Helen Keller, Nick Vujicic, Frida Kahlo, and Stephen Hawking are among the world’s best in their own fields, gaining them countless praises. They’ve changed the world and inspired many people despite their disabilities. If they can do it, so can you! Pave your way to your aspired job with our tips on how to mention disability in resume.
Disability in the Workplace
Many firms face lawsuit cases due to employee discrimination. While there can be many types of unjust treatment within a workplace, one of the most common reasons of it is one’s physical or mental impairment. With that, the government released Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990 to protect these job searchers or staff from unfair treatment due to their disabilities.
Companies can’t achieve their goals without realizing the value of their employees. Hence, it’s best to provide equal chances for all, despite their physical disability. ADA states, “Employers must provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants or employees.” This includes fair job search assessment during the entire hiring process. Further, employers must do simple modifications in the workplace to enable inclusion among the staff and job seekers with disabilities.
On a brighter side, it seems that more firms are welcoming to this kind of employee opportunities. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says the employment to population ratio for persons with a disability was 19.3 percent in 2019. A little increase can be seen in this rate as compared to 19.1 percent in 2018. While this growth rate may be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, April nTIDE Jobs Report reveals that the vast majority of unemployed PWD today were “on temporary layoff” and can be recalled once the virus spread subsides. Thus, landing a job while having physical impairments isn’t impossible. All you have to do is to present it nicely in your cover letter or resume.
How to Mention Disability in Resume
Resume Prime experts suggest that you don’t need to mention your disability on your resume. A resume for job seekers with disability can resemble anyone’s resume. If your condition has no effect on your ability to do the tasks required for the job, then don’t discuss it there. Writing about your impairment in your resume might only distract your hiring manager’s attention away from your skills. Hence, you must focus on your strengths rather than your debility.
Yet, if you wish to disclose your disability, you may do so in your cover letter. Likewise, use proper phrasing and delivery when writing your letter. Your hiring manager will, without a doubt, go into it during the interview so prepare yourself and keep your eyes forward when answering their queries. Through this, you will be able to discuss more about your winning feats despite your physical state.
Resume Writing Tips for Job Searchers with Disability
Check out these tips to help you start your job hunt.
Download How to Mention Disability in Resume infographic here.
Talk about your skills
Like other job seekers, it’s best to write about the experiences you have had throughout your career. Talk about how you applied your skills to solve problems in your past job roles. This way, you’ll be able to promote your strengths without saying your debility.
Explain employment gaps
Gap years will most likely draw hiring manager’s eyes. But you can still downplay it by adding volunteer works or other projects you handled during those times. However, if you used that time for treatment or recovery, you don’t need to explain it into your resume but prepare your answers during job calls.
Exude confidence
If your state wouldn’t affect your aspired job role, then you need not to worry. Write your job search tool with confidence and apply for job posts without hesitations. Build your skills to gather more winning feats. Keep in mind that you can land your target job like everybody else.
If you need extra help on how to mention disability in resume, we have resume writing services and experts to answer your questions. You can also check our job search tips to help you prepare and win more job calls. Reach us through live chat or contact us to send us a quick email. We look forward to your messages.
