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May 27, 2009
Gaining Leverage as a Job Seeker
On the eSight Networking Forum last week, Jeff Smith posted these three tips for making meetings accessible.
He writes:
"It needs to be remembered that those with low vision take more time to read something. Graphics can be particularly hard to grasp, primarily because labeling tends to use small print or of low contrast.
"I've noticed, too, that people rush through materials, particularly PowerPoint, assuming those in the audience can easily absorb the information.
"It's also currently fashionable to use colored text, which can create problems for the vision-impaired.
"It is always best to use black or near-black text on a white or off-white background."Jeff 's tips are particularly relevant in today's economy as baby boomers, who are finding it financially prudent to work a few more years beyond what once considered retirement age, discover they don't "see as well as they used to."
For more about visit our accessible meeting discussion.
Putting accessibility at the forefront is one of three strategies we discussed this month for job seekers who want to put themselves in a better position to make the most of today's tough market.
"Service," "green" and "accessibility" are key concepts which can give you leverage in a rough job market.
For a quick summary of what eSight members said about those three key concepts, go to "May 2009 Discussion Wrap."
Think about how you can include a "service," "green" or "accessibility" in your offering statement and job marketing plan.
For more how to write your" offering statement," see
http://www.esight.org/view.cfm?x=2013
Then, share your thoughts with your fellow eSight members.
What other ways can you gain leverage in a tough job market?
Posted by Liz Seger at 12:56 PM | Comments (0)
May 20, 2009
Strengthen Your Online Presence
The Disability Rights Section, Civil Right Division, U.S. Department of Justice, recently published online guidelines for "Accessible Information Exchange: Meeting on a Level Playing Field."
The article's guidelines cover everything from meeting room setup to content accessibility. It even has suggestions for how to temporarily remove barriers to make a meeting's features more accessible.
I believe this article offers valuable information for both employers and employees.
Right now, I'm asking you, as an eSight member, to think about a recent meeting you have attended.
What made it particularly accessible or inaccessible? What advice can you offer a meeting planner who wants to understand your particular needs?
How will this help you in your job search?
As you craft your submission, remember that Google and other search engines treat your postings to forums and blogs as web sites. Recruiters and hiring managers often check the online presence of job candidates as part of their decision-making process.
So, potential employers, in doing research about you online, will likely see your online submissions and can get a feel for how you think, write and interact with others when they "google"your name.
It's all about personal branding.
By participating in online discussions about things that directly affect you and others with disabilities, you continually extend your online visibility.
As a result, your personal network – both online and offline – evolves, based on your personal interests and expertise. Using your personal experience to identify what works well and what doesn't not only helps you but helps others in an extended community such as we have here at eSight.
So, we'll compile the ideas you and other eSight members submit to the eSight Networking Forum about accessible meetings and publish as well highlight them online as a fact sheet for meeting planners. This is another opportunity to showcase your insight and strengthen your online presence among fellow eSight members and prospective employers.
Be the change you want to see in this world. It'll help others. And, it'll help you.
Posted by Liz Seger at 12:10 PM | Comments (0)
May 11, 2009
Green Job Search Tips
Green is no longer just cool. It's actually hot - especially when it comes to careers.
A "green" job is "self-employment or any job which 'genuinely' contributes to a more sustainable world. Jobs can be in the green sector (such as) solar energy or wind power."
But, another way to look at "green" employment is this: Individuals working in such jobs are committed to and passionate about sustainability and living a greener lifestyle.
You can find jobs which work for sustainability in science and research, environmental studies, engineering, construction, architecture, law, education, public information and advocacy, transportation, health sciences and entrepreneurial activities.
"Green" is all based on how you want your world to be for your children, your grandchildren - and yourselves. It means our survival.
People are buying more locally grown, organic foods, for instance, because we have seen numerous food recalls and we are no longer sure of the origin of the food available through supermarket chains.
As a result, farming is becoming more organic and green, using fewer pesticides. And people are returning to visit local farmers' markets as well their local grocery stores to buy produce when it is in season.
So, now is the time, no matter where you live in the world, to perhaps consider going green in your job or in your job hunt. Maybe now is the time to start your own small business doing something green-related or looking for employers who are willing and committed to making their work place greener.
