Lift, Inc.

Lift, Inc. (http://www.lift-inc.org) is a national nonprofit corporation that hires, trains and places people with significant physical disabilities in high-level information technology jobs, such as programming and systems analysis. Other professional jobs are available. People are placed with one of Lift's corporate clients in yearlong contract positions. Lift is the employer for that time. At the end of the contract period, clients are invited to hire individuals full time, and they do so.

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Location: Washington, D.C., United States

Thursday, December 21, 2006

Save the Date! IBM Networking and Information Sessions, Alexandria, VA

Take a deep breath, put your best foot forward and have fun! Lift, Inc.'s longtime corporate client, IBM, will be hosting an invitation-only networking session for IT professionals who have minority backgrounds or disabilities on Friday, February 2, 2007, from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. IBM is hiring in Global Business Services, Sales & Distribution, and other divisions. A limited number of invitations are available. Lift staff invites interested, experienced IT professionals who have disabilities to send resumes for consideration. Please RSVP to PView@lift-inc.org. More information will arrive soon about the location.

Monday, December 04, 2006

Making Job Fairs Work for You

Job fairs are typically crowded events. Even though you've planned well, arrive early and have an elevator speech and résumés ready, the experience may not be the best job search experience. Here's how to make them successful:

1) Attend only industry-specific job fairs that offer your targeted positions.
2) Talk to as many recruiters as possible, but really try to make contact with five favorites to focus your company research, questions, etc.
3) Come with a flexible but positive attitude.
4) Relax, but don't spend too much time on the sidelines.

Give Me Some Java--Code, Not Coffee

Computer skills certainly will continue to be in demand. If you are aiming for high-level programming, the basic programs are necessary. Requirements differ with each employer. One needed application is Java-the language along with HTML 4.0 that drives many Web pages and applications. Learning any programming language takes time. But even while you are looking for a job, read, practice and study in new areas so you'll be ahead of the curve.

Saturday, December 02, 2006

Thoughts about Recruiting

I had some experience a few years back with interviewing college students who have disabilities. This was fun, and I got to meet many motivated young men and women with a variety of skills and talents. Almost all were very confident (if they weren't, they hid it extremely well). I love helping people to succeed. It is so easy to become everyone's cheerleader, because you know the job hunt is so challenging. However, this has to be tempered with a hard look at what the individual offers the organization.

Here are a few things I remember from my brief time as a recruiter:

1) Most of the students were active in social clubs and an outside job in addition to their classes, which demonstrated diverse, positive interests and an ability to multitask.

2) The students had definite career goals. They were prepared and professional. They gave focused answers. I had to eliminate those few who were not.

3) Quite a few of the individuals filled out application forms in handwriting or printing, when typewritten is the norm. I told everyone this. One person so impressed me that I requested that he type the form. We talked about it at length. He did so, and sent me a very nice thank you letter with the application. And yes-I cheered when he found a job.

4) One individual requested a specific type of chair well before the interview. Because of the nature of the person's disability, that chair would help with balance. Arriving at the interview room, we found the chair was not there. People need to be comfortable, so together we found one. Once the matter was settled, we finished up a great interview.

5) Several applicants were deaf or hard of hearing. Communication was no problem. For the person who could lip-read, I made sure I spoke clearly, naturally and directly, at proper volume and without putting my hand over my mouth. Occasionally we wrote things down.

For the person who used a sign language interpreter, I faced the applicant and the interpreter across the table. The applicant and I chatted very naturally about his field, accomplishments and career path. I did not talk with the interpreter at all during the interview, which is the proper approach.

6) I also interviewed someone with severe cerebral palsy who was assisted by a family member. The applicant was a 4.0 GPA math major-a senior-who loved Web design and showed much enthusiasm for it. This person had no work experience because of many mobility and speech challenges. During the interview my boss encouraged investigating augmentative communication to facilitate conversation with others. This individual eventually found opportunities and a way to develop skills more. Creativity is helpful all around-both for the applicant to develop work experiences and for employers to find a fit for the person. There's more than one way to look at things.