What should you include? Resume Tips for People with Disabilities

Resumes can be a tough task. A well-crafted resume gives you the opportunity to flex your skills and show off your accomplishments, but given the difficulty that many job seekers have in talking about themselves and showing off their strengths, creating a strong resume can be a challenge. You may be thinking to yourself, how will I stand out from the other applicants? Or, how can I show that I am a good fit for the job?

Some people think that having a disability will prevent them from being hired for jobs. Actually, being disabled might give you an advantage over other jobseekers. If you have a physical, emotional or developmental disability, a resume is the most important tool in finding successful employment. Here are some tips that should help you put together the best resume possible if you have a disability and help you get ready to interview.

As a job seeker with a disability, your resume may be different from the standard resume format most people use. The goal of your resume is to highlight pertinent information powerfully and efficiently. Your disability does not define you, but it should not be ignored. How you address your disability on your resume is up to you, but turning your perceived weaknesses into strengths will impress employers.

There are many ways to structure a resume for candidate with disability.

Make sure that the theme and style of your resume matches the type of position you are applying for. Highlight marketable skills and experience. Each application should be tailored to the specific job you are applying for. Ask yourself “why is this position important?” That will help you determine which relevant skills and experience you want to focus on in your application. Showcase skills and experience in a way that makes what you bring to an organization standout as unique or different – don’t just repeat what is already on your resume.

Often it feels like the hiring manager is reading hundreds of applications, so the key is to make yours stand out. Create a theme for your resume and application that speaks to your skills and experience in a way that is attractive to the position you are applying for. Explain what makes you want this job and explain why you would be great at it – explain how your goals align with the company’s.

     Do:

• Keep your resume only 2 pages long, not more than that.
• Make use of action words such as Delivered, Achieved, Coordinated.
• Tailor your resume to the specific job advertisement
• Add latest contact information. Do not use an unprofessional email address, include an email with your name.
• Make a section of your soft skills (personality) and your hard skills (technical) separately.
• Always check for corrections before sending.

• Highlight your transferable skills- these are exactly what they sound like: the skills that you use in every job like communication, data analysis, teamwork etc.

   Don’t:

• Use false information.
• Make spelling mistakes
• Provide references unless requested by the recruiter
• Make it too long or detailed like a CV

 

Questions you may have-

Should I disclose my disability on my resume?

People with disabilities have a history of excelling in the workplace. Think of the role carefully. Unless it's directly relevant to the position, leave it off of your resume. However, if the job requires you do so or you believe that some form of accommodation would be useful to perform the task, then yes put it on along with a brief explanation as to what accommodations were needed or used.

Does my disability reduce the chances of my selection?

Hiring is about assessing people, and it's all about the impression you make on the interviewer. Everything else is secondary. A strong resume can help you with screening and study after your resume has been reviewed and screened, you are called for an interview. During the interview, your personality, poise and attitude will be crucial. If you have a physical disability, that’s part of who you are as an applicant, so it isn’t something to hide or ignore. Instead, your resume can demonstrate ways in which your particular abilities and skills address the needs of the employer.

What is the difference between a resume and a CV?

Resume is a short and crisp document having important information about you. Can be used by freshers and all other times when the recruiter does not ask for a CV specifically.
Whereas, Curriculum vitae are generally longer than resumes and hold more Information. Typically, they consist of a number of subheadings relating to duty/responsibility, year, institution/organization, location, achievement/qualifications. Each factor is usually explained in three to five lines.‍ An employer may ask for a CV in the case of some academic professions, in fields like medicine and research, for example.

 

We hope this answers all your questions. Students with disabilities having no work experience can also stand out by showcasing their skills and abilities in a good resume. You may also search for sample resume for person with disabilities online and many of them would be available at a click.