Keep this in mind: The public - and entire governments - now support "green" employment.
Read about President Obama's "green jobs" vision.
In the U.S., the Green Jobs Act has been developed to support on-the-ground apprenticeship and job training programs to meet the growing demand for green construction professionals skilled in energy efficiency and renewable energy installations.
The Act envisions sound and practical energy investments for three million new jobs by helping companies retool and retrain workers to produce clean energy and energy efficient components or end products that will result in residential and commercial energy savings, industry revenue, and new green jobs throughout the country.
To better serve the workforce system and its efforts to support green jobs and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration has developed a "draft green jobs" framework.
That framework is designed to promote the development of new and existing green jobs and hasten widespread employment in green careers across several industry sectors.
And the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) received funding under President Obama's 2010 budget to produce quarterly tabulations of aggregate employment and wages for "green" businesses.
That means, starting in 2011, BLS will produce information about occupations involved in whole or in part in the "green" economy - and analyze those workforce trends.
How does this apply to those of us with disabilities? We also have the opportunity to create, design and produce assistive devices or new ways for doing things which may indeed save the environment and our planet.
You don't just need a science or engineering degree or research experience. Through their work, people with liberal arts degrees can make their own statement about sustainability. See "Green Jobs Take Root and Proliferate."
For a "green" jobs overview, check out these three resources.
First, the Windstar Foundation has a scholarship for high school and college students taking environmental studies. John Denver, late singer, environmentalist and humanitarian, founded Windstar.
Second, read "Green Jobs," U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration.
And, third, find out about green jobs in your state.
Then, you'll be in a position to think about how to find a "green" job that fits your situation. Consider the 10 tips for doing so.
Which of these tips apply directly to your
situation?
Posted by Liz Seger at 05:20 PM | Comments (0)
May 06, 2009
Public Administration Jobs: James Elekes’ Career Narrative
Jim has nearly 30 years of progressively advancing senior management experience in public transit, human/social services and academia with a focus on all aspects of training, operational administration and regulatory compliance.
He’s principal and founder of Trans-Access Associates, LLC, in South Carolina, which he created in July 2005.
Jim's consultancy focuses on an unmet need he’s identified in the academic, non-profit and public/private sectors: a comprehensive, proactive approach to including persons with disabilities in mainstreamed activities of daily life.
Since its founding, Trans-Access Associates’ contracts have included a major amusement park, two- and four-year colleges and a variety of state entities, all with identified shortcomings in their practices and policies for serving persons with disabilities.
You can read Jim’s complete career narrative on eSight.
Note how Jim’s consultancy matches the needs he has identified with the solutions only he can uniquely recommend due to his long career in the public sector. That’s one of the marks of a successful small business.
Would you like to learn more about a career in public administration?
For information about what can you do with a degree in public administration you can explore, the "Guide to College Majors in Public Administration" and career pathways in the government and public administration career cluster.
Where do you find public administration jobs?
Here are five suggestions:
FederalJobs.net contains a wealth of information for a variety of public administration/government jobs at the local, state and Federal level.
USAjobs.gov is the official web site for the U.S. Government. It shows how persons with disabilities can apply for jobs via the traditional Civil Services Competitive process or via Schedule "A" non-competitive process.
GovernmentJobs.com is a site used by a majority of states for their Civil Services positions. You can establish Job Information Cards for each State for which you may have an interest. Once the Information Card is complete, you will automatically be notified of positions as they become available in the categories specified.
PublicServiceCareers.org is a site for job seekers (and employers) at all levels of experience. Whether you are fresh out of college, a ‘veteran’ of the public sector or a Ph.D. in academia, publicservicecareers.org can help you find a new job and sustain a career in government, non-profits/NGOs, international, consulting and education.
Search for public administration jobs by key word and location
Another important note: Now you can search jobs on Indeed.com directly from eSight at http://www.esight.org/search_jobs.cfm
Indeed.com is a search engine for jobs, allowing job seekers to find jobs posted on thousands of company career sites and job boards.
What career path would you like to learn more about?
Posted by Liz Seger at 12:13 PM | Comments (0)