Seeking Jobs: A Parent's Guide to Getting Jobs for Youth with Disabilities is designed for parents who have students with disabilities who are soon to enter the workforce. NETWORKING in the community to find jobs and conducting a GAP ANALYSIS with employers are covered in this workshop. The slides from this training are available. By Joe Chiappetta

1. 1
SEEKING
JOBS
A PARENT'S Guide to Getting
Jobs for Youth with Disabilities
NETWORKING and GAP ANALYSIS
Joe Chiappetta

2. 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 resume
2

3. 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 network
3

4. WOULD-BE MOVIE DIRECTOR'S
SMASH HIT AT LIBRARY
4
4

5. 5
THE LIBRARY HIRED THAT FELLOW,
AND ONE DECADE LATER, HIS
SUPERVISOR SAID...
5

6. 6
QUIZ: What to Say When Networking
Which 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?

7. 7
Your Network PEOPLE
40% of job search = Networking
(Source: Monster.com 2011 presentation)
• Friends
• Relatives
• Coworkers
• Teachers
• Classmates
• Leaders
• Friends of Friends
• Acquaintances

8. 8
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 month
3. Start with the business-minded

9. 9
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

10. 10
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

11. 11
Your Network
GROUPS
• Clubs
• Schools
• Career office
• Alumni association
• Sports teams
• Interest groups
• Ethnic associations

12. 12
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

13. 13
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

14. 14
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

15. 15
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

16. 16
LinkedIn Profile Example
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17. Job Accommodation Network
JAN
• Searchable Accommodations
Database
• Chat Feature: click "Live Help"
• www.askjan.org
• 800-526-7234
17

18. 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 appropriate
18

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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?
21

22. 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)
22

23. 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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24. 24
Review
1. How to Network
2. LinkedIn
3. Accommodation Assistance
4. Gap Analysis

25. 25
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/