7 Tips for Finding Work if You Have Limited Mobility
7 Strategies for Finding a Great Job Despite
Having Limited Mobility
Living with limited mobility doesn’t need to stop
you from being successful in the workplace. However, you do need to strategize
your search for work to find a position that fits your abilities and helps you
convince a potential employer that you’re more than capable of handling the job
requirements. These seven tips are exactly what you need to get a strong start
on finding the perfect position.
1. Identify the Right Industry
Matching your skills and abilities to a specific industry can help you while job searching. People with disabilities shouldn’t waste time on
applications for jobs that aren’t a good fit. The right industry for you to
start a career in is based on factors such as your past education and work
experience combined with your present abilities. For instance, a job in sales
may be a perfect fit if you have a background in marketing.
2. Refine Your Resume
Your resume is one of the first things an employer notices about you, and it
should reflect your best accomplishments. After putting together your resume,
make sure to have it reviewed by several other people you trust. This way, they
can catch any mistakes so the resume you submit is professional and
polished.
3. Keep the Focus on Your
Abilities
When you speak to a potential employer, keep things positive. Instead of
mentioning the things you cannot do, make sure to highlight the qualities that
make you the ideal candidate for the position. For instance, talking about your
excellent customer service skills or ability to meet tight deadlines will leave
a strong impression on your interviewer.
4. Be Honest About Your Ability to Meet
the Job Requirements
While you should keep things positive, you also need to make sure your needs
will be met once you begin working. If you require special accommodations such
as a mobility aid or frequent breaks to rest, make sure the employer is aware
of this from the very beginning. In most cases, you’ll find companies are very
accommodating as long as everyone knows what to expect.
5. Research Potential Companies
Your happiness and success at work is influenced by the company culture. Make
sure the companies you apply to work at celebrate having a diverse workplace
that is accepting of people with different levels of abilities. Try doing an
online search to check for news articles about a potential company, and view
their website as well.
6. Practice Your Interviewing Skills
Interviews may inspire a sense of nervousness, especially if you’re still new
to explaining your limited mobility to others. However, it helps to practice
your answers to common interview questions until you feel confident you can
handle any potential situation.
7. Make a Strong First Impression
A little prep work ensures potential employers are impressed by your
professionalism from the very beginning. If you’ve never been to the location
before, try to visit beforehand to identify things such as accessible entrances
and the easiest route from the front door to the interviewer’s office. Then,
make sure to arrive for your meeting in professional attire with a smile that
lets the employer know you’re eager to get started in your new position.
If you live with limited mobility and are
concerned there might not be any suitable jobs for disabled people, there’s no need to
worry. Take a look at the job listings on disABLEDperson, Inc., where there are
many options to suit a variety of skill sets. If you’d like to learn more about
our charitable organization, please give us a call today at 760-420-1269.