4 Tips To Land a Great Admin Job for a Disabled Person
The above picture is of a man sitting at a desk working on a computer. This gentleman has a hearing aid.
4 Tips To Land a Great Admin Job for a Disabled Person
With many companies committed to making their jobs more open and accessible to all, it's no longer the case that a disabled person has to jump through numerous hoops just to line up an interview or great new job.
But that doesn't mean that there aren't unique challenges that disabled people face in their job searches. And when it comes to admin jobs for a disabled person, you may need to highlight certain things during the application process that others don't. That can make the job search process more complicated, but it's certainly not insurmountable.
Here are some tips to keep in mind as a disabled person as you search for that next great admin job or your next big career move.
Speak Up for Your Needs
While disabled persons in the past may have tried to hide or minimize their disabilities, today it's more important to ask for what you need. Not only can that give you more confidence during the interview and selection process, but it's also important to know that you're protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990.
You don't have to communicate your entire medical history, but employers are required by law to provide "reasonable accommodations" to qualified job applicants. That said, you won't be able to get these accommodations without disclosing your disability -- which you certainly aren't required to do -- but you should feel no shame in asking for an accommodation that will help you do your job more effectively.
Know How Disability Disclosure Works
Admin jobs for a person with disabilities are out there. However, you don't have to disclose a disability on your resume, cover letter or in any correspondence with a potential employer unless you want to. Only once you're offered the job or brought in for an interview do you need to make a decision over what to disclose. And if your disability doesn't preclude you from doing your job effectively, you won't have to disclose anything at all. It's all up to you and whether or not you need special accommodations to do the job at hand.
Talk up Your Strengths and Experience
Rather than focusing on your disability and hoping that a potential employer will work with you, it can be a good idea to flip the script and explain that you would be a great asset and that your disability won't prevent you from doing your job well. Indeed, your disability doesn't have to be a source of anxiety and concern -- you can show value regardless of your disability, and potential employers will appreciate and respect that. After all, the most important thing to most employers is to have passionate and caring employees, and your disability will never prevent you from doing that.
Leverage the Resources at Your Disposal
Searching for an admin job as a disabled person isn't something you have to do alone. There are many organizations and resources out there to help you find a clerical or admin job -- or even the job of your dreams. The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is a great place to start, as is the Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP).
There are also specialty job search engines out there that cater specifically to disabled persons -- such as our disabled person job search engine -- and they can help you find a great job regardless of where you happen to be. Additionally, because of the coronavirus pandemic and the proliferation of teleconferencing opportunities, you may be able to perform your job from home.
Build a resume or apply for your next great job today!