[Jobs] How to Land Your First Job

Tue Oct 2 07:31:47 CDT 2007

This article has some very good things to say.  What it doesn't
emphasize enough is pure and simple qualifications/know-how.  I agree
that interning is important, not only because it "gives you a real world
view" as the author says, but, it helps you understand whether you can,
in fact, do the job.

What I find that people with disabilities can't answer is the most
simple question of all: "What are your marketable skills?"  That's it!
Not complicated folks.  If you don't have marketable skills then there's
no sense in looking for a job.  If you do, you need to know what they
are.  You need to know how you compare with others in your chosen
occupation.  

I don't discount the level of discrimination out there, but, knowing
what your marketable skills are and being able to demonstrate them with
excellence goes a long way toward minimizing any discrimination.

Every company, every nonprofit, every person, needs to know what their
best is and that is what they have to sell.

Volunteering and interning will help both you and potential employers
know what your best is.  Many years ago I had a young lady who wanted to
be a waitress at one of my restaurants.  She had hair that was dyed
three different colors and a ring in her nose with a chain from there to
her ear.

I told her that our restaurant simply had a different image than the one
she presented.  She said that she believed she had a magical touch with
customers that would make her appearance immaterial.  I tried her for a
day.  And, lo and behold, she did indeed have a stunning ability to
serve and to leave a strong positive impression in the minds of her
customers.  Of course I hired her.  I was in business to make money.

The point is, she knew what her best was and was willing to put that
best up against all of my other waitresses and my past experience as
well.

Another important thing to note is that she wasn't bluffing.  She really
knew, as should we all, what her best was.
Mike Bullis

Michael Bullis, NOMC
Blind Industries and Services of Maryland
410-737-2604
email mbullis at bism.org

-----Original Message-----
From: jobs-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:jobs-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Peter Altschul
Sent: Monday, October 01, 2007 10:46 AM
To: employment at acb.org; 'Jobs for the Blind'
Cc: 'Carter, Stephen'; 'Smart,Lana'
Subject: [Jobs] How to Land Your First Job

How to Land Your First Job

By Daryl Hannah

Date Posted: September 28, 2007

Let's face it-landing your first job is never easy. The process involves
countless hours of scouring job boards, completing dead-end automated
applications, and if you're lucky, scoring a 15-minute job interview for
which you've spent five days rehearsing your elevator pitch, ironed your
suit and borrowed a friend's briefcase.

Members of Generation Y have been accused of not wanting to "pay their
dues," but you can't start as the CEO. You have to swallow your pride
and get that first job and then prove how smart and great you are. If
you are a person of color, a person with a disability, or an LGBT
person, this process is more complicated. You have to prove yourself
time and time again to mainstream bosses, constantly questioning how
much of yourself to reveal and how badly you want to work for a company
that may not get "you" at all. (For more on generational issues in the
workplace, read the May 2007 issue of DiversityInc magazine.)

You really don't want to be the barrier breaker, especially for an
entry-level job. Try someplace where you have mentors, an employer that
is going to be comfortable with you as you grow.

The proven national diversity leaders are The DiversityInc Top 50
Companies for DiversityR, who average 42 percent new hires who are
people of color, compared with a national work force that is 26 percent
people of color (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics). If you
are looking at larger companies, aim for companies on the Top 50.
Otherwise, you may find yourself feeling like you are "not the right
fit."

Here are 5 tips from experts on managing who you are while landing and
keeping your first job:

No. 1: Know Thyself Understanding who you are personally, including
knowing your strengths and weaknesses, will undoubtedly help you
professionally. "A lot of students don't really understand what their
disabilities are and how it can affect how they perform on a job," says
Alan Muir, executive director of Career Opportunities for Students with
Disabilities (COSD). "Have a full understanding of your abilities and
disabilities." Being clear on who you are-and what you can and cannot
do-not only makes your job search more effective and makes the interview
go more smoothly, it also makes penetrating the office culture easier.

Understand who you are professionally as well. Know what makes you
comfortable and uncomfortable in the workplace. Testing different
environments is key to successfully determining what works for you.
"Internships are very important. It gives you a 'real-world view' and
prepares you for different workplace situations," says Yolanda Johnson,
director of the Office of Careers at Bennett College for Women.

No. 2: Be Upfront About Who You Are ... But In Your Own Time There are
many factors at play, including job type and your personal comfort
level, that determine the best time to disclose your orientation or
disability.
Unfortunately, there is no "right time" to disclose, and legally, you
are not required to say anything. Asking questions about the workplace
environment and the company's employee-protection laws will help you
evaluate what is important to disclose and when is the appropriate time.
For applicants with disabilities, putting your disability in your cover
letter is an option-but, as Muir warns, you must be aware of potential
ramifications.

"This option can be positive but most likely will be negative. If you
have leadership and work experience, this option may not work against
you, but it certainly will not absolve you from the burden of discussing
it," says Muir.

No. 3: Do Your Homework Before the interview, understand the company's
mission statement and antidiscrimination policy, and equally important,
find out what matters to the employer. Understanding these factors is
key in helping you measure your potential happiness and comfort level
and, ultimately, your future success with the company.

"Know a lot about the workplace before coming in for the interview,"
says Eliza Byard, deputy executive director of the Gay, Lesbian and
Straight Education Network (GLSEN). Consider the interview the time to
impress your interviewer with what you know about the company. During
the interview, ask pertinent questions that will give you further
insight to your potential employer.

"I tell my students to use their interview time to really get a feel for
the environment. If it's not offered, ask for a tour to get an idea for
the potential work area," says Johnson.

No. 4 Study the Corporate Culture There is a lot you can learn about a
company before stepping foot in the front door. Use external resources
that make evaluating company diversity their business, such as the Top
50 list.
Here is where the interview process helps you as the potential employee.
Use the interview as a time to ask pertinent questions that speak to the
office culture, such as: Are there affinity groups for LGBT employees?
How accommodating is your office to people with disabilities? Are there
outlets for a person of color to utilize if a situation arises that
seems to be racially motivated?

No. 5 Build a Network of Advisers Forging relationships with seasoned
professionals in and out of your profession who have endured being a
person of color, a person with a disability, or an LGBT person in
different environments will prove to be an excellent resource as you
launch your career. However, balance here is pivotal. Include people not
like you in your network for panoramic perspectives.

"There are different issues that women face versus women of other ethnic
groups. However, we try to match students with non-black mentors to
offer a well-rounded view, which is important," says Johnson.