Blind people want to work too. However, there are many more challenges to finding meaningful employment for those with a disability. I learned the #1 lesson on how to get the job I want when I want from a job interview that I will never forget.

 

The Background

I had just graduated college and was newly married. There was a lot riding on my next interview and I was nervous. I had been applying for computer related employment for months with no success. I had been pouring over the want ads and there were lots of jobs out there. However, for the vast majority of them, they weren’t a good fit.

 

One of the biggest challenges in finding the ‘right’ job was location. Because I was vision impaired, I couldn’t drive and had to depend on public transportation to get to and from my future office. Often, the jobs were out in the suburbs and were nowhere near any busses or metro. This meant, I had to keep looking.

My Job Interview

One day, I found a job that was a great fit for me. It was near public transportation and my skills were a fit. In addition, they needed to fill the position immediately and they were anxious for me to interview so that they could make me an offer. What could be better!

 

At that time, I didn’t yet carry a white cane. That would come later. So, when I did arrive for the interview, I was interviewed by the owner of the company and her assistant and they had no idea I had a vision problem. We talked about the job requirements and about how my skills would be a good fit. It went so well, they offered me the job right there.

 

I said, “That sounded fine. However, shouldn’t we talk about salary first”? They both laughed and asked me what I was looking for. I told them $35,000 per year. I was very pleased when they responded, “We were going to pay you $50,000 per year”. I thought 35k was appropriate and stuck with that.

 

As I was writing down some of the details on my notebook, they noticed how large I was writing each letter and asked me about it. I told them that I was “very nearsighted” and that I wrote large so that I can read it. In addition, I use special software on my computer that tells me what is on the screen as I type. That way, I am able to write documents and do email. It was at that point everything changed.

The Rejection

The owner said that she couldn’t have that. She wasn’t going to hire someone with a disability. Then, she and her employee left the room leaving me there by myself. The interview was abruptly over and I was left looking for a job.

 

I had faced discrimination before. But, never so obvious or intentional. I was really disappointed and down after the experience.

 

How to Play the Numbers Game to find Employment

I had to face the fact at that point that there were people in the world who won’t see me as anything more than my disability. I also realized that if I were ever going to find a job, I would have to play the numbers.

 

No, I don’t mean take up gambling. I mean that rather than spending a lot of effort on individual interviews to find my job, I would play-the-odds and spend my efforts on getting as many interviews as possible. No matter how many boss-jerks are out there, I would eventually find an employer who wasn’t stupid. They would see beyond the stereotypes and see my real value to their organization. I felt liberated. I was in control again.

 

Playing the job-interview-numbers has served me well over the past 20 years. I have been able to work continuously that whole time.

 

The Success Lessone Learned

Job hunting is a numbers game. There are lots of reasons an employer won’t hire you that may have nothing to do with you personally. If you don’t get that job you think you are perfect for, you could just be a victim of circumstance. In order to get a job in spite of challenges and forces outside your control, you need to keep trying no matter what. Think of it this way, for each job rejection you get, the closer you are to finding the right job. Play-the-numbers for employment success.