[Jobs] FW: eSight's NetWork News: The Value of a Good Answer

Wed Nov 8 20:42:07 CST 2006

-----Original Message-----
From: MemberServices at eSight.org [mailto:MemberServices at eSight.org] 
Sent: Wednesday, November 08, 2006 5:20 PM
To: atschu at erols.com
Subject: eSight's NetWork News: The Value of a Good Answer

Dear peter,

Two weeks ago, at a workshop for updating skills in 
career development facilitation, I heard two 
individuals who help technical college students with 
disabilities develop career management skills concur 
on this observation: 

  "We don't know where this comes from, but we find   
  students with disabilities generally have some 
  catching up to do (compared to the general student 
  population) when it comes to knowing how to sell 
  themselves to employers as viable job candidates." 

I was not surprised to hear that lament, but I was 
surprised to hear two in-the-trenches people actually 
question why students with disabilities have
difficulty "selling themselves" in this age of 
self-promotion. 

After all, turning a disability into a positive in the 
eyes of an employer is not easy. It requires insight. 
It takes extra work. 

Here are a couple of extra questions non-disabled job 
candidates usually don't have to ask themselves as 
they develop their job marketing programs: 

  How do I gather enough self-esteem to look at my 
  disability as a strength instead of a weakness? 

  How do I describe that strength in a way that is 
  meaningful to a prospective employer? 

  How do I get that whole disability issue out of the 
  way first during a job interview so I can then focus 
  on my strengths for the job at hand? 

That kind of preparation for a job hunt is well worth 
the extra effort. The keys to getting it done are 
introspection, perception and projection. Again, it's 
not easy, but it's doable. 

Debra L. Angel and Elizabeth E. Harney are authors of 
"No One is Unemployable: Creative Solutions for 
Overcoming Barriers to Employment." 

Their book is available at 
http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=819 

Their response (in capsule form) to the above questions:
Develop a "good answer" for a reply to questions about 
your disability and your ability to do a job and plant 
it in the back of your mind in case you need to use it 
-- something short and sweet that comes off the tip of 
your tongue naturally during a job interview. 

Ideally, your "good answer" can act as a transition 
from talking about your disability to describing your 
work skills during that job interview so the interviewer 
can focus instead on what you can offer the company or 
organization. 

To develop your "good answer" to a real and/or 
perceived disability barrier to employment, the 
authors first ask you to consider these two questions: 

  How do you perceive the barrier to your employment? 

  How do you think the employer perceives that same 
  barrier? 

To find the key to your "good answer," the authors 
suggest that you search for reasons why the barrier 
should no longer concern the employer. 

Can your barrier be used to further qualify you for a 
particular job? Or, can you show how overcoming the 
barrier has helped you develop skills or knowledge 
that a prospective employer needs (such as 
resourcefulness, planning or persistence)? 

By developing a "good answer" for yourself, you'll 
minimize your fear of job interviews and exhibit more 
self-confidence because you'll begin to see yourself 
and your situation in a positive light. 

Here are three examples of "good answers" I've 
collected during the last year or so: 

 First from Mary: 

  "I have some sight, but I'm legally blind. However, 
  my visual impairment has become more of help than a 
  hindrance to me as an online content editor because 
  I use computer screen magnification and screen 
  reading software to enhance my ability to thoroughly 
  proof text before it goes online. In some instances, 
  I pinpoint typos - little things in the text that my 
  current supervisor, who is sighted, misses." 

 Second from Tom: 

  "I don't drive because of my limited sight, but, 
  under a range of work situations, I've learned how 
  to team up with other workers to carpool. I usually 
  volunteer to keep track of weather and traffic 
  reports each day so we can avoid delays. I often 
  keep track of ride-sharing expenses for the group, 
  too. It's quite easy because I have screen reading 
  software on my laptop, which I often carry with me. 
  These ride-sharing experiences, by the way, have 
  also taught me a lot about team work and group 
  problem solving -- things I can apply when I'm at 
  work." 

