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SEEKING JOBS

A PARENT'S Guide to Getting Jobs for Youth with Disabilities

NETWORKING and GAP ANALYSIS

Joe Chiappetta

Get Jobs through People

You Know

Take a personal inventory.Joe Chiappetta in past 30 years:

Worked at 13 jobs

• 11 jobs through people I knew

• 1 job through online application

• 1 job through resume2

41% of Job Seekers Got Job from NETWORKING

Source: Right Management 2010 survey of 59,000 clients

• How big is your network?

• It's not who you know...It's who knows YOU.

• Identify your network

• Contact network

• Follow up with network3

WOULD-BE MOVIE DIRECTOR'S SMASH HIT AT LIBRARY

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THE LIBRARY HIRED THAT FELLOW, AND ONE DECADE LATER, HIS SUPERVISOR SAID...

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QUIZ: What to Say When NetworkingWhich statements are appropriate?1. I have no idea what my child with a disability

is going to do with their life. Oh please help!

2. Do you know anyone looking to fill an open position?

3. Know anyone who works in [manufacturing]?

4. Can you set up an introduction for me?

5. Do you know any hiring managers? Or business owners, executives, government officials, community leaders, or other persons of influence?

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Your Network PEOPLE40% of job search = Networking

(Source: Monster.com 2011 presentation)

• Friends• Relatives• Coworkers• Teachers• Classmates• Leaders• Friends of Friends• Acquaintances

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ACTIVITY:

List of

Network

PEOPLE

1. Write name of a person who knows you from each category:

• Friends• Relatives• Coworkers• Teachers• Classmates• Leaders• Friends of Friends• Acquaintances

2. Contact each person this month3. Start with the business-minded

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Your Network PLACES• Near home• Near school• Off the train or bus line

nearest you• On the bus or train• Where you're a customer• Where people in your

network are customers• Near your work• Near your religious

organization

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ACTIVITY: List of Network PLACES

1. From the list of network places, write the names of at least 4 specific places you will go to this month to network

2. Show the list to a friend who can help you identify more places

3. Do this each month

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Your Network GROUPS

• Clubs

• Schools

• Career office

• Alumni association

• Sports teams

• Interest groups

• Ethnic associations

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ACTIVITY: List of Network GROUPS

1. From the list of network groups, identify 2 groups of interest

2. Make yourself an appointment in your planner to check their website this week to find out what activities they have planned (or call them)

3. Attend as appropriate

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Your Network EVENTS

• Job Fairs

• Chamber of Commerce

• Community-Based Agencies

• Company Public Outreach events

• Industry Associations

• School Lectures open to public

• Trade Shows, Conventions

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ACTIVITY: List of Network EVENTS

1. From the list of network event categories, identify 3 that you will investigate further

2. Make yourself an appointment in your planner to check their website this month to find out what free events they have planned

3. Attend as appropriate

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LinkedIn.com

Social resume/career news site

• Set up LinkedIn profile like interactive resume

• Keep it VERY Professional

• Customize your profile address

• Slowly build up your contacts

• Leverage relationships

• Beware of information overload

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LinkedIn Profile Example

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Job Accommodation NetworkJAN

• Searchable Accommodations Database

• Chat Feature: click "Live Help"• www.askjan.org • 800-526-7234

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GET CLOSER TO BUSINESS

1.Networking events

2.Take a tour

3.Conduct staff training

4. Informational interview

5.Provide info about hiring people with disabilities

6.Become a customer if appropriate18

Explain PURPOSE of the Gap Analysis

• INTRO: I'm from a network of parents who help students with disabilities prepare for employment.

• PURPOSE: I'm looking for a deeper understanding of business operations in our community.

• EXPLAIN: The more I know about your work environment, the better I'll be at recommending students for specific career paths.

• THE ASK: Can I come by to ask you a few questions about your company? 19

WARM-UP Questions(for Gap Analysis)

• What is the work atmosphere and culture like here?

• What kinds of job duties do your workers perform?

• Feel free to include behind-the-scenes details. 20

FORECAST Questions (Gap)• What are areas of

potential growth for your business?

• Where would you like to see your business in five years? Ten years?

• Are there services your business would like to offer, or could offer, that are not in place yet?

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GAP-Seeking Questions (1 of 2)

• When is company busiest: each day, during the week, during the year?

• Are there tasks that could be done more efficiently or more often?

• Are there tasks not getting done because no one has the time?

• Are there tasks that take employees away from their more critical job duties?(areas of expertise or "real" jobs)

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GAP-Seeking Questions (2 of 2)

• Do you have employees working overtime?

• Are there tasks that you use temporary or student employees for?

• If you could have help with anything, what would it be?

• If your employees could have help with anything, what do you think it would be?

• What is the biggest challenge the business faces in day-to-day operations?

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Review

1. How to Network

2. LinkedIn

3. Accommodation Assistance

4. Gap Analysis

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CONTACT

If info from this session helps someone find a job, please let

me know:Joe Chiappetta

Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce

www.ChicagolandChamber.org

http://www.linkedin.com/in/chiappetta/