5 Reliable Job-Search Tips for Blind People (+ 3 LinkedIn Profile Tips)
Imagine this …
You’re drinking your morning coffee, scrolling through job postings.Then, one catches your eye.
Details about the job, the company, what the employer is looking for, and the application process all seem perfect.
You feel your heart skip a beat as you picture a better life in front of you.
You start dreaming about buying the new ILA Pro, going on an exotic holiday, paying off those longstanding bills. A new chapter in life is calling you.
Not bad. On the other hand, you start to worry.
You find yourself asking questions like, will the employer have a negative attitude toward blind people? How and when should you talk about your disability?
Then it’s the question you secretly dread. Will they think you’re good enough?
Sigh.
To be clear finding the right job that comes along with a disability-friendly employer is hard. But, if you take your time and follow the 5 tips below you can do just that.
Let’s jump right in, shall we?
1. Harness the Absolute Power of Social Media
Let’s face it.
Employment has gone virtual.
Job application sites are online while interviews are done by video platforms like Zoom and GoToMeeting.
What does this mean?
It means, gone are the days when a simple resume with a blurry photo was good enough. Today, you are your personal, sensational brand. And you’re online.
Like a plant that has been watered now is the time to grow and be creative. Social media platforms like LinkedIn are mostly accessible and give you the power to create a profile where you can upload your resume and cover letter.
You can even build a digital snapshot to present to your dream employer before the interview.
So, how can you get started?
Here are my 3 nifty LinkedIn tips to help your creative bugs get started.
1. Build a powerful profile, luring headline and a striking banner
When employers carry out a search they can only read your name and headline. So, make that headline sparkle, highlight your skills, and give them a reason to visit your profile. Then, describe what you do and how you can help. Don’t just write your name and job description. Sorry, but that’s just boring.
Instead, focus on how to help them. For example, Expert Brand Strategist Helping Businesses Skyrocket Their Their Best Ideas. You can also use the ResumeWorded LinkedIn headline generator that gives you unlimited examples of LinkedIn headlines instantly.
Next, create that striking LinkedIn banner to dazzle and seduce. Canva is my all time fave marketing design tool. Go ahead. Be bold. Or graceful. It’s up to you.
2. Be delightfully welcoming
Now you want your future employer to feel comfortable reaching out and connecting. Try drizzling personal qualities and achievements to your headline like, compassionate human or creative problem solver, and finish with a bright emoji to lighten up the mood.
3. Add your Call to Action (CTAs)
So, you’ve got the smashing headline and the delightful welcoming tone, what now? You want to engage, encourage and motivate your future employer to take the next step and contact you, and that’s what a reliable CTA signals.
What’s a CTA? It’s that little line of text that makes you want to take action. For example, “contact me”, or “request interview”. When you add a CTA it sends a clear-cut message; you can meet their need and solve their problem.
You’re saying you’re qualified, willing to do the work, and do it well.Drop your CTAs in your cover letter, application, and LinkedIn profile and demonstrate your glowing confidence by asking for a meeting. By now you’ll have realised you have the power to control your personal image and make it shine.
But hang on a minute. Have you thought about who your ideal employer is?
2. Discover your Dream Disability-Friendly Employer
Let me ask you a question.
Which of your employers do you remember?I imagine your favourite employers were absolutely committed to employees with disabilities. Their dazzling support made you feel accepted, and empowered you to grow.
Wondering what the glowing characteristics of a disability-friendly/confident employer are and how can you spot one? Here are 3 fool-proof ways to help you recognise them.
1. They shine on disability job boards
Your outstanding disability-friendly employer is devoted to attracting disabled candidates and will use job boards dedicated to the employment of blind people, as well as agencies or publications.
For example, they will advertise on Evenbreak, Includability or WithNotFor. What’s more likely is that they’ll be business members of organisations supporting disability employment like SIC.
2. They develop and support accessible environments
Like a sweet perfume, captivating and full of promise, your future employers are hooked to eliminating barriers and making reasonable adjustments to your work environment and surroundings.
