YOUR JOB SEARCH
Once you have an idea of what kind of job you want, it is time to start your job search. This section will discuss some strategies that should help you.
Networking
"It's not what you know, it's who you know."
Networking is a powerful job-hunting tool.
A good place to start your job search then is with your personal support network, mentioned in our Where do you start section. Then reach out to neighbors, people in your faith community and friends in your social groups. Tell them what you are looking to do. Ask them if they know of any opportunities and if they could keep you in mind if they hear of any.
If they do share opportunities with you, ask questions to make sure you understand the job and the company. For instance, ask them to explain what the company does in just a few short sentences. Try to find out as much as you can so you can determine if the opportunity is a match for you. You should also ask them who you should contact at the company and how - by phone, by email, or in person - or ask them for an introduction.
Helpful Resource: “Soft Skills to Pay the Bills, Section 4: Networking”, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)
Personal perspective: “You never know until you ask.”
By Ilene Lainer, Parent and Former Executive Director of NEXT for AUTISM
The vast majority of job seekers find their jobs through a personal contact. However, for young adults with autism who already are faced with social and communication challenges, people often suggest that they seek their job by looking at job postings or responding to online openings. This approach is not as likely to be effective, not only because the impersonal approach is less successful for most people, but also because young adults with autism like you may benefit from a personal connection or the willingness of a friend or a relative to accommodate your needs, such as introducing you in person.
First, determine that kind of job and type of environment in which you would be most likely to succeed. Then, tell everyone you know – friends, relatives, neighbors, local store owners with whom you have a connection, members of your house of worship, members of clubs or associations to which you belong, or any other person who you know:
“I am good at ‘X’ (data entry, packing boxes, filing, scanning documents, etc.). I am a hard worker who will follow the rules and not spend a lot of time socializing. I always have a smile and am a joy to work with.”
Ask them, “Do you know anyone who owns a business or is responsible for hiring an entry-level position in which I could do ‘X’ in a ‘Y’ kind of environment (quiet, not direct customer contact, outdoors/indoors, etc.)? Could you please help me meet this person? I want to ask if they have an entry level job opening and see if they would be willing to talk with me about it.”
Workbook activity: Your network
Make a list of all the people you know who could be helpful in your job search. Make note of their contact information, your relationship and the industry they are in or type of work they do. This workbook can be downloaded here.
Example, (830) 555 6789, j.lozano@council.gov, former boss, public sector/legislature.
Social networking sites
Social media websites have become an increasingly effective job search tool. You can use them to create a personal profile, make connections and expand your network. Social media can include text, audio, video, images, podcasts and other multimedia.
Check out our:
Other popular ones are:
TIP: Social media can offer many advantages but also has many risks. While it can help you connect with others, it can also open you up to bullying and might put you at risk of sharing personal information about you or your disability that you don’t want someone to know.
Protect yourself. Before engaging or connecting with someone, review that person’s or organization's activity on a social network. If you are unsure have someone in your network check them out. Be cautious. It is better not to share your personal information than to overshare it.
Here are some helpful tips to protect your online image:
- Be careful. Don’t post anything on your page, on your friends posts or any public post that you wouldn’t want a prospective employer to see. Derogatory comments, revealing photos, foul language and lewd jokes will be viewed as a reflection of your character.
- Be discreet. If your network offers the option, consider setting your profile to “private,” so that it is viewable only by friends of your choosing. You may want to use the “block comments” feature and prevent your posts from being shared on others pages. Remember, once it is on the internet, it cannot be erased.
- Be prepared. Check your profile regularly to see what comments have been posted. Use a search engine to look for online records of yourself to see what is out there about you. If you find information you feel could be detrimental to your candidacy or career, see about getting it removed. In the meantime make sure you have an answer ready to counter or explain anything a prospective employer or coworker finds.
Helpful resource: “Soft Skills to Pay the Bills: A Word About Social Networking”, Department of Labor ODEP.
Researching companies and jobs
Another way to search for a job is to look at companies that are already hiring people with disabilities.
Fair360 (formerly DiversityInc), a leading source of information on diversity management across corporate America, publishes a list of the top companies for people with disabilities, including autism. Companies who make the list must go above and beyond providing accommodations and flexible work schedules. They must also recruit, retain and promote people with disabilities and create an inclusive corporate culture for people with both physical and hidden disabilities like ASD. Click here to review a list of companies who make Fair360's Hall of Fame list.
Additionally you can check out Disability:IN, a nonprofit resource for business disability inclusion worldwide, and the list of companies they recognize annually as corporate leaders in disability integration in the workplace.
Other job search resources
These sites offer online job postings by companies looking to hire people with disabilities:
Note: Remember to consider your transportation options when searching for a job. If you rely on public transportation, you’ll need to ensure you can get to and from any job for which you are applying. We discuss more about transportation later in this tool kit.