 Third from Bev: 

  "I'm sure you've noticed that I talk with some 
  difficulty. This has not had an impact on my ability 
  to manage a communication department, however, 
  because I know how to effectively delegate the 
  functions I cannot do well myself to others on my 
  staff who can. In fact, I've found that, by 
  developing my delegating skills and recognizing 
  excellent performance among my staff members, I've 
  been able to develop strong teams and future leaders 
  for employers." 

In her Assessment 2006 comments, Sharon F. wrote that 
she would find helpful a discussion about "strategies 
for successfully discussing disability in the job 
interview." 

Below is a case study about Sam which touches on both 
the need for a "good question" and Sharon's request 
for a discussion about job interview strategies. 

Please consider Sam's situation and suggest a "good 
answer" for him as he continues his job search. Your 
reply will help Sharon and other eSight members 
develop their interview strategies. 

Sam has been job hunting for three months -- even 
before he was laid off last month from a software 
development company of 2,000 employees due to a 
merger in July 2006. 

Employed by the company for 12 years, Sam had worked 
his way up through several promotions to group 
manager of customer relations within the division 
serving corporate clients when, in 2000, he started 
losing his sight. 

During the last six years, Sam had worked as the 
company's only legally blind employee. He became 
innovative in adapting software and hardware 
solutions for his lack of vision so he could track 
projects with customers and communicate with his 
team. 

But, now at 42, Sam fears that prospective employers 
believe he cannot keep up with the rapid changes 
taking place in software development and that 
adapting operations to his visual impairment would 
just be too much of a hassle for them. 

During his upcoming job interviews, how can Sam use
a "good answer" to help an employer make the 
transition from his disability to what he can offer 
the company?

Submit your "good answer" reply at 
http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=820 

Also, be sure to check the our Member Net replies to 
last week's discussion question about workplace 
bullying at http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=815 

Post your workplace bullying thoughts at 
http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=814 

Special note: Please support eSight Careers Network 
by helping us meet our goal of raising $25,000 by the 
end of December. You may make your donation online at 
http://www.tabinc.org/donate.html 

See *1. below for more details. 

Finally, congratulations to Jo, who recently "took a 
leap of faith" to relocate in a different part of the 
U.S. to gain greater access to public transit. Her goal:
improve her chances of finding employment.

Jim Hasse 
Senior Content Developer 
eSight Careers Network(tm) 

P.S.: Help eSight grow by passing this newsletter to 
 your friends and colleagues. 

 We want to hear from you! E-mail us at 
 MemberServices at eSight.org with your comments, 
 questions and suggestions. Or call us at (212) 
 683-4950, and introduce yourself. 

Note: If you have a product or service that would be 
 beneficial to our growing eSight membership and would 
 like to learn how to become a sponsor of eSight's 
 NetWork News, please contact Nancy O'Connell at 
 212-683-4950 or MemberServices at eSight.org with the 
 word "sponsor" in the subject line. 

eSight's NetWork News (eNN) 
Wednesday, November 8, 2006 

*1. Thank You for Your Support of eSight! 

 Thanks to all of you who are doing something special 
 during this holiday season to support eSight Careers 
 Network. 

 There are three ways you can help. We ask you to 
 select one or more of these opportunities to support 
 eSight. 

 First, you can help us meet our goal of raising 
 $25,000 by the end of December. You may make your 
 donation online at http://www.tabinc.org/donate.html 

 Second, you can help eSight by telling a potential 
 sponsor about our online community. 

 Third, tell us, in an e-mail to MemberServices at eSight.org,
 how the resources that eSight Careers Network provides
 has helped you in developing your career. 

*2. Worthy of Note This Week: 

  "Essential Career Marketing Tactic: Self-presentation" 
  by Jim Hasse 

 An engaging, "crisp" self-presentation was the first
 of eight steps I took in launching my campaign for
 marketing myself to prospective employers.

