Job Search Strategies for Persons with Psychiatric Disabilities

1
Job Search Strategies for Persons with
Psychiatric Disabilities

• Algonquin College Centre for Students with
  Disabilities
• Alison West Armstrong, CSD Counsellor

2
Introduction

• Personal history
• Topics to cover include
• Preparation
• Development of a Job Search Profile
• Accommodations
• Resume
• Disclosure
• Employers perspective
• Concerns and conclusion

3
Transition

• Is defined as a process of change
• Preparation is key

4
Transition Preparation

• Normalize
• Develop a plan
• Group effort
• Utilize strategies
• Understand your illness
• Prepare

5
Job Search Profile

• Career Goal
• Location
• Transportation
• Money
• Hours of Work
• Accommodations

6
Career Goal

• What do I want to be when I grow up?
• Transfer of skills
• Education and training
• Employee or self employed
• Multiple
• Organic

7
Location, location, location

• Are you able to move?
• Apply the job search circle

8
Life is a highway...

• How are you going to get to work?

9
Show me the Money!

• How important is the money?
• Does the amount earned affect your present
  income?
• Would you consider volunteer as well as a paid
  position?

10
Workin 9 to 5

• What hours are you able to work?
• Full time/part time?
• Shift work? Weekends/Weekdays

11
Accommodations, may

• Mirror
• Be tailored
• Not be necessary
• Not cause undue hardship
• Lessen functional limitations

12
Functional limitations

• Steady pace
• Concentration
• Time management
• Problem solving, making decisions
• Attendance
• Sleep
• Stress
• Feedback-constructive criticism
• Medication
• Change-inflexible

13
Accommodation Examples

• Equipment and devices
• Support Services
• Assistance related to performing the job
• Job task adaptations
• Job site adaptations
• Modified work schedule

14
Review with your support system
Career Goal
Accommodations
Location
Hours of Work
Transportation
Money
15
One step at a time

• Take time to develop your Job Search Profile
• Know yourself

16
Resume

• Personal profile
• Skills and abilities
• Education and training
• Work Experience or Employment

17
Good day strategy
18
Forward movement

• Sectional Notebook
• Applications
• Resume

19

• Pick your days.

20
Now what?

• Contact - Interview
• Job description
• Support
• References
• Discuss disclosure

21
References

• Reality check
• If they are associated with a group then so will
  you

22
Disclosure

• Personal choice
• Ontario Human Rights Commission
• Advantages
• Disadvantages

23
Questions to ask yourself?

• Would someone meeting you for the first time
  notice that you have a disability or be
  uncomfortable with it?
• Do you need accommodations in your placement?
• Would disclosure add value to your employment
  experience?

24
Basic Rules to Good Disclosure

• Script and rehearse
• Avoid medical terms
• Keep it brief
• Keep it job related
• Point out abilities

25
Employers Perspective

• What do accommodations mean?
• What will it cost?
• What the law requires?

26
Concerns

• Questions you might find difficult to answer
• Accommodations you may need on the job
• How to put a positive spin on your disability
• PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE

27
Conclusion

• Self knowledge is power
• Know what you want
• Know what you do well
• Know what you have done
• Know how to express your information

28
Remember

• There are many kinds of disabilities, and
  contrary to popular misconception, almost none
  makes a person unemployable.