Adrienne Kleinman's Blog (152)

This October marks National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). Since 1988, this month has been recognized by the United States Congress as a means to raise awareness of the contributions and employment needs of disabled individuals. As a division of the U.S. Department of Labor, the Office of Disability Employment…

Networking can look a little different to every jobseeker. Depending on what industry you’re trying to get established in, your approach may be really hands-on, or more through word of mouth as in the phone, email, or what have you. The topic I’d like to discuss today is another approach to networking called focused networking. 

Focused networking is having a heightened sense and awareness of who you want to associate and connect with as you…

Networking can look a little different to every jobseeker. Depending on what industry you’re trying to get established in, your approach may be really hands-on, or more through word of mouth as in the phone, email, or what have you. The topic I’d like to discuss today is another approach to networking called focused networking. 

Focused networking is having a heightened sense and awareness of who you want to associate and connect with as you…

This upcoming September 23rd marks the International Day of Sign Language as recognized by the United Nations. This day is important as it supports the continued protection of the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of deaf…

Effective listening is a concept that is integral to receiving gainful employment. Being an attentive listener may seem pretty straight forward, but when it comes to listening in an employment environment, it’s imperative that you’re exceptionally attune to everything that is being communicated. An interviewer will be conveying a lot of information to the interviewee and it is in their best interest to be the best listener that they can…

Last month not only did we celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), but we celebrated Disability Pride Month as well. Having lived with a disability my whole life, it has been only this past year that I’ve really come into my own with feeling open and proud of my disability. Since the history…

Just like clothing, music, and pop culture (to name a few), different industries will undergo trends. These can be anywhere from rebranding a key function of a piece of machinery — let’s say a laptop! — to utilize less material and make it sleeker, to a new style of women’s shirt that was inspired by either a popular celebrity or a figure in pop culture. Trends are varied and are always changing. If you find yourself searching for a new position of employment…

This summer marks a very huge milestone for the disability community. On July 26, 1990 it will have been 30 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. This very essential and important civil rights law “prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs,…

I know you’re not supposed to make assumptions about the way people conduct their lives, but I’m gonna guess that most folks when they wake up each day put on clothes. Some wear clothing for fashion, style, comfort, practicality, or to send a particular message. Wherever you fall on the scale of preferences on what to wear, there’s one certainty: when it comes to your employment, there’s most certainly some sort of a dress code. A potential employer will gain…

The world has been in turmoil for a while now, and was brought even more to the brink last week after the tragic death of George Floyd, a black man who died at the hands of a police officer in my hometown of Minneapolis. This tragedy sparked an outrage across the city, state, nation, and world, the masses crying…

Before you get to the point of performing, presenting, or staging something, you’ll want to rehearse beforehand. The same applies to an interview with a potential employer. If you read on below, there are several ways that you can get yourself prepared for the real deal! 

The old saying “practice makes perfect” comes from a place of truth. The more that you work at something the greater chance of success that you’ll have. When it comes to your…

While the coronavirus pandemic continues to cause stress and sadness the world over, I thought it would be appropriate to provide some helpful information for members to use as a resource during these trying times. This month I am featuring resources from the American Civil…

One of the most crucial aspects of the job search is doing your research, especially before an interview with a potential future employer. It not only gives you an edge over other candidates if you have an extensive amount of knowledge because you will appear dedicated and invested, but it will allow the conversation during the interview to have an added layer of depth.

When I was actively searching for employment post college I would make it a…

In these uncertain times we are currently facing, there’s one thing for certain: no one is exempt from the effects of the coronavirus. Whether you’ve lost your job due to layoffs, are stuck in your home, separated from your dearest loved ones, fear for your health and sanity, or are experiencing symptoms of sickness, it’s quite clear that these days past, present, and to come will be riddled with added stress. We’ve had to adapt as a globe, as a human race, on…

This is a very basic lesson taught to the majority of folks when they’re growing up: don’t talk badly about others; if you have nothing good to say, say nothing at all; treat others how you wish to be treated, etc. And the list goes on! Not only is it recommended to generally speak pleasantly about others in life, but the same applies to on the job, and most importantly, during the interview. 

As you’ve all heard before, the interview is often…

As we begin the month of March, it’s an important time to remember that it’s Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month! Every March the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) partners with the Association for University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) and the National Disabilities Rights Network (NDRN) to create a campaign for social media that aims to showcase the myriad of ways that those with and without disabilities unite to…

There are different ways that humans connect. It can happen with words and conversations, through touch and affirming handshakes, through hearing and verbal cues. Another really important way that individuals connect is through eye contact. The old adage goes that the eyes are the windows to the soul. As cheesy and cliche as that may sound, there’s truth to it which I’ll discuss below.

When you agree to an interview with a potential employer,…

Last month I addressed traveling for work if you have a disability, and this month I’ll continue the trend with air travel. A little over a week ago I returned from Los Angeles so air travel is still pretty heavy on my mind. In a perfect world, traveling with a disability (in my case, a physical one) would be flawless and smooth and require very little worry. But anyone in my position knows this is hardly ever the case. From seat accommodations to medical…

Honesty is highly valued in many aspects of human life: relationships, friendships, partnerships, and employment, to name a few. In order to have work, a person usually has to go through an interview prior to starting their job. As most know, there are a series of questions that the interviewer asks you during the screening and hiring process. It may be tempting to stretch or embellish the truth on your strengths or knowledge on any given topic in order to…

If you’re someone with wanderlust or the traveling bug, chances are it would be a major perk to have a job that requires you to travel. However, if you’re an individual with a disability, traveling for work can be a very difficult or complex task. That isn’t to say that it shouldn’t be an option for that particular employee, but that there will need to be a lot more discussion for how to make it possible.

Workplaces are required to provide…