[humanser] Job Interviews

Fri Jan 13 10:35:51 UTC 2017

Hi Sherry,

First, thumbs up for asking the questions that can be difficult to ask. Also, this is a safe space to ask these questions. I guarantee based on my own experiences you will receive caring and candid feedback from your peers both students experienced human service workers.

I would like to offer you the following food for thought. First, be sure to ground your self and a positive attitude toward blindness. When you can reduce it to a characteristic and or a new since then, I believe, it will be easier to see the value and not bringing up this characteristic. While I see my blindness as a characteristic there are some perspective employers who see it as a tragic deficiency. Periodically interviewers may ask or try to imply a question such as, how will you do XY and Z? At my last interview I was asked this very question. Fortunately I received some good coaching from someone in the NFB. First, I took the question at face value second I ask the interview panel list if this is a question that is asked of everyone. Talk about feeling like I was walking on eggshells and I even felt a little bit like I was doing something wrong. I did not go to the interview with the intention of proving myself as a blind person. I went to the interview under the auspice is of I know how to do this job I am really good at these skills and that's why you should hire me.

I have been employed for about 10 months. I wish I could say I love my job. I can't. Today I saw a doctor and I am out on general leave for at least a week. Well I am out I will be looking for another job. This is my experience and definitely not the experience of everyone on this list.

I am really looking forward to reading your posts about your adventures with job hunting going to interviews and landing that just right job for you!

From,
Lisa Irving

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jan 13, 2017, at 2:16 AM, Justin Williams via HumanSer <humanser at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Do not mention that you are blind in your cover letter or resume unless you
> are applying for a position where doing such will help you.  Other than
> that, do not.
> As far as the transportation issue, if you feel you can do the job, than
> apply.  
> That's going to depend upon area, context, reasonable accommodations, and
> your own abilities to create way of getting from point a to  point b.  
> I'm not a proponent of just apply, then just figure out the transportation,
> you should have somewhat of an idea of how you are going to get around in
> your head before applying, but not knowing everything about the job means
> you will probably have to adapt it some.  Certain accommodations can be
> having consumers come to you, only working with people within a certain
> radius, over the phone, skype, chat, or anything else you can think of.  I'm
> going to take paratransit, or uber to some of my own appointments.   If you
> have SSDI, you can use Impairef related work expenses (IRWEs) to pay for
> transportation.  If you have SSI, you can use blind work expenses to pay for
> transportation.  You can also find your own drivers, or another
> accommodation is that your work can pay for drivers, though be careful
> trying that one unless you work for a voc rehab agency, or one use to
> persons who don't drive as employees. 
> Justin
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: HumanSer [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Sharri
> Anderson via HumanSer
> Sent: Thursday, January 12, 2017 11:03 PM
> To: Human Services Mailing List <humanser at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Sharri Anderson <mzanderson27 at gmail.com>
> Subject: [humanser] Job Interviews
> 
> Hello everyone!
> I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday! I have a few issues concerning
> job interviews, and I am hoping that you all can help me with some
> suggestions. My first question is, when sending your resume in and cover
> letter should you mention in the cover letter that you are visually
> impaired/blind? Secondly, what are your suggestions on how to address the
> issue of having a valid drivers license and were having and available source
> of transportation. Since I have become visually impaired I have not been on
> any job interviews, so I am a little apprehensive. 
> I appreciate any advice that you could give me because I am very anxious
> about the situation.
> Thank you!
> 
> Sharri Anderson, MSW
> 
> Cell: 502-797-6734
> Email: Sharri.anderson27 at gmail.com
> 
> 
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