Guides: Employment: Prepare for Employment

Updated October 3, 2023
If ever there was a time for disabled workers to jump into the workforce, it's now. Our nation's experience with Covid has created more flexibility and work from home opportunities than ever before. If you're hoping to enter the workforce for the first time in a while, or ever, check out our guide and learn how to navigate this exciting journey.

Let's get started with a few things to consider:

  • Are You Ready to Work?
  • Consider what You Do Best in Choosing a Job or Job Path
  • Learn How Working will Affect Your Disability Benefits
  • Use Your "Ticket to Work"
  • Check Out Social Security Work Incentives
  • Investigate Your State Medicaid Buy-in Program
  • Contact Your Local Vocational Rehabilitation Office
  • Improve Your Computer Skills
  • Improve Your Soft Skills
  • Gain Experience Through Volunteer Work
  • Create/Update Your Resume
  • Prepare for the Interview
  • Disclosing Disability

    Are You Ready to Work?

    Before setting out on your employment journey it is important to assess your readiness to work. In particular, you will want to consider whether or not you are prepared for the demands of the type of job you desire? Doing so will ensure a successful transition into the working world. To begin, ask yourself the following questions. Be honest with yourself. Put in the work you need to ensure success before applying for jobs.

    • Are you ready/able to commit to a set schedule and routine everyday?
    • Are you prepared to balance the demands of work with the demands of life (Family committments, Dr. appointments, etc.)
    • Do you have reliable transportation to and from work? Or,
    • Do you have a home office with the technology required to work from home.
    • Do you have the education/experience needed for the job you desire?
    • Do you have the specific skills the job requires? (Computer-related, critical thinking, organizational, etc.)
    • Do you understand how working will impact your benefits?

    If you are unsure about any of the above, it is important to seek help from a qualified employment counselor. These couselors will help you properly prepare for the demands of work by connecting you with the education, training, and knowledge you need to start your career with confidence. Please read on for more detailed employment-related resources.

    Consider what You Do Best in Choosing a Job or Job Path

    A panel of disabled workers spoke about their experiences while looking for work and after obtaining work. Here's what they had to say (there appears to be a common theme):

    • "When looking for a job, be honest with yourself about what you are good at doing. Everyone has things they are not good at, and things they are great at in life."

    • "No one should consider their disability a barrier or obstacle to employment. Be honest with yourself as to what your strengths are, and what you can and cannot do."

    • "Know what you are good at and what jobs you are looking to obtain. It will allow you to find the correct job fit. Most people do not get to work at their dream jobs, but a job that encompasses some of the things you love will make the job more enjoyable."

    • "Let other people give advice, but make your own decisions, and remember to be honest and realistic with yourself, you will be happier in the long run. Just remember, you are the one who knows yourself the best, and you are the one who should make the decisions as to what is best for you in life and on the job."

    • Work hard to obtain your goals.

    Finding a job that you love takes time. Once you find a particular area or industry that clicks, take the time to understand what you need to succeed in a role within that particular career.

    Create a checklist for yourself and set a timeline to go after any education or specialzed training, etc. that you may need.

    Network with others in a similar role and ask their advice. LinkedIn is a great online platform for engaging with other professionals.

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    Learn How Work Will Affect Your Disability Benefits

    To find out specifically how going to work could affect your disability benefits, you should contact your local Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Project. You can call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. ET

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    Use Your "Ticket to Work”

    If you are receiving disability benefits from the Social Security Administration, you are very likely eligible for their Ticket to Work Program. Your ticket can be used to obtain FREE employment services such as skills training, resume development, and job placement via an approved Employment Network or your local Vocational Rehabilitation Office. Chances are you have already received a Ticket without even realizing it.

    To learn more, check out the SSA Ticket to Work or call 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. ET.

    Check Out Social Security Work Incentives

    One of the biggest fears people with disabilities face in pursuing employment is the perceived risk of losing thier benefits in the event employment does not work out afterall. This is an unfounded fear in many cases.

