee referral is being used more and more as a hiring practice. Direct face-to-face contact can be more effective than phone inquiries-- employers see you and are more likely to be receptive and to engage in conversation.
• Be realistic. Know what compromises you will and will not make. You will need to gather tools and develop your marketing strategy. Your goal is to show employers that you are the best person to meet their needs.

Create or update your resume and list of references

Creating your resume requires you to list all the skills that you bring to an employment setting. This is a good way to begin your job search.

• Always have copies handy to share with lots of people.
• Ask for feedback. This is a nice way to connect and involve people in your search.
• Keep your references current, and prepare them for calls they may be receiving from prospective employers.
• Evaluate and revise after three months if you do not get interviews during that time.

Use market research

Seek out company information to customize your cover letters, conversations and interviews. Do not send out the same cover letter to everyone. Your extra efforts could give you an advantage over other applicants.

Prepare for interviews and networking meetings

• Get a list of commonly used interview questions from the internet, your career center or service provider. Think through and record your answers.
• "So tell me about yourself?" Compose and practice a "sixty-second commercial" to tell people who you are, what you are looking for and what you have to offer.
• Keep your notes, resumes, etc. in a neat folder. You will feel and appear organized and confident. Remember, first impressions are extremely important.
• Consider how, if at all, might you talk about your disability? What are the pros and cons of disclosing your disability? Do you have a visible disability? Are there accommodations you will need during the interview process? Would it be better to wait until after the job offer to share information?
• Keep it positive. Practice interviewing with your friends, family, or service providers.
• Get exact directions, including public transportation schedules, if you are at all unsure of the meeting location. Do trial runs if needed.
• Get appropriate interview clothing. Have an outfit clean and ready the night before the interview.
• Keep your supply of thank-you notes stocked and available. Always follow up meetings, including informational interviews, with a prompt thank-you note. Have your note reviewed if you have trouble with spelling or grammar.

Compile a portfolio

Sometimes a traditional resume alone does not suit your situation, or you may have additional information that you want to present. Assembling a portfolio can be useful in achieving that special touch. If you have significant physical barriers, especially with verbal communication, having this product in hand can help you, and your interviewer, feel more comfortable. It is true that at times, "pictures speak louder than words."

• Use a photo album, three-ring binder or scrapbook.
• Include written answers to typical interview questions, a more thorough version of your "sixty-second commercial."
• Include any materials that demonstrate your talents and skills-- publications you wrote; other compositions, reference letters, awards and/or certificates; school transcripts; thank-you letters from colleagues or customers; performance reviews. Keep the focus relevant to your career or job goal.

Career development is often not a straight-line process. There may be periods when you feel stuck or frustrated; or times when your activities twist and turn in directions you were not expecting. You might find yourself cycling back to earlier steps as you continue to learn more. For example, after you begin to "Learn what's out there," you may realize that you want to revisit "Start with yourself" because there were some elements you missed or because your interests have changed or developed. Be sure to get support from other job seekers, co-workers, family, friends, and professional helpers as you go along. Set manageable goals and reward yourself for each step you take. Keep networking and stay active at your local One-Stop Career Center. Allow yourself the space and flexibility to feel your way through and reevaluate your goals as necessary.

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Congratulations! All your hard work and planning has paid off! You have found your job, and you have settled in quite nicely. You have taken the time to thank everyone who has helped you along the way. Share your experiences-- you may be surprised at how much you have learned and what you can offer to others.

Your attention now shifts to doing the best job that you can. How can you maintain your success and get maximum satisfaction from your new employment experience? Keep the following in mind as you make the most of your new opportunity:

• Ask for whatever assistance you need.
• Get to know others at your job-- possibly make a new friend... or two.
• Get yourself known in your workplace-- participate in a committee or event.
• Show initiative and motivation-- offer ideas or take on a special project.
• Advocate for your professional development interests.
• Keep your personal and professional networks active-- career advancement may be in your future.

Judy's Story

Judy has severe cerebral palsy, and uses a wheelchair as well as a communication device. She graduated from college three years ago with a degree in English along with studies and experience in theatre arts. She has been unsuccessful in finding any type of employment since then. Although her dream is to be an actor or director, her present career goal is to find a writing or editing job.

She came across the opportunity to participate in a work experience program where she got to try out two different work settings: one as a Writing Assistant in the Public Affairs Department and the other as a Project Web Page Assistant with another department at the company.

Organized by her new employment support team, Judy held a person-centered career planning session with her job developer, vocational rehabilitation counselor, work experience supervisor, family, and personal care attendant. She took full advantage of this session by also gathering letters from past fieldwork supervisors and teachers expressing their impressions of her strengths and skills along with suggestions of potential job options and specific contacts and resources to consider. Judy and her job developer followed up with this network and were referred to many additional people to talk with. Her planning process also resulted in a referral for an assistive technology assessment to help her obtain updated equipment to improve her productivity and communication at work.

She decided to put together a portfolio to display her background, interests, and samples of her writing. This was a great tool for Judy that served as a "bridge" to engage an interviewer while clearly presenting her motivation, talents and capabilities.

Judy now has a very long list of creative job ideas and leads to work from. Given Judy's positive energy, along with her new direction and support network, it is just a matter of time before she finds the job she wants!