Finding a job can be hard especially if you have never worked before or if you have not worked for a long time. Here are some tips to help you find a job:
Prepare a basic CV:
A CV is like your ‘life story’. It explains your history and helps employers understand who you are. A typical CV will include basic details such as your name, address, education (how many qualifications you have), hobbies/interests and the name of references (people who know you well).
If you are a young Deaf person aged 17 – 25, your Education and Healthcare Plan review should include the support needed to prepare you for work. The support can include support with preparing a CV.
You can watch a BSL clip from RAD about creating a CV.
If you have been unemployed for a long time, you may be able to get help from the Jobcentre. The Jobcentre has a new project called the Work and Health Programme which is designed to help people in to work.
*Top tip: check your CV for spelling mistakes. You can use apps like Grammarly to make sure your spelling is correct.
The Equality Act 2010:
It is important to be aware of your rights under the Equality Act 2010. This law says that employers are not allowed to discriminate against disabled people. The law also says that employers must make ‘reasonable adjustments’ so you are not at a disadvantage. For example, you need a BSL interpreter for an interview. You can ask the employer to delay the interview so you can apply for Access to Work to pay for and book an interpreter. You can also ask your employer to make adjustments in the workplace.
Finding Deaf-friendly employers:
*Top tip: Find companies with the Disability Confident logo:
The Disability Confident initiative by DWP is intended to help identify organisations that support the employment of individuals with disabilities. Companies who show this logo agree to follow certain principles and agree to give disabled jobseekers an interview (providing the minimum employment criteria is met).
There are lots of websites to find jobs. Here are three websites that advertise Deaf-friendly jobs:
DWP Find a job You can search for ‘disability-confident’ employers on this website.
Access to Work
If you need support (e.g. communication support), you can apply for Access to Work. Access to Work (ATW) is a grant from DWP to cover the costs of support at an interview and while you are at work. You can click the links below to read more information about the grant:
Deaf ATW provides information on how to complain about an Access to Work decision.
You can also check out our YouTube playlist with BSL videos about Access to Work.
Other sources of support:
Barclays Life Skills is a useful website for tips and guidance on how to improve your employability skills.