Moderate Support • Early Career • Goal 1:
Prepare for Employment
Action step 1.
Begin your job search.
Meaningful employment means working in a job or field that is a good match for your unique skills, goals and interests. To get started, you can look for entry-level jobs in the field you are interested in. Look for open positions in your area by browsing online on websites like The Spectrum Careers, Indeed and LinkedIn. Each job listing will include education or experience requirements, essential job duties and steps involved in the application process. For industries like retail or food service, you can also try visiting the location and applying in person.
Resources
Words to know
Action step 2.
Evaluate work-related "soft skills."
While every job requires different technical skills and knowledge, success in any field depends on soft skills. These include things like work ethic, teamwork, organization, willingness to learn and creative problem solving. Talk to a support person who can help you identify which soft skills are areas of strength for you and explore strategies for improving others. In some cases, you may have to ask your employer for accommodations to address your differences in soft skills.
Resources
- From the Autism Speaks Employment Tool Kit - Soft Skills: Understanding the Social Elements of Your Job
- From Autism Speaks - Community-based Skills Assessment
- From the United Disabilities Services Foundation (UDSF) - Top Soft & Hard Job Skills for Adults with Disabilities
- From The Balance Careers - Top Soft Skills Employers Value with Examples
Words to know
Action step 3.
Gather information for your resume, cover letter, job applications and LinkedIn page.
Before you start applying for jobs, make sure you have the information and materials you will need.
- Personal information: Your name, address, telephone number and e-mail address.
- Education: Your educational degree, graduation date and any training experiences, including unpaid work experiences such as internships and volunteer activities.
- Work experience: The dates of your past work experiences and a list of your responsibilities and accomplishments for each role.
- References: Names and contact information of several references — people you have worked with in the past or who have served as a teacher, mentor or group leader. Always ask for permission before using someone as a reference.
Some jobs require a resume and/or cover letter to apply. A resume is a document that summarizes your experience, skills and qualifications for a position. In a cover letter, you express your interest in a specific job or company and describe what makes you a good candidate.
It is also important to create a LinkedIn page. LinkedIn is a powerful networking tool that people use to find jobs and connect with other professionals. Make sure to completely fill out your profile, connect with people you know, and change your settings so that recruiters can see you're looking for a job.
Resources
- From Autism Speaks Employment Tool Kit - Resumes, Cover Letters and Applications
- From the Coalition for Persons with Disabilities - Resume Tips for a Person with a Disability
- From Abilities.com - How to Write the Perfect Resume for a Job Seeker with Disabilities
- From The Muse - How to Build a LinkedIn Profile that Gets Results
- From LinkedIn - Let Recruiters Know You're Open to Work
Words to know
Action step 4.
Prepare for job interviews.
After you apply for a job, you might be contacted for a phone, video or in-person interview. Sometimes, there are multiple rounds of interviews with different people in the company. Job interviews can be stressful, but they are just a type of conversation that gives you and the employer a chance to find out if you are a good match. Remember — this is your opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the organization, workplace environment and company culture. Some autistic people find that working out answers to common interview questions and practicing through role-play helps them stay calm and feel more confident.
Resources
Action step 5.
Review your benefits package.
If your interviews go well, you will receive a job offer that outlines your salary and benefits package. For full-time workers, this typically includes:
- Health insurance, including medical, dental and vision. Often, companies have several health insurance options at different price points and levels of coverage.
- Retirement benefits. A 401(k) is a voluntary retirement savings plan that lets you set aside a percentage of your income for retirement. 401(k) contributions are taken directly from a worker's paycheck, untaxed, and are often matched by an employer. The most common matching rate is 3%, meaning that if you contribute 3% of your salary, your company will put the same amount into your 401(k).
- Life insurance. Many employers offer life insurance in the amount of the employee’s salary at no charge to the employee.
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) or Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). These are pre-tax accounts you can use to pay for healthcare-related expenses.
Before making a final decision about a job, you should closely review your benefits package. You may be able to negotiate your offer if you feel that you deserve a higher salary or better benefits.
Resources
Words to know
Action step 6.
Learn about terms of employment and other key job characteristics.
Once you and your employer agree on a salary and benefits package, you will receive a job contract. When you sign a job contract, you and your employer are saying you agree to certain terms of employment. These include things like salary or pay rate, work hours, benefits, remote work policies, time off, termination laws and other company policies.
Before you sign a contract or make a final decision about a job, review the terms of employment with a support person.
Other key characteristics of a job are not included in the job contract, but are equally important when deciding to accept an offer. These might include:
- Social expectations
- Communication and management styles
- Commute
- Sensory environment
- Workplace culture
Words to know
Action step 7.
Consider your preference for in-person or remote work.
These days, many companies are hiring employees who work from home. Remote work has its benefits and challenges. While many people enjoy the lack of a commute and the freedom of working from home, others feel isolated and struggle to connect with their team.
Before you decide to take a new job, consider what you need to be happy in your role. If you prefer seeing your team in person, a remote job may not be the best choice. However, if you prefer working in a quiet, comfortable environment with no distractions, working from home might be right for you.
If you take a remote job, make sure that you have the technology you need to work remotely. A laptop, fast internet connection and quiet office space are key.
