Topic 6: How Can People with ASD Find These Opportunities?

There are a number of ways to find employment opportunities available in your community. It is helpful to look at employment resources directly related to autism, which can be found later on in this Topic. However, it is also important to look at specific job sites and explore other options related to networking.

Job Sites

Whichever job site you choose, be sure it does not discriminate between postings (Carley, 2016). For example, it should not filter specific listings and show only listings they choose. Consider using www.monster.com, www.jobsite.co.uk, or www.idealist.org (Carley, 2016). If seeking a higher education job, try www.higheredjobs.com or http://philanthropy.com/jobs for non-profit organizations (Carley, 2016). These are only a few sites for job searching, but there are many more that could possibly be listed. It is essential to explore a variety of sites, as there may not be the same postings on each. In retrospect, not all employers post listings on job sites, thus this is not the only way one can search for a job.

Recruiters/ Networking

In some areas there are recruiters who look for qualified and gifted employees to hire. Connecting with a recruiter for an interview could not only increase your opportunities for employment, but also help you network (Carley, 2016). While putting your information on job sites can also increase opportunities, meeting people face to face allows for a personal connection. The more people you meet, the greater the chance is of finding a job you prefer (Carley, 2016).

Other networking opportunities include reaching out to family and friends, creating business contacts, maintaining references, and branching out on social media (Carley, 2016). Maintaining close relationships to family and friends is arguably the most important group to rely on during the employment search because they may not only provide potential connections, but also give support and guidance (Carley, 2016). Finding employment when you are on the autism spectrum is not stress free, and this support will be needed. References are always a good idea to have readily available in case a potential employer would like them. References may also help you gain business contacts and get the word out that you are looking for employment. You may include both professional and personal references, but professional references may be more beneficial in the hiring process. Professional references include past supervisors, colleagues, or people you know in that industry. Personal references can be a longtime friend, mentor, family member, teacher, or pastor. Lastly, social media can be beneficial in job searching, as it reaches vast amounts of employers and contacts.

One of the most powerful social media tool for job searching is LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a professional network linking potential employees to potential employers. There are over 546 users and 200 countries/territories throughout the nation using this resource (LinkedIn, 2018). Their vision is to "Create economic opportunity for every member of the global workforce through the ongoing development of the world's first Economic Graph" (LinkedIn, 2018). Autism Speaks established two networking groups on LinkedIn, connecting people with autism to support groups related to finding employment opportunities (Autism Speaks, 2018). These include the Autism Employment Network and the Housing & Residential Supports Network. Also see the Autism Speaks Employment Toolkit for more information.

Job Seeking Tools related to Autism

There are also tools related directly to job searching for people with disabilities, including autism. The Ticket to Work program, provided by the Social Security System, allows people with disabilities opportunities to find employment through providers in Employment Networks. They provide direct assistance and counseling in order to find employment for users. They explain that this program "is a good fit for people who want to improve their earning potential and are committed to preparing for long-term success in the workplace" (Social Security Administration, 2018). Another site directly related to people on the autism spectrum and employment opportunities is the Spectrum Careers employment tool provided by Autism Speaks. This tool not only allows users to build their resume in various formats, but also seek jobs that will support specific skills and qualifications.

View the following video by Spectrum Careers (2 min) before answering the question below.