Getting Job Ready: 5 Top Tips for People with Disability
Navigating the world of employment is an exciting time, but it can also be nerve-racking. With these top tips, you can feel more relaxed about making the transition.
Getting a job for the first time is a big deal.
So, it can be natural to feel anxious about entering the workforce.
But this concern does not have to remain.
Preparation is the key to a smooth transition to employment.
To help you prepare, we have five top tips for getting job ready.
1. Focus on Developing Your Skills
The first step to building the confidence required to enter the workforce is to identify the skills you would like to strengthen.
Talk to your Support Coordinator about what you enjoy, what you are good at and what you wish to achieve in your career.
Armed with this information, they can help you to work towards advancing the skills that give you the best chance of finding a role you can succeed at – and which is satisfying.
If you would like to develop specific skills, like using power tools, consider enrolling in a course, such as those offered by Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions.
Continuous learning not only enhances your skill set but demonstrates your commitment to growth.
2. Embrace Learning Opportunities
An excellent way to begin your job-finding journey is by embracing learning opportunities.
We have the perfect starting point.
Endeavour Foundation’s Learning and Lifestyle hubs are geared towards helping people with disability to acquire new skills in a safe, supportive and welcoming environment.
They even have dedicated resources to improve your work skills, notably the Thrive Learning program and state-of-the-art Virtual Reality learning programs.
These learning platforms are tailored to individual interests and goals and can be tackled at a pace that suits you.
As a bonus, our Learning and Lifestyle hubs are wonderful places to socialise and participate in other fun-filled activities that improve general life skills.
3. Consider Work Experience
Undertaking work experience is a great way to ease into a workplace environment.
This pathway allows you to focus on getting used to a job while building your skills.
At Endeavour Foundation, our dedicated work experience program helps soon-to-be school leavers to prepare for their transition to employment – with support and guidance from experienced mentors and supervisors.
As part of the program, we will work with your school to design a personalised plan that sets you up for success.
4. Think About the Job You Want
Once you have developed the necessary skills required to enter the workforce, consider the job options available to you.
Again, your Support Coordinator can help you with this.
Focus on employment opportunities that suit your interests, skills and goals.
Finding a job that complements your skill set, and which is most likely to be enjoyable and rewarding, is a win for both you and your future employer.
Looking for a job? Start the search here.
5. Be Patient
Whether it is in the learning phase or when applying for jobs, try to stay patient.
Remember, everyone learns new skills at different paces. And job hunting takes time.
Stay positive and believe in your abilities.
You will reach your goals.
Let Us Help You
Looking for support to transition to the workforce? We can help.
Endeavour Foundation has decades of experience assisting people with disability to become job ready and secure employment.
In fact, we are Australia’s largest employer of people with intellectual disability.
Discover more about our various employment pathways or learn more about our popular Learning and Lifestyle hubs.
Or reach out to us directly.