Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Job Searching Tips & Resources for Teens with Disabilities
May 30, 2012

Posted at 8:32 am in "Jobs" | 0 comments

The jobs you have during high school can give you an idea of what you might like – or NOT like – to do later in life.

Before you start looking for a job, think about what you would like to do.  If you think you’d like to work with kids, you can try it out with a job at summer camp or after-school programs. Museums, hospitals, and zoos are other places you might find work.

This video series will introduce you to parts of the job search process. They provide information and personal experiences from hosts who either have disabilities themselves or work with college students with disabilities. Topics include: resumes, job search tips, disability disclosure, internships, on the job etiquette, clothing, and time/stress management.

Job Searching on the Internet

• Snagajob.com is focused on jobs for teens. You can search by type of position and location to get a list of openings.
• MyFirstPaycheck.com is a site run by teens! Search for jobs and volunteer opportunities.
• Groovejob.com lets you search for part time jobs and internships that are perfect for teenagers. Just type in your city and state and you’ll be on your way.
• Disaboomjobs.com includes jobs from companies that are actively recruiting people with disabilities.

Job Searching in the Community

• Check with your counselor or anyone working in the Guidance Office to see what kind of help they can give. They might have job postings you can look at.
• Think about starting your own business. Babysitting, car washing, lawn mowing, house painting, web site design, teaching computer skills, dog walking, and taking care of pets are all ways you can make money in your community.
• Go into stores and ask if they hiring. Even if they’re not, you can ask to apply anyway to be kept on file should they have an opening. Retail jobs and hospitality jobs aren’t always advertised so this can be your best chance. Make sure you dress appropriately when you stop by!