 Go to: http://www.esight.org/View.cfm?x=905

  "Dave Johnson Tells How to Be Super in Sales"
  by Nan Hawthorne 

  In this interview, Dave Johnson explains how
  salesmanship has helped him succeed as an employee
  and businessman. He says the ability to sell is an
  essential skill for every person who is blind.

  Go to: http://www.esight.org/View.cfm?x=312

  "Best Practices for Interviewing
  a Blind or Print Impaired Job Candidate"
  by Nan Hawthorne 

    It is important to make every step of your
  recruitment process accessible to blind and
  print impaired candidates. This article offers
  some "best practices" so you do not "handicap"
  your own search for the best person for the
  job!

  Go to: http://www.esight.org/View.cfm?x=113

*3. Needed: Help in Setting Up Web Site 

 Scott Treeman is looking for a person to help him get 
 a web site up and running. He writes: 

 "I am in the process of putting together a small home 
 studio with the goal of starting a business creating 
 professional soundtracks for clients tailor-made to 
 their wishes. These soundtracks will be in many 
 styles of music from Jazz, (both ballads and swing) 
 Latin, R&B, Brazilian bossa nova etc. 

 To this end, I am looking for a person to design a 
 web site for me with my services, contact 
 information, some graphics to make the sight look 
 attractive, and space to upload new musical offerings 
 that I will compose on a regular basis to give the 
 site some variety. Any comments other folks would 
 care to share would be greatly appreciated. If there 
 is someone out there who can help, I would love to 
 correspond with you." 

 If you would like to help Scott, please send an 
 e-mail to Member Services with "Scott" in the subject 
 line to memberServices at eSight.org, and we will 
 forward it to him. 

*4. What's Your 'Aha! Moment?' 

 Making meaning of career management from a disability 
 perspective is sometimes a series of mini-epiphanies. 
 That takes time. Ideas have to churn within you 
 sometimes for quite awhile before you can finally see 
 how to apply them to your particular situation. 

 If you find yourself going through that process, 
 consider Using 'Aha! Moments' to record those 
 thoughts for yourself (and others) so you don't lose 
 or forget them and, instead, use them as a way to 
 enrich your eSight learning experience and advance 
 your career. 

 It's another form of virtual mentoring within our 
 eSight community. 

 Go to: http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=790 

*5. Connect With Employers in Your Job Sector 

 Thanks to all of you who also have taken the first 
 step in connecting with the right employers within 
 the job sector that you have determined is right for 
 you. 

 That first step is answering these three questions: 

 What type of job you are seeking to launch or propel 
 your career to the next level? 

 Which industry or non-profit sector is most 
 attractive to you? 

 Where you would like to work in terms of a 
 geographical location? 

 If you have not already done so, you can easily 
 record all three right now at 
 http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=775 

 eSight plans to develop a series of online 
 informational interviews in a group setting so you 
 have expanded opportunities to connect with the right 
 employer. 

 During the next 12 months, eSight will hold a series 
 of online meet-ups, a new form of online networking, 
 between eSight members interested in a particular job 
 sector and a panel of representatives (guest speakers)
 from that sector. 

 These guest speakers will discuss availability and 
 location of jobs within a particular job sector, the 
 skills needed for those jobs and the five-year 
 outlook for those occupations. They'll also tell how 
 to apply for those jobs. 

 Be sure to record your preferences for the upcoming 
 eSight Online Networking sessions at 
 http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=775 

*6. Have You Made Your Thoughts Known? 

 If you haven't done so already, please reply to 
 eSight's Assessment 2006, a short questionnaire about 
 how you describe your current employment situation, 
 how you use eSight and what we can do to improve our 
 services to you as an eSight member. 

 If you're unemployed and need a job, go to: 
 http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=753 

 If you work but you're in a situation that is 
 frustrating and not meaningful for you, go to: 
 http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=754 

 If you're satisfied with your work, go to: 
 http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=755 

 If you help other people get jobs, go to: 
 http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=756 

 In addition to providing insight to distribute to 
 employers, your feedback is very important to us 
 because it helps us in program planning and helps in 
 fundraising. 

