[blindlaw] Cover Letters

[Rumpole]

I have to agree with his observations John. I have conducted several
unofficial surveys among job applicants and in the whole disability field
and the privately discussed and honest opinions are that you should not
mention your disability until you get your foot inside that door.
As stated, a mention of a disability is rarely viewed as a "plus" by HR
people or hiring partners. Once in a dark blue moon there is a call for a
disabled or blind attorney and there is usually a solid reason for the
statement in the posting.
Speaking strictly for myself I found that a mention of disability for one
pool of applications resulted in NO responses. Another pool where there was
no mention of my disability rendered 4 responses and 4 interviews. I have
heard others report similar observations.

Ross

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Craig Borne" <cborne at mdot.state.md.us>
To: "NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2006 8:07 AM
Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Cover Letters


> John,
> Personally, I did not include any references to my blindness in my
> resume or cover letter, with the exception of references to speaking
> engagements with the NFB.  I wanted to get a foot in the door, and past
> experience showed me that interviewing is competitive, and any way the
> interviewer could cut down on the interview pool was likely to happen.
> I felt that if I had the opportunity to meet with the interviewer, I had
> a better chance of "selling myself" to the interviewer because I could
> address the
> "blind thing" directly.
> Check out my interview on www.VoiceOfTheNationsBlind.org for more
> suggestions.
> Regards,
> Craig
>
> Craig Borne, Esq.
> Director, Office of Federal/State Compliance
> Maryland Department of Transportation
> 7201 Corporate Center Drive
> P.O. Box 548, M.S. 330
> Hanover, MD 21076
> Phone: 410-865-1378
> Fax: 410-865-1113
> E-Mail: cborne at mdot.state.md.us
>
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> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org]
> On Behalf Of John Ramsey
> Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2006 5:39 AM
> To: blindlaw at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [blindlaw] Cover Letters
>
> Hello,
>
> Providing I passed all of my courses, I will be looking for a job after
> taking and hopefully passing the bar in July, I am looking for opinions
> on addressing my blindness in a cover letter or on a resume. I have
> heard differing opinions on the subject and want to get a feel for what
> most of you do in this situation.
>
> Thanks,
>
> John
>
>
>
>
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