Developing Employment Opportunities for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Job

Seekers in Today’s Economy.

What should we be doing differently?

Dawn Lucas

National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID)

Center on Employment (NCE)

Rochester Institute of Technology

The NCE Team!

What do we do?

We prepare our students for seeking, securing and maintaining employment

We connect our current students, graduates and alumni with employers

We educate employers about our students, their skills and about how deaf and hearing employees can work together effectively

The Economy is “BAD”!

Seriously this time!

So what?

What does that mean to us who help people find jobs?

What do we do? What are our options?

Options

a. We give up and go home

b. We explain to our clients/students that the economy is “bad” so they probably won’t find a job anytime soon

c. We face the challenges, figure out what is working and adjust our strategies and expectations accordingly. We work smarter.

Challenges that We are Facing

•Not as many jobs out there

•Tougher competition for existing jobs

Figuring out what’s working

•Identify and evaluate successes•Analyze where efforts seem consistently “wasted” or ineffective•Develop a plan

"A goal without a plan is just a wish."--Antoine de Saint Exupery

Today’s economic climate: Developing a Plan

How do we advise job seekers? How should they adjust their job search strategy?

How do we enhance our employer development efforts to maximize their effectiveness?

Job seekers

Job Seekers must evaluate the:What?Where?When?How ?

•Positions that you are slightly over-qualified or slightly under-qualified for•Temporary or internship positions•Volunteer opportunities•Jobs in industries that interest you, but may not be the position were specifically trained for

(Foot in Door strategy)

A

What job will I do?

•Consider relocation when possible•Flexible commute expectations•Think outside the box related to the types of organizations at which you will apply for work.

For example, applying at a construction company for an accounting position.

Where will I do it?

•Flexibility with start dates •Flexibility with shifts •Seasonal work

When will I work?

•Consider both hourly and salaried positions•Take geographic location into account when analyzing pay rates•Consider complete benefits package, not just wages•Consider entry positions with less pay in order to gain valuable experience

How much $$ will I make?

•Limiting job search to one location or one field/industry•Uploading resumes to national job search sites•Relying on job postings in local newspapers and on-line resources exclusively

What’s not working

•CUSTOMIZED resumes and cover letters targeted to specific organizations.•GPA•Experience/Demonstrated work ethic•Demonstrated leadership/community involvement•Positive demeanor•Intuitive Interviewing skills

•NETWORKING

More important now than ever

EmployersIn developing employment opportunities we

must evaluate the:

•Who

•What

•When

•Federal Disability Hiring authorities•Deaf Service Agencies•VRS/Telecommunication Organizations•HR- Workforce Development Execs•EEO/Diversity •Department managers/supervisors•Alumni•Co-op students/interns

Who

•Employer orientations•Training - “Working Together” Workshop•On-going resource of information

NCE Website•Access – NTID Job Fair, Resume packages, On campus recruiting•Confidence and Motivation –

“You Decide” Video

What

•Get Involved:Company Disability Awareness

initiativesILG/Chamber of Commerce

sessionsLunch and Learn programs

•Any time - Never too early or late•Takes time….. Sometimes a LONG time to develop some employers

When

•

Employer Development: What’s not working?

Targeting HR offices exclusively

Mailing resume packages to organizations and hoping they contact one of your job seekers for an interview

Posting company job announcements on-line and advertising to job seekers

In Summary…

Evaluate what “is” and “isn’t” working for your job seekers in today’s economy

Develop strategies in line with what you find

Don’t waste efforts with what is no longer effective. Using the same approach again and again will yield the same results

Be persistent and patient, it will pay off!

Most Effective Employment Development Strategy for working

with both Job Seekers and Employers:

BE A PARTNER!

Thank you.