*7. SpeakUp: Job Placement Services That Work 

 Please help others find job placement services that 
 work. 

 If you know a job placement service, recruiting, 
 staffing or temporary placement firm that has 
 successfully helped someone with a disability become 
 employed, please share that knowledge with members of 
 the eSight community. 

 Please complete the quick questionnaire at 
 http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=566 

 You can view all replies at 
 http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=554 

*8. Sharing Career Management Resources 

 Gregory J. Rosmaita writes:

 "Many of you have probably been prompted by Windows
 Update or even IE itself that there is a new version
 of MSIE (Internet Explorer) available, MSIE7." 

 There is much valuable information about 
 compatibility, specific plans of specific venders 
 posted on the IEBlog at 
 http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/default.aspx 

 Take this shortcut to read Kelly Ford, IE 
 Accessibility Team's posting, at
 http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=827

 Karen Thomas alerts us that Blindskills, Inc., 
 Salem, OR, is looking for an Executive Director. 
 See http://www.esight.org/View.cfm?x=752 

 Michael R. Burks informs us that AOL and The 
 Paciello Group (TPG) have created a new web community 
 experience which includes: Employment, Entertainment,
 Family, Health, News, and Technology. 
 Find AOL Ability at 
 http://ability.aol.com/ability/index.php 

 Mona Freedman, RN, invites you to participate in The 
 World of Possibilities Disabilities Expo at the 
 Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium, Maryland, on 
 May 18-20, 2007. 

 She says, "Please join us for an incredible 
 educational experience, great networking 
 opportunity, fun and free wheelchair repair!"

 Click on http://www.caringcommunities.org for more 
 information and free admission passes or call Mona 
 Freedman, RN, at 1-866-227-4644. 

 Michele Glaser forwards an announcement that the 
 U.S. Department of Transportation has issued a final 
 rule that incorporates updated accessibility 
 guidelines for bus stops and stations, rail stations 
 and airports. It was published on October 30 in the 
 Federal Register. The new regulations take effect on 
 November 29. You can use this eSight shortcut to 
 download a copy of the new regulations: 
 http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=828 

 The Washington Center is able to provide a total of 
 50 competitive scholarship awards in the amount of 
 $8,500 for each eligible undergraduate student with 
 a disability interested in working in the executive, 
 judicial or legislative branches of the federal 
 government during the fall 2006 and spring 2007 
 semesters (scholarships are not available in the 
 summer). 

 All students will be placed in the executive, 
 legislative, or judicial branches of government. 

 Sample placements include: 
    * U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    * U.S. Department of Homeland Security
    * U.S. Department of Treasury
    * U.S. Department of Labor
    * U.S. Department of Agriculture
    * U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
    * General Services Administration
    * Office of Personal Management
    * U.S. Department of Defense
    * U.S. Department of Commerce
    * U.S. Department of Justice
    * U.S. Department of Education
    * Small Business Administration
    * Congressional Members Offices (House & Senate)

 Learn how you can participate at
 http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=821 

 The National Educational Association of Disabled 
 Students (NEADS) will once again provide a live 
 audio broadcast of its conference workshops taking 
 place on Saturday, November 11, and Sunday, November 
 12.

 Consult the schedule located at 
 http://www.neads.ca/conference2006 for more details. 

 Note that the times listed are Eastern time. The 
 audio broadcast is completely free of charge and 
 will be available in English and French. 

 You will need a computer with either speakers or a 
 headset. You will also need to download free 
 software such as Windows Media Player or WinAmp. 

 If you would like to listen to the conference 
 workshops, register at 
 http://www.nows.ca/conference/en/online.php 

 If you are unable to listen in but would like to be 
 informed once the conference audio and presentations 
 are archived online, e-mail conference2006 at neads.ca 

 Thank you, Gregory, Karen, Michael, Mona and Michele,
 for your contributions.

