Interview Strategies
Archived posts from this Category
Disability & Work – Gaps Strategy #5
Posted by admin on 07 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Interview Strategies
For service providers, scheduling practice interviews could boost a job seeker’s confidence and ability to answer difficult questions with poise and confidence. Recording such interviews may provide the job seeker with helpful visual feedback towards improving their demeanor and communication skills.
Disability & Work – Gaps Strategy #4
Posted by admin on 04 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Interview Strategies
Gaps in a resume are less problematic if good work experience can be illustrated. This is true even of volunteer experience not related to the specific field in which the job seeker is applying. If a job seeker is unemployed for an extended period of time, it might be a good idea to volunteer in order to gain valuable experience to share with an employer.
Disability & Work – Gaps Strategy #3
Posted by admin on 31 Oct 2008 | Tagged as: Interview Strategies
A job seeker can explain gaps either in the main body of a resume or in a cover letter. If a cover letter is used, a job seeker should take care to communicate a positive and confident attitude. By explaining the reason for the gap up front, an employer will not be left wondering and possibly dismiss the resume due to lack of information.
Job seekers may also adapt the format of a resume to emphasize their skills and abilities while placing less emphasis on a detailed career history. A “functional resume” format does not outline a career in reverse chronological order, but groups experience under appropriate skill sets. Examples of skill sets includes marketing/sales, budget/finance etc. A functional resume can also be combined with a regular reverse chronological resume. By using this hybrid format, a job seeker will first draw the attention of the employer to their skills. A chronological account of his or her career will follow only after the employer has already been impressed by their ability.
Disability & Work – Gaps Strategy #2
Posted by admin on 28 Oct 2008 | Tagged as: Interview Strategies
Some gaps are trickier to explain. These include periods of unemployment, which may or may not be related to disability or illness. If the mentioning of gaps can’t be avoided, an explanation is preferable to simply ignoring it – leaving employers to draw their own conclusions. Even if time away from work was related to an unexpected and negative event, a job seeker may still be able to turn this into a positive by reflecting on lessons learned and how these could be helpful in the workplace.
Disability & Work – Gaps Strategy #1
Posted by admin on 24 Oct 2008 | Tagged as: Interview Strategies
Keep in mind that not all gaps need to be mentioned. These include gaps that lasted for a couple of months or occurred long ago. In such cases, it is often easiest to give only the years, rather than the months of a job seekers career history. If the gap in employment was used constructively, the job seeker may consider including it in his or her resume. Often, time taken out to travel, study or pursue a dream could be used to a job seekers advantage. Many people have gaps in their employment due to maternity or paternity leave. Such details can also be mentioned and it may be useful to reassure employers that all childcare arrangements have been made for your return to the workplace.
Disability & Work – Explaining Gaps in Employment
Posted by admin on 21 Oct 2008 | Tagged as: Interview Strategies
When it comes down to business, employers want to hire reliable people committed to their jobs. For this reason, most employers check for a progressive path through education and work and are sensitive to gaps in the resume of a potential employee. If such gaps remain unexplained, employers will often assume the worst. However, by offering positive explanations of the time spent away from work a job seeker may turn a gap into an asset and reassure an employer of their reliability and skill.
How a job seeker decides to explain gaps in his or her career depends, to a large degree, on the reason behind the gap. The key, however, is to keep it as positive as positive as possible. Whether the gap is due to a disability or another reason, the next 5 posts will contain strategies for effectively dealing with gaps in employment.
Disability Interview Strategies – Tip #5
Posted by admin on 06 Jun 2008 | Tagged as: Interview Strategies
Tip #5: Practice, practice, practice! Don’t go to a job interview thinking you will be able to “wing it,” especially as it relates to addressing your disability. Often, when we’re nervous, we will either say too much or too little. It’s always best to script out what you will say, anticipate possible questions, and then practice your response. Get the advice of a trusted friend or colleague. Go in prepared to dazzle them!
Disability Interview Strategies – Tip #4
Posted by admin on 03 Jun 2008 | Tagged as: Interview Strategies
Tip #4: Don’t let your disability define you. You are a combination of many wonderful skills and abilities. The more positive you are, the more an employer will focus on your attributes. Remember – you are a job candidate that just happens to have a disability. Keep the focus on YOU!
Disability Interview Strategies – Tip #3
Posted by admin on 30 May 2008 | Tagged as: Interview Strategies
Tip #3: Be proactive! Be prepared to demonstrate how you will be able to perform the essential functions of a job with or without an accommodation. Don’t wait for an employer to ask, especially if your disability is apparent. Share with confidence how you’ll be able to successfully get the job done and include examples of how past accommodations or modifications have worked to everyone’s advantage. Your confidence will help dispel any concerns the employer may have.
Disability Interview Strategies – Tip #2
Posted by admin on 27 May 2008 | Tagged as: Interview Strategies
Tip #2: When you are scheduling an interview, be sure to ask up front what the process involves (e.g. Will testing of any sort occur? How will the tests be administered? Where will the interview occur?). If you do require an accommodation at the initial interview, ask the employer as far ahead of time as possible. Don’t wait until the last minute! Be open to other suggested accommodations by the employer if they would satisfactorily meet your needs. Remember, an employer is not required to provide you with the exact accommodation you request. Show your openness during this interactive process.
