Applications, Resumes, and Interviews

Any job search starts with deciding what type of work, benefits, schedule, and location suit your needs. Ask yourself these questions:

What kind of work am I interested in?
Do I want the job to be full-time (40 hours a week) or part-time (usually 30 hours or less)?
Do I need employer-provided benefits, such as medical insurance or access to retirement savings?
Do I prefer to work at an employer’s location, outside, or from home?
What work hours are best suited to my needs?

Once you know the answers to these questions, it’s time to begin searching for jobs. Begin by looking at disability-friendly job boards. LinkedIn is also a great place to share information about your professional interests, abilities, and experiences.

Create a list of qualifications

Before you can apply for a job, think about what skills and experiences you have that employers might be looking for. Make a list. This could include any of the following:

Earning a high school diploma or college degree
Leading or working with a team on a project, activity, or club
Using programs such as Microsoft Word or Excel, Google Docs, PhotoShop, and more
Designing or writing documents, flyers, brochures, blogs, articles, websites, posters, or other items
Planning events
Working with customers or clients
Handling money
Having strong communication skills

It may help to sit with someone who knows you well and brainstorm together the types of experiences and skills you have — you may not even realize all the things you’re capable of!

Consider people and businesses you know

It may be surprising to learn that most jobs — anywhere from 75% to 85% — are filled through networking, or personal connections and references. Not only that but candidates who are referred are more likely to be hired than those who apply, sight unseen, for positions where they don’t know the employer. And some employers don’t even post available jobs, hoping to hire from within their networks.

Think about your own personal network — your family, friends, neighbors, peers at school, teachers, former bosses and coworkers, nonprofit organizations, or people who have worked with you in some way through an activity, club, or project. How could you let them know you’re looking for work? Might they have access to opportunities for you? Can you share on social media or through other means that you’re interested in work?

Read job listings thoroughly

A recent report called “Work Change” revealed a shocking fact: More than half of job applications don’t meet all the requirements for their desired positions. Part of this is because the applicants simply didn’t pay attention to the requirements listed in job ads. If you find a position that interests you, be sure to check that you meet the requirements for education, experience, and skills. Make sure you can perform the essential functions of the job.

Also, consider your own needs. Are your physical and mental capabilities a good match for the job? For example, if you feel your best in the morning and struggle to perform well in the evening, it’s best not to apply for a job that requires you to work late in the day. Does it pay enough to meet your financial needs? Does it provide the benefits you need?

Check how to apply

When you find a job that interests you, find out how they want people to apply. Many employers strictly want applications submitted through their websites or job board listings, while others prefer you email them directly. Do they want only an application, or do they also want a cover letter, resume, or list of references? When must all materials be submitted? Applying in the correct way, and by the deadline, is an important first step.

Fill documents out carefully

Many employers have their own applications specifically designed for their needs. Be sure to read them thoroughly and fill out as much information as you possibly can. Don’t rush through, or you might miss something important. Many applications require information about former employers, emergency contact information, dates and locations of schools and programs, and other details that it may take time to gather. Take your time and do it right the first time.

Create a resume that gets noticed

A resume is a document that shows employers your interests, skills, qualifications, and work experience. It’s where you show how you meet the needs of the job in question.

There are many ways to create a resume, and you can find hundreds of resume templates and examples online to help you get started. A few good places to start are:

While the design and organization of your resume is up to you, it should include this basic information:

Your name and contact information (address, phone number, email, LinkedIn page)
A summary of your professional skills or goals
Education and training
Work experience (usually in reverse chronological order)
Skills and qualifications

You might also add volunteer experience, references, or training you’ve received.

Importantly, make sure you tailor your resume to each employer, considering how your background fits with the job you want and how you are uniquely suited to work there. If the job listing asks for a specific set of skills, education level, or years of experience, include those in the resume to demonstrate that you’re qualified. Many employers will seek those specific pieces of information first in order to rule unqualified candidates out.

Be ready to show what you’ve accomplished and what you can do for them. Focus on the employer’s needs.

Finally, employers expect that your resume will be error free, concise, and easy to read, so be sure to have someone proofread it for you.

Write a cover letter

Most employers will ask you to send a cover letter along with your application and/or resume — especially jobs that are past the entry level. In this letter (which should be no more than one page long), introduce yourself by explaining who you are and what job you’re applying for. It’s a good idea to say how you learned about the job as well.

The letter should, like the resume, be tailored to each employer, explaining briefly what skills and experiences you bring that make you a good fit for the job. Don’t simply repeat things that are listed in the resume — instead, talk about how those experiences benefitted you or make you the right candidate for the position and why it interests you.

Finally, be sure to explain any other documents you’re providing with the letter (application, resume, letter of reference, etc.) and how the employer can contact you to arrange an interview. And be sure to thank them for their time in reading your materials.

Interview for the job

Don’t expect to hear back from every employer who receives your application. Employers may have dozens, or even hundreds, of applicants for one job, so it’s often not possible for them to contact everyone.

However, if your application materials contain the information the employer needs and catch their interest, they may just follow up by requesting an interview! Here are some things you can do to ensure it goes well:

Research the company. Find out all you can about the company and the job. You can usually do this by exploring their website. You can even read reviews from former and current employers. Think about questions you might ask about the job, the workplace, and any work arrangements. This shows the employer that you’re interested in them.

Practice interviewing. Organizations like Nevada Vocational Rehab can help you with practice interviews to get you prepared for the real thing. There are also resources available online that provide examples of interview questions for people with disabilities. For example, the U.S. Department of Labor’s CareerOneStop provides a good list of example interview questions, and American Job Centers also provide interview help, including mock interviews.

Think about your needs. Will you need reasonable accommodations for the interview? The ADA requires employers to provide these during their hiring processes. Also, consider how your disability may affect how you perform parts of the job, such as the work area or support you might need. You should be ready to discuss this in the interview.

Dress and act professionally. This is the time to present yourself in the best possible light and demonstrate that you take this opportunity seriously. This means wearing clean, professional clothing; planning your transportation so that you arrive on time (or earlier!); and putting your phone into silent mode and tucking it away so it doesn’t distract from your interview. Don’t worry if you’re nervous — interviewing makes everyone nervous! Employers expect it. It shows that you care!

Thank the interviewer. Be sure to thank the interviewer(s) for their time and ask when you might expect to hear about their decision. Some people even recommend sending thank-you notes a couple days later.

Follow up. Some employers If you haven’t heard anything about the job when you expected to, you might want to call or send a brief, polite email just to check in about any updates.

Ask for feedback. If you find out that you didn’t get the job (this happens to everybody!), ask if they can provide feedback to you about why you didn’t, which shows your desire to grow and learn. This can help you to prepare for future interviews. Feel free to express interest in future positions if they become available.