 Submit your favorite disability employment site,
 blog, tip or job lead at 
 http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=182 

 Explore eSight's Resources for Job Hunters at 
 http://www.esight.org/job_resources.cfm 

 Mark Your Calendar: 

 November 10-11, 2006, Larnaka (Cyprus) International 
 Employment Conference.
 http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=786 

 November 17-19, 2006, WCD Expo 2006, Philadelphia, PA. 
 Bring your resume on Friday, Nov. 17, and meet company 
 reps who are hiring persons with disabilities as well 
 as disability professionals (OTs, PTs, educators, 
 etc.). http://www.wcdexpo.com 

 December 1, 2006 (Deadline), American Association of 
 People With Disabilities Offers Summer 2007 Internship 
 Programs. http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=784 

 January 31 to February 3, 2007, Center on 
 Disabilities' Assistive Technology Training Program. 
 http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=792 

 March 2007, Career Expo 2006-2007, New York City, NY. 
 Careers & the disABLED Magazine's career fairs. 
 http://www.eop.com/schedeventsdc.html 

 April-May 2007, Career Expo 2006-2007, Boston, MA. 
 Careers & the disABLED Magazine's career fairs. 
 http://www.eop.com/schedeventsdc.html 

*9. Job Alert 

 You will find 45 job openings posted on eSight. They 
 can be sorted by city, state and name of company. Here 
 are the most recent postings: 

 Phoenix, AZ.

  Job Title: 508 Remediation Specialist.
  Company: Volt Technical Resources LLC.
  Go to: http://www.esight.org/View.cfm?x=753

 Salem, OR.

  Job Title: Executive Director.
  Company: Blindskills, Inc.
  Go to: http://www.esight.org/View.cfm?x=752

 View all job postings on eSight at 
 http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=64 

*10. What's New on Community News? 

 Check the new postings this week on eSight Community 
 News, which highlights the latest trends, 
 developments, events, seminars etc. in career 
 management and disability employment. 

 Success Stories of Latinos with Disabilities
 Working in Miami, Chicago and Los Angeles at 
 http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=824 

 Technology Fair 2006: Tuesday, November 21, at 
 Carroll Center for the Blind, Newton, MA, at 
 http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=823 

 The Washington Center for Internships
 and Academic Seminars, a Scholarship Program
 for College Students With Disabilities at 
 http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=821 

 Creating Our Future: On Campus and Beyond at 
 http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=822 

 DOL Announces New Credential for Workforce 
 Development Professionals Who Work With Youth at 
 http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=825 

 EEOC: Workers With Disabilities Have 
 Less than One Percent% of US Federal Jobs at
 http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=826

*11. eSight's Resources for Job Seekers, Employers 

 View all job postings on eSight at 
 http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=64 

 Post a job announcement at 
 http://www.esight.org/jobPostPosition.cfm 

 eSight's Resources for Job Hunters at 
 http://www.esight.org/job_resources.cfm 

 Tell us about disability employment sites, blogs, 
 tips, job leads or events at 
 http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=182 

 Or e-mail MemberServices at eSight.org with the words 
 "Resources for Job Seekers" in the subject line, and 
 we'll include them in eSight's NetWork News. 

 Recruiters: Post open jobs on eSight for free at 
 http://www.esight.org/jobPostPosition.cfm 

eSight Careers Network:
The global, cross-disability online community
addressing disability employment issues. 

E-mail: MemberServices at eSight.org
URL: http://www.eSight.org 

"Swimming in the Mainstream" Forum at 
http://www.tabinc.org/sim/ 

Leadership Forum at 
http://www.tabinc.org/st/ 

Job Seeker's Network at 
http://www.tabinc.org/jsn/ 

Resources for Job Hunters at 
http://www.esight.org/job_resources.cfm 

About eSight's NetWork News 

If you enjoy eSight's NetWork News, please forward it 
to friends and colleagues. It comes to you every 
Wednesday from The Associated Blind, Inc. (TAB), a 
not-for-profit organization based in New York City. 

Learn more about eSight's NetWork News at 
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