BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH EMPLOYERS

1
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH EMPLOYERS

• Presentation for the Disability Exchange
  May 10, 2006
• Hotel Albuquerque
• Christine Fuller, Division of Vocational
  Rehabilitation 505/841-6450
• christinef_at_dvr.state.nm.us

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WHOS THE CUSTOMER?

• Client? Employer?
• Boss? Feds?

3
DEVELOPING A RELATIONSHIP

• Honesty
• Dedication
• Commitment
• Professionalism
• INTEGRITY

4
CLIENT SERVICES

• Be Firm with your expectations
• Appropriate dress
• Punctuality
• Completed homework
• Adult world vs childs world
• Professionalism
• Interview skills
• Job search skills for the future
• Disability Awareness

5
Client Services (cont)

• Research, Research, Research
• Work Exploration
• Vocational options
• Vacancy potential
• Income potential
• Educational levels
• Skills required
• Companies

6
CLIENT SERVICES (cont)

• Job Shadowing
• Informational Interviews
• Questions specific to the job
• Dress for success
• First time, attend with the youth
• Tour offered, accept it
• Youth follows up with a report to you
• Youth brings you the Thank You note to send

7
Client Services (cont)

• Homework
• Is at each stage of the process
• Thank you notes/emails/phone calls
• Reports
• Research
• Setting up informational interviews
• Transportation issues
• Day Care issues

8
CLIENT SERVICES (cont)

• Dress for success
• Thank You notes
• Job Fairs
• Go along with the youth
• Observe the interaction with the employer
• Posture, presentation, language, body language,
  politeness, handshakes
• Would YOU hire this client? What makes you think
  you can place them?

9
LOCATING EMPLOYERS

• Where?

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LOCATING EMPLOYERS

• Mapping
• Phone book
• Newspaper
• Job Fairs
• Networking with other clients families
• Organizations

• Organizations
• NETPA
• Chamber of Commerce
• Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Human resources

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Job Fairs OrganizationsAsk and Listen

• Learn about the Labor Market in your area
• Keeps your face out there
• Learn the Employers needs
• Sell Your Services
• Sell the Client
• Present Resumes
• Inform employers about the expectations you have
  of clients (slide 4)

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BENEFITS TO EMPLOYERS

• OJT
• ADA accommodation deductions
• Internship/mentorship opportunities
• Qualified and trained/trainable applicants
• Prescreened applicants
• What do you offer?
• Drug testing or background checks
• Job analysis
• Disability/ADA awareness training
• ADA accommodation evaluations/Specialized testing
• Tutors/job coaches/ funding for ongoing training

13
EMPLOYERS

• Interview skills is one of the biggest complaints
• With which questions do youth have a hard time?
• Explain what you expect from the youth
• Punctuality, appropriate dress, reliability,
  homework, etc.
• Ask what the employers want/need

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FOLLOW-UP

• Gather the information you promised
• Write thank you notes
• Employers Biggest Complaint
• Accept their offers of Tours, etc.
• Ask for the best way to contact
• Ask what position has the biggest Turn-over, Why?
• Request tours

15
Maintain the Relationship

• Contact at least 4 times per year
• Remember them at off times- 4thof July not
  Christmas
• Accept offers for tours
• Accept offers for interview practice (moderation)

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Summer Youth Programs

• Client interest/job specific
• Supports for the employers/ youth

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EMPLOYERS

• Articles
• Free publicity for employers
• Award Ceremonies
• Recognition
• Collaboration of funds