    Special rules make it possible for people receiving Social Security disability benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to work and still receive monthly payments. And, in many cases, if you cannot continue working because of your medical condition, your benefits can immediately start again.

    Following are a few employment incentive programs offered by the Social Security Administration:

    • A Trial Work Period (TWP) - SSDI beneficiaries can test their ability to work without fear of losing their benefits. SSA does not consider services performed during the trial work period as showing that the disability has ended until services have been performed in at least 9 months (not necessarily consecutive) in a rolling 60-month period. In 2023, any month in which earnings exceed $1050 is considered a month of services for an individual's trial work period.

    • Expedited Reinstatement of Benefits (EXR) - If your benefits ended because you worked and had earnings, you can request that your benefits start again without having to complete a new application. You will receive provisional (temporary) benefits for up to 6 months while they determine permanent reinstatement of your benefits. This request must be made within 5 years of the date your benefits ended due to gainful employment.

    • Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) - Individuals can set aside money and/or things he or she owns to pay for items or services needed to achieve a specific work goal. PASS could help you save for such things as a computer, college tuition and supplies and more. These savings are not counted as assets and therefore will not disqualify you from receiving benefits.

    The rules are different under SSDI and SSI. To learn more about the various work incentives available, read Social Security’s publication Working While Disabled – How We Can Help.

    For a more in depth look, check out Social Security’s Red Book – A Guide to Work Incentives.

    Investigate Your State Medicaid Buy-in Program

    Medicaid covers the cost of essential personal care services (such as in home attendtant care) that enable individuals to continue to live in the community and obtain gainful employment. While you may think working will eliminate your eligibility for Medicaid, this is not always the case.

    Under Section 201 of TWWIIA and Section 4733 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, States have the option to provide Medicaid to working people with disabilities whose earnings are too high for them to qualify for Medicaid under existing rules.

    At this time, 46 states extend this option. Contact your local Medicaid office to learn more about your state's program.

    Contact Your Local Vocational Rehabilitation Office

    Every state offers Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services to individuals with disabilities. Services will vary from one office to the next, but in general will include job preparation, skills assessment/development and local job searches and placement. Such services are free to approved VR participants. Many state VR agencies will also cover the costs of schooling and training. A quick Google search will connect you to your local VR office.

    Improve Your Computer Skills

    Many jobs now require the use of a computer. Beyond the obvious benefits, learning how to use a computer can help you improve your critical thinking skills, which will prove useful in both your personal and professional life.

    Check out your local library or technical college for low cost, if not free computer training.

    If you have regular access to a computer (either at home or via your local library) you can receive free, self-paced training via GCF Global. Topics include everything from computer, internet and e-mail basics to career planning, resume development and more.

    Improve Your Soft Skills

    So what exactly are Soft Skills? Unlike Hard Skills, such as knowledge of industry specific tasks or computer software, soft skills are those skills that speak to the character of an individual. They are an indication of your capacity to behave appropriately in a professional environment.

    While hard skills, which are presented on your resume, will land you an interview, it is often the soft skills that could be a deciding factor between two candidates with similar education and backgrounds.

    Soft skills include such skills as communication, focus, teamwork, dependability, creativity, professionalism, problem solving, etc. If you lack these skills, it will be very difficult to keep a good job.

    Here at NHU we have begun to develop a series of brief guides on Soft Skills.

  • The first in the series focuses on Communication.

  • The second in the series focuses on Emotional Intelligence

    • Receive a Computer for Use in Your Home

    If you do not have a computer at home to practice your skills, there are many programs throughout the nation that provide low-cost or free refurbished computers to low-income individuals and families. PCs for People offer low cost home computer and internet solutions for low-income individuals.

    Here at NHU we also offer refurbished computers to eligible low-income disabled individuals. If you live in Wisconsin, contact us for more information and eligibility requirements for our Computer Grant Program.

    Gain Experience Through Volunteer Work

    Volunteer work will show potential employers, that you have continued to use and improve your skills despite your unemployment. Volunteering will also help you test your ability to work.

