The job search is an exciting-yet-nerve wracking experience. You have to convey your attributes, surpass a rigorous interview period and, hopefully, get an awesome new job with some truly wonderful colleagues!
But finding a job can be difficult for people with a disability, especially when you consider that NDIS reported that only 21% of Australians over 25 with a disability have paid work.
The best disability support services Melbourne has available can help people find enjoyable and meaningful work, with these tips being an important aspect of the search:
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Recognise your top attributes
The best place to start is by recognising your skills and attributes before writing your CV. This includes asking yourself the following questions:
- What are some of the things I’m really good at?
- What previous experience have I had?
- Do I need some prior work experience before entering my chosen field?
- Can I receive training through disability support services?
To enjoy a fun and successful new career, it always starts with knowing exactly what you like and where you want to work. Your attributes are what makes you stand out from the crowd, and what will make you find the perfect role for what you enjoy and are good at.
You may have concerns that you may not be able to find a role in your chosen workforce, but it is important to remember that you have many skills and attributes that employers seek. Not only this, there are many avenues for finding people who will help you on the path to your new job!
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Write your resume & cover letter
Now that you’ve listed your top skills and attributes and decided what kind of work you would like to do, it’s now time to write your resume, cover letter and apply for some jobs!
You need to write two things: a cover letter and a resume. Your resume lists your skills, education and experience whilst your cover letter is a letter to the hiring manager detailing a bit more about yourself and why you would like to work for their particular establishment. You can also find plenty of detailed information on Google on how to write both a resume and cover letter.
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Keep a positive mindset whilst on your search
Applying for jobs can be difficult, and you may not get the very first job you apply for – but don’t despair, as your search is only just beginning, and you might just have to be persistent to ensure you find the perfect job for you!
Some tips for staying positive during what can be a trying period include:
- Remember the reasons why you want a great job – this will keep you motivated and focused even when you might not get the job in which you were hoping.
- Be persistent and remember to allot a certain time period every day to your applications. Persistence truly is key to finding a great job and sometimes only continuing to apply will provide you with the opportunities to wow potential employers.
- Be gentle on yourself and realise that if you didn’t get the particular job there’s a very good chance that many other applicants didn’t get the same job. Perhaps this one just wasn’t for you, right? By keeping this in mind you can continue to apply with the knowledge that something will eventually arise that is more suitable to your skills and interests!
These three tips will help you on the road to finding an amazing job in a great industry. Remember, you can enlist the best disability support services Melbourne has to help you with your search, so feel free to contact them if you need any support!
