Selling ourselves doesn't have one easy answer. The culture of where we are applying for work can play a huge role on how we are accepted or not. We all got to where we are by taking a variety of paths and no two journeys are the same. Being on both sides of the interview table has not provided me with the magic pill. What little I have learned is it is important to go to as many interviews as possible. This helps understand the process and makes it easier to learn what people want when asking questions. When preparing a resume the size isn't as important as career councillors want us to believe. If you are preparing a generic résumé then by all means make it short and use a clear font like Ariel or Verdana with a size of 14 points. You want it to be easy to read. now when applying for something specific look at the job poster. Line up your resume so that when held side by side the items they want match the order in your résumé. If the organization is large there will be someone or some department screening applications before they even get to the people conducting the interviews. If the items line up that makes it easier and reduces the chance of one of your qualifications being missed. This part makes a lot of people uncomfortable. We live in a sighted world. It is not right or wrong; it just is...Personal appearance plays a significant part in the selection process. One hiring panel I was on made this quite evident and you will rarely, if ever, see it in writing. A person showed up to the interview wearing a baggy sixties style jogging outfit. Basically sweat pants and the same coloured sweat shirt. This person could have said the most profound things during that interview, however the people with me on the panel didn't hear anything this person said. When we were evaluating the applicants all they could remember was the fact that this person showed up unkempt, didn't respond in a friendly manner when arriving at reception and couldn't be bothered to dress a little nicer for the interview. They were not interested in the person's economic situation or personal preference to dress comfortably in something that could also be used as pyjamas. The reverse is also true. It may not be the right choice to wear a formal outfit if the organization is urban casual. Body language is another factor that we must consider. I volunteer with a group of people who have either recently lost their vision or who need opportunities to continue to develop their social awareness. Sighted people don't like it when they speak to us and we don't look in their general direction. many of us cannot make eye contact of course, however it is important to resist the tendency to look up at the ceiling or down at the floor. It is also important to practice sitting up straight and standing up straight. This is a challenge, because there is a difference between standing up straight with good posture and standing at attention. We are working with someone who stands up too straight. it doesn't appear natural. Cover letters can also help outline our abilities. for me I travel as independently as possible. I've had jobs and held positions where travel was required. I let employers know I use public transit and get around on my own in cities across Canada, United States and Europe. Many professions are used to people building a portfolio. Artists do this, teachers, musicians etc. I don't see anything wrong with other professions like IMIT doing this as well. Another good way to get in the door is to select a college or university that has a co-op program. Having an opportunity to have the post secondary institution find you a placement for two months or for a term during your schooling works very well. This gives employers the chance to see what you can do with little risk to themselves. Vic -----Original Message----- From: Blind-sysadmins [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of Katherine Moss Sent: Friday, November 01, 2013 1:48 PM To: blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org Subject: [Blind-sysadmins] FW: How to sell yourself to employers as a blind, but capable technologist -----Original Message----- From: Katherine Moss Sent: Friday, November 01, 2013 2:47 PM Subject: How to sell yourself to employers as a blind, but capable technologist Hello all, My name is Katherine Moss, and let me tell you. Boy do I wish I had discovered this list years ago. I have been a technologist/administrator for the past ten years dabbling in everything from Windows to most recently Linux. I'm wondering what you guys have done to sell yourself to employers during interviews to get hired at your fulfilling jobs. I desire greatly to become a paid systems administrator and not just have technology as a hobby. I have a degree in English, though I'm planning on getting a certificate in network technologies and administration at Bunker Hill Community College (I am from Massachusetts). As of right now, regardless of the fact that I do have experience, employers are getting tripped up by my lack of official vender certifications, as well as my blindness. I will admit that I'm very open about my blindness, using it as a jumping off point to launch accessibility awareness campaigns rather than brooding over it. I'm wondering if my openness during the first interview at a job could be hurting me? I ask this because qualifications can't be the problem since I'm a member of a couple of user groups here in New England, and not many of us have computer science degrees at all. What has been your take on this? Thanks. _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org http://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins