Adrienne Kleinman's Blog (143)

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…

There are several things you should make a point to accomplish during a job interview. Be courteous, hold eye contact, be engaging, and be knowledgeable about the company you’re interviewing with, to name a few. Though the one stand out action that every successful interviewee has in common is that they ask questions of their interviewer. This demonstrates that you’re not only invested in working for this company, but also that you’ve been paying attention and…

December 3rd is an important day for the disabled population of the world. In 1992, the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3 named it the annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons. It’s main aim is to ensure the continued promotion of “the…

Searching for a job allows you to consider various aspects that you’re not willing to negotiate on when it comes to your employment. Often times it’s not apparent until during the interview with your future employer, but keep an open ear and an open mind when discussing a new job. There are several factors that you can inquire about as well to determine if you’re  potential future employer is going to be a good match for you.

A job as a whole has…

On November 16th, 1995, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) Member States adopted a Declaration of Principles on Tolerance. A standout quote from the Principles on Tolerance, “It is respect and appreciation of the rich variety of our world’s cultures, our forms of expression and ways…

In the past, I have talked about how one would go about disclosing a disability to their workplace, as well as talking about discrimination in the workplace. This month I’ll be talking about a similar topic— specifically, discussing one’s disability during the interview.  

When you’re being interviewed by a potential new employer, it’s your chance to make a good impression on them and prove why you’d be a viable candidate to add to their team. In…

Every October 1st, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) kicks off National Disability Employment Awareness Month, or NDEAM. This month is meant to educate the masses about the employment issues that the disabled population faces, as well as to celebrate all of the many and varied contributions of…

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is there to protect those who qualify within its parameters from many different occurrences, including discrimination in the workplace. This means that when it comes to hiring, pay, promotion, firing, etc., an individual cannot be discriminated against by their employer because of their disability. Below I will go over more in depth what it looks like to be an employee that falls under the ADA, and what employers are…

Tragedy, disaster, or an emergency, can strike at any moment, to anyone, anywhere. September is the month that folks nationwide devote to remind themselves, and others, to put a plan into creation for how they would react to a disaster, and how to safely and effectively take action. Though there are rescue personnel who are always ready to help you in the form of police, firefighters, and EMTs, that doesn’t mean that they’ll be available should disaster…

When someone with a disability, or someone who recently acquired one, finds themselves in a position at work where they are struggling to complete their required tasks, requesting an accommodation is the next step. Often times the thought of discussing with your employer how to accommodate your position or workspace can be daunting. They also might worry that what you are requesting will be too expensive for them to fulfill. Luckily, the Job Accommodation…