Looking for a new job is never easy. However, the good news is your health condition no longer prevents you from finding a job because prospective employers cannot ask about it. Prospective employers also cannot ask about your genetic make up.

You are likely to improve the chances of getting what you want, and minimize the surprises, if you  look for a job as an educated job seeker. In the sections connected with this document, we show you how to be such a person. For instance, think about how your current and reasonably foreseeable health condition may affect your work. Also consider benefits such as health insurance. Consider your social network pages such as Facebook and LinkedIn as part of your job search.

NOTE: These days, many employers search the internet for prospective employees before even setting a meeting. Before applying for a job, search the internet yourself by typing your name into at least Google and Bing (www.Google.com  and www.Bing.com  respectively). If your name comes up as associated with a disease site, you can ask them to remove your name, or change it to a fictitious name. Also check all social pages on which you may show up such as Facebook. If you cannot scrub your name from the internet as connected with a health condition, be upfront about it if you are called for an appointment - as well as explaining how it will not affect your ability to do the job or your long term prospects. (It helps to be part of a site which relates to your occupation. For example, professionals would do well to register on LinkedIn - and get a batch of people to link to you.)

If you have been unable to work because of your health condition, and are willing to disclose this fact to a new employer, you may have an advantage over other applicants because of a tax credit offered to employers who hire people with a "disability." To learn more, see: Work: Employer Tax Credit.

If you know other people who are looking for work, consider forming an informal club to help each other. Together you can share ideas, leads that you may not be aware of or have overlooked, and generally support each other. It does not have to be other people with your health history, or any health history, and they do not have to be in your field to be helpful.

If you are older, consider looking for work through an agency that finds jobs on a temporary basis. Such firms care more about experience than age.  Temp jobs often result in being hired permanently.

For Information about each of these subjects, see the sections of this document. Information about protections provided by the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) such as the prohibition against asking about your health condition is covered in the document in "To Learn More."

Please share how this information is useful to you. 0 Comments