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The jobs market has never been more volatile than it is in 2020 as COVID-19 upends all facets of our lives.

One upside of this volatility is increased flexibility in the world of work. Remote working is more popular than ever before and the freedom that comes with it means the opportunities out there are uniquely advantageous to disabled people, as working from home can remove many obstacles of accessibility.  

Take Advantage Guaranteed Interview Schemes

Discrimination is a hurdle many disabled people have to overcome to get into work. So the Guaranteed Interview Scheme can be a great way to seek out employers who understand the value that disabled people have to offer their company.

These can be a fantastic resource for disabled people. Keep an eye out for the disability confident symbol on job adverts – this indicates that the employer is committed to employing disabled people within their business and will guarantee you an interview as long as you meet the basic requirements for the role.  

Network

In many ways the old adage, ‘it’s not what you know, it’s who you know’ is accurate. So get yourself out there. While this is harder than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is not impossible.

Take advantage of online resources; make sure your LinkedIn profile is looking great and sign up with a few reputable recruiters in your desired industry.

Prepare Thoroughly For The Interview

The most important part of finding a new job is the interview. It can also be the most daunting. For more advice on how to ace that interview follow these interview tips from Careers With Disabilities, a great resource for disabled jobseekers.

If your interview is going to be a virtual one make sure you download the correct technology and test it out beforehand. Have a friend or relative call you on whichever platform the interviewer is using and check that you can be heard and seen properly.

Be Tenacious 

No one hits the bullseye the first time. The important thing is to not give up. Knockbacks are a natural part of looking for work. It’s best to consider each interview and application as a learning experience even when you don’t get the job. It just means that your next interview will go even better.

COVID-19 means that there are more job seekers for each role than ever before. So if you don’t get the interview or job, know that you are not alone and that it doesn’t mean you aren’t talented and capable.

Consider Volunteering

Volunteering is a fantastic way to bulk up your CV with experience. Though this is undoubtedly harder to achieve during the COVID-19 pandemic, there are still opportunities out there.

There are many voluntary services that you can work from home. For example signing up to provide phone calls for older people struggling with loneliness during the pandemic, cooking for homeless charities, and more that you can do from the comfort of your own home.

Always be aware, however, that if you are high risk you should not put yourself in a position where you come into unnecessary contact with people not of your household.

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