A job seeker can explain gaps either in the main body of a resume or in a cover letter. If a cover letter is used, a job seeker should take care to communicate a positive and confident attitude. By explaining the reason for the gap up front, an employer will not be left wondering and… Click to read the full article
Disability & Work – Gaps Strategy #2
Some gaps are trickier to explain. These include periods of unemployment, which may or may not be related to disability or illness. If the mentioning of gaps can’t be avoided, an explanation is preferable to simply ignoring it – leaving employers to draw their own conclusions. Even if time away from work was related to… Click to read the full article
Disability & Work – Gaps Strategy #1
Keep in mind that not all gaps need to be mentioned. These include gaps that lasted for a couple of months or occurred long ago. In such cases, it is often easiest to give only the years, rather than the months of a job seekers career history. If the gap in employment was used constructively,… Click to read the full article
Disability & Work – Explaining Gaps in Employment
When it comes down to business, employers want to hire reliable people committed to their jobs. For this reason, most employers check for a progressive path through education and work and are sensitive to gaps in the resume of a potential employee. If such gaps remain unexplained, employers will often assume the worst. However, by… Click to read the full article
Disability Etiquette – Tip #7
Tip #7 – Be Sensitive to Hidden Disabilities If a person makes a request that seems out of the ordinary, it may be related to a hidden disability. Hidden disabilities including a variety of conditions such as a learning or psychiatric disability. Be sensitive to needs that may not be apparent.
Disability Etiquette – Tip #6
Tip #6 – Ensure Accessibility Ensuring your facilities are safe and accessible to a wide variety of persons is one of the best ways to communicate an open and accepting attitude towards persons with disabilities.
Disability Etiquette – Tip #5
Tip #5 – Use Empowering Terminology Always use person first language when referring to someone with a disability. Say “person with a disability” not “disabled person”. Avoid negative disempowering words which focus on the impairment rather than the individual – such as “wheelchair bound”, “crippled” or “handicapped”. Some persons with disabilities dislike jargony euphemistic terms… Click to read the full article
Disability Etiquette – Tip #4
Tip #4 – Communicate Effectively Always address a person with a disability directly. Don’t speak to his companion, assistant or sign language interpreter. The use of common expressions such as “see you later” or “it was good to hear from you” are also perfectly acceptable. When communicating with a person who is blind, make sure… Click to read the full article
Disability Etiquette – Tip #3
Tip #3 – Respect Private Space Persons with disabilities consider their equipment part of their personal space. Don’t touch any assistive device or push a wheelchair without permission. If a person uses a guide dog, don’t pet or distract the animal. Remember, the animal is working. If you need to make physical contact in order… Click to read the full article
Disability Etiquette – Tip #2
Tip #2 – Always Ask, Never Assume Ask before you help. If a setting is accessible, persons with disabilities can usually get along on their own. If you are uncertain in any situation – just ask. Don’t assume. Persons with disabilities are the best judge of what they can or cannot do and will also… Click to read the full article