You left home that morning thinking it will be just another day at work. Little did you know that an injury would change your life forever. The truth is, you are not alone because at least 497,000 other Australians experience injury or illness at work.
It’s a sad statistic, but it’s also a reality that a lot of people have to face, especially when it comes to getting back to work after a disability. So, if you’re already in this stage, here are some tips that will help you get on the right track for employment.
Re-assess your skills.
You may still have the same set of skills, but your injury or disability may change what you’re capable of doing. This doesn’t mean, however, that you’re not capable of working efficiently when you get back on the job. You just need to re-assess your skills and update your resume, so it’s easier for you to find a job that suits your current set of skills.
Understand your rights.
Whether you’ve been out of a job for a few weeks, months or years, you can expect that a lot has changed since you left. So before you get back on your job search, it’s very important to update yourself with the latest career trends; and most importantly, your rights as an employee with a disability. You should know that there are laws that protect persons with disabilities against discrimination in Australia, so you need to understand your rights to protect yourself.
Register with a Disability Employment Service (DES) provider.
Once you think that you’re ready to start applying for work, you need to register with a disability employment service provider first. These specialists will help you find suitable jobs for your disability so that you won’t have to do the legwork on your own. They can also give you the guidance that you need as you prepare for your job, including assistance in creating your resume, practicing for your interview, and knowing your rights as you get back on the job.
Invest in skills improvement.
Having a disability should never hinder you from improving your skills through training and workshops. This will not only help you update yourself with the latest improvements in your field, but it will also give you that competitive edge so that you can land a job faster. You should also take this opportunity to build your network by participating in events, communicating with other professionals, and joining communities that will help empower you as you get back to work.
Finally, it’s very important to learn that your disability will change the way you work. In fact, you may encounter some challenges as you adjust to working with a disability. But this shouldn’t keep you from achieving your goals because your disability should never be your end game.
If you’re ready to get back to the corporate world, take the first step towards employment by working with our team.
