My name is Lana Kanaan and I am an Accessible Employment Advisor with the Coalition for Persons with Disabilities. In my role I secure employment opportunities for the organization’s program participants, by interacting with employers to identify and assess suitable positions, using this information to build functional profiles for each position that will be used to match with the appropriate participant.
At the Coalition for Persons with Disabilities we focus on helping persons with abilities. It may be hard to believe but we do have employers currently seeking employees. We are committed to supporting you as you navigate finding employment during a global Pandemic. With this in mind, I have created a list of 5 tips you can use to help you through the online job searching process.
The first and most important step is to identify what type of career you want. Make sure you have a clear and realistic goal, determine how you plan to reach it and note what qualifies you for that career path.
When applying to a posting, your resume will first be screened by an application tracking system before meeting a recruiter. In order for your application to be selected, study the job description and mirror keywords and phrases in your cover letter and resume.
Do not limit yourself, take advantage of all job search options. This includes reaching out to companies or hiring managers, attending career fairs and searching social media.
Research the hiring company before applying to a job listing. This will provide you with information about the company culture, benefits and salary range, products, work environment and more. It also gives you valuable information you can reference in your cover letter or interview.
Informational interviews are informal conversations with professionals in an industry or a company you might want to work for. Find out whether you’re a good fit for the job or industry by requesting informational interviews with someone working in the company that interests you.
COVID-19 has changed a lot of how businesses find and hire talent. If you’re looking for additional tips and resources, take our free course on Online Job Search. You can also book a guided session with me, and browse our other free courses.
Online Job search workshop helps individuals who are currently searching for employment by understanding how to navigate different job boards and search engines. The workshop walks individuals through the process of online applications, networking, cold calls and even spam calls and how to report them.
Vocational Rehabilitation Program for Canada Pension Plan disability benefits recipients
Ontario Public Service accessibility commitments
Articles about remote work/employing people with disabilities remotely
Author: Lana.kanaan@disabilityaccess.org
Lana is a driven project specialist with experience exceeding eight years in the field. She has a proven ability to develop and implement comprehensive strategic, contingency, and event plans to streamline processes and enhance operational preparedness. Fluent in English and Arabic.