    Many non-profit organizations and churches are in need of reliable volunteers to fulfill their missions. Volunteer work can range from mail preparation or event coordination to mentoring or tutoring. Some positions will require several days per week, while others may require just a few hours. To ensure that your volunteer experience will be of benefit, look for a long-term position that offers at least one day’s worth of work per week.

    To ensure that you gain a valuable reference, you must treat your volunteer job just as you would a paid job. Show up on your scheduled days, act and dress professionally, take care to do the job accurately and thoroughly.

    Find volunteer opportunities by visiting Volunteer Match or by contacting your local volunteer center.

    Create/Update Your Resume

    A common issue for many individuals with disbilities is a lack of or a significant gap in employment history. Despite one's lack of employment history it is still possible to develop a winning resume.

    If you have a significant gap in your employment history, or no employment history at all, you will need to develop a functional resume. The functional resume focuses on your skills first and your experience second. You will first focus on the assets that you can bring to the specific job you are seeking. If you do not have much formal work experience, you should list any skills or experience that you have picked up while volunteering or in training. Following are a few specific suggestions:

  • Professional skills (related to the job for which you are applying)
  • Volunteer work experience (church, voting polls, organizations or clubs, other non-profit organizations)
    • Provide specific examples of how you have applied these skills in past employment or volunteer experiences
    • For example, if you volunteered as a receptionist, be sure to highlight your communication / interpersonal skills
    • If you assisted with mailing preparation, highlight your organizational skills
  • Recent classes that you have taken
  • Computer skills

    Always be honest, do not list skills that you really do not have. Remember, you cannot create something out of nothing, it is essential that you gain work experience through volunteer work and that you take classes to improve your employment skills.

    It is recommended that you not specifically mention your disability on the resume or cover letter unless the position directly relates to your experiences as an individual with a disability.

    For more on resume development, visit GCF Global: Resume Writing

    Prepare for the Interview

    The interview is your opportunity to stand out from the crowd and make a great impression. Following are a few tips to help you fully prepare for the big day:

  • Research the company or organization and make sure you fully understand the scope of their work. Also be certain that you fully understand the tasks associated with the job for which you are applying. Interviewers are impressed by candidates that ask intelligent questions concerning the organization and position.

  • Practice answering common questions in the mirror or with a friend. A few common questions include:
    • Why do you want to work here? (This is where your research will come in handy)

    • What are your greatest weaknesses? (Be careful with this one, always focus on what you are doing to improve that weakness)

    • What are your goals? (Focus on your short-term, immediate profesional goals)

    • Why should we hire you? (What can you bring to the position that other candidates might not?)

  • Pick out professional looking attire. Make sure your interview attire is in line with the company's culture. You may not want to invest in a suit if the company encourages business casual attire. Never wear jeans, t-shirts, or street shoes to an interview. Make certain your appearance is neat and clean.

    For more on interview preparation, visit GCF Global: Interviewing Skills.

    Disclosing Your Disability

    Employment lawyers advise that if your disability is not apparent, you should not discuss it until after you have received a job offer. There may, however, be a few instances where you might consider disclosing your disability:

    • You will need an accommodation for the interview.
    • You must explain disability-related gaps in your employment history.
    • You wish to highlight your personal traits (i.e. problem solving, resourcefulness, the ability to adapt and learn quickly, etc.) that arise from navigating an inaccessible world.
    If you do choose to disclose your disability, try to focus on what you can do (with the right accommodations) and try not to draw attention to what you cannot do.

    People with disabilities suggest:

    • "Disclosing the fact you have a disability to an employer is a personal decision as to whether to do it or when to do it."

    • "Disclosure could be your best friend, people usually help if they know you need help to accomplish your job task, and this help allows you to complete the rest of the job on your own."

    • "If a company does not want to help work with you on overcoming a work obstacle, possibly that company is not a true fit."

    "Be honest with your needs, choose wisely and ask for help when needed. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength, and asking for help when needed will take you much farther in your work goals and life."

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