They also provide you with equipment and accessible technologies.
3. They ensure flexibility in the workforce
They’re open to talking about how to make work-related systems more accessible and carry out consultations with employment specialists to guarantee equipment, software and reasonable adjustments continue to support you.
Congratulations!
You’ve discovered your dream employer and you’re feeling like a frog in a sock wondering if there’s another way to learn more about them.
This leads me to my next tip.
3. Create an Empowering Business Networking Tool that Goes to MAX (and How to Build it)
Did you know networking is a powerful tool? Yes!
Like a strong current, it carries you along, bumps you into big things, and leaves you breathless. In fact, here’s a list of important things networking can do:
Builds your social skills and confidence
Leads to new friends
Provides you with a strong support network
Gives you the strength to meet challenges
Keeps you in the know
Gives you access to industry influencers, workshops, and events
Makes you more visible
Leads to new business opportunities
If you’re wondering where to start, let me help you. You can:
Attend networking events
Join suitable clubs and groups
Engage in valuable mentorship programs
When you focus on expanding your network you’re giving your career the chance it needs to rise up. It gives you the opportunity to build your skills and exchange ideas. Most important of all, it makes you a valuable resource to others.
4. Understand Employers' Lack of Disability Knowledge (and Help them Learn to Lead the Way in Accessibility and Inclusion in the Workplace)
Did you know the cost of hiring an employee who is blind is generally the same as the cost of hiring a person who is sighted?
Yes, that’s right.Why? Because blind or partially sighted people can work 100 per cent independently. I know what you’re thinking. So, why do employers shy away from hiring blind people? Because employers don’t understand your capabilities. Sadly, they only see your disability.
You see, even though employers are always looking for employees who are problem-solvers, adaptable, flexible, and with a positive attitude; the stigma, the misconceptions, and the myths about hiring blind people are toxic. The answer?
Avoid thinking, “society doesn’t need me, businesses don’t want me.” Demonstrate to employers you’re someone who can help drive the team to success.
Show them they’re sold on the idea of hiring you.
They just don’t know how to make it work.
How? Help them recognise and understand the challenges and unconscious bias a blind person faces.
Guide them to solutions and show them how they can create a mutually supportive community, and lead the way to a disability-confident business.
5. Get to Know your Rights and be Brave About Them
Do you feel comfortable talking about your disability right off the bat before an interview? Sigh.
Look, there's no law saying you have to. However, if you're hoping for reasonable adjustments or even a claim of disability discrimination, you might have to. The Equality Act 2010 says employers have a duty to make “reasonable adjustments”.
What does that mean? It means, there are different types of reasonable adjustments your employer will be expected to make for you.
These could be any of the following:
Changes to a job description/transferring duties to other staff
Providing the right equipment (such as a CCTV)
Providing the right software (such as ZoomText/JAWS/Supernova)
Adjusting your working environment (level of lighting)
Changing procedures (your medical appointments are recorded as "disability-related leave" rather than sick leave)
Enabling you to bring your guide dog to work
Providing you with a support worker.
Prospective employers aren’t allowed to ask you any disability-related questions.
They can make limited enquiries to see if any reasonable adjustments need to be made for you during an interview, or when carrying out your work.
And, while there’s no best way to put yourself at the top of the applicants' pile, thinking about what is good for you and following your heart is the better start.
Stop Waiting for a Great Job Opportunity and Start Creating One.
The difficult truth is entering the work world can be an exciting and scary change.
Juggling between finding the right job with the right employer can leave you feeling like chasing a unicorn. But with a little creativity, a dash of flexibility, and a sprinkle of patience you can do it. Sure, not every connection will become a fantastic business relationship, but every connection can teach you something.
Use the tips above to jump-start your creative process. Roll up your sleeves and get to work. It’s time to get that job.
Written by Lia Stoll
Disability writer who helps businesses create content promoting disability inclusion in the workplace.