TICKET TO WORK - Cornell University

1 TICKET to work Free Support Services for People Who Have a Disability and Are Ready to work National work Incentives Seminar Event (WISE) Webinar Date: Wednesday, August 22, 2012 Time: 3:00-4:30 , EDT Adjusting Audio Mode 1 Audio and Questions Panels 2 Webinar Accessibility 3 Webinar Accessibility Toll-Free number: 1-877-739-5903 Access code: 180-106-670 Closed captioning: Webinar PowerPoint, accessible PDF, and text are located at the URL link you received in your WISE confirmation and access letter. 4 Webinar Accessibility Webinar presentation, transcript, and audio recording will be available in approximately two weeks at: Webinar question & answer period During the webinar, submit your questions on the webinar chat or to Anytime after the webinar day, email your questions to 5 Agenda 6 Welcome and Introduction Thomas Golden, Employment & Disability Institute, Cornell University Job Search Tips James Arndt, Paralyzed Veterans of America Resume & Cover Letter Tips James Arndt Interview Tips James Arndt TICKET to work & Employment Network Services James Arndt Other Resources Questions and Answers Presentation Team 7 A Welcome from Bob Williams, Associate Commissioner What Can You Expect From This Presentation?

2 Tips for the job search How to write a resume and cover letter Interview tips TICKET to work & Employment Network Services Other Resources 8 Why Choose work ? 9 Earn more income Why Choose work ? 9 Earn more income Gain independence Why Choose work ? 9 Earn more income Gain independence Learn new skills Why Choose work ? Earn more income Gain independence Learn new skills Meet new people 9 A Real TICKET to work Success Story! Meet Robert Robert is a veteran who spent seven years serving in the Army. After a surgery mishap in 2000, he sustained a spinal cord injury that left him with limited mobility. TICKET to work helped Robert discover his passion for helping other veterans navigate the transition back into civilian life. 10 When You re Ready to work Gathering information and resources is key to planning your journey toward employment. Social Security s TICKET to work and work Incentives can help make your journey a smooth one.

3 11 When You re Ready to work Building your Employment Team is the best way to begin. You have options to help you get started: Speak with an expert at our TICKET to work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 (Voice) or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY/TDD). Learn more about TICKET to work , read our blog, and watch real success story videos at . Find an Employment Network (EN) that meets your needs or work with your state VR agency. Stay connected to your Employment Team (EN or VR) as you explore your work options. 12 Social Security Disability Benefit Programs Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) 13 Social Security Disability Benefit Programs Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) 14 Social Security Disability Benefit Programs Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) 15 Both SSDI and SSI = Concurrent Benefits TICKET to work : The Three Most Common Myths #1 If I try to go to work , I will automatically lose my Medicare or Medicaid.

4 16 TICKET to work : The Three Most Common Myths #2 If I use my TICKET to go to work , Social Security will perform a medical review on me and I will lose my benefits. 17 TICKET to work : The Three Most Common Myths #3 If I go to work and then have to stop working, I will have to reapply for benefits all over again. It took me forever to be approved for benefits and I cannot afford to have to wait that long again, so I should not try to work . 18 Job Search Tips 19 Job Search Tips for Jobseekers with Disabilities Ask your service provider for help Network Join local employment groups Asking your friends and family if they know of anyone who is hiring Use online social networks such as Facebook and LinkedIn to find out about jobs, and tell members of your networks that you are looking for a job Use the internet to find jobs on job sites like Monster and CareerBuilder and corporate sites Search the help wanted ads in local newspapers Attend job fairs Look around your neighborhood for help wanted signs and ask local businesses if they are hiring Get Connected!

5 20 Resume & Interview Tips 19 Resume Tips for Jobseekers with Disabilities A resume is a document that lists all your accomplishments. The goal is to secure a job interview! The interview is usually the first impression that employers have of you so you want it to be a good one! What is a resume? 20 Parts of your Resume Heading Basic contact information: your name, address, phone number, and professional email address Remember not to include personal information like your Social Security number! Objective State the position you are applying for, or Highlight your experience and accomplishments. Heading and Objective 20 Parts of your Resume Include work -related history Focus on experience related to your job goals Each listing should include your job title Organization name and location Dates you held the job work responsibilities, highlighting your skills and accomplishments Experience 20 Parts of your Resume If you do not have a long work history, be sure to include volunteer work or self employment.

6 For more information on using volunteer work as a bridge to employment, join us on October 31 for the TICKET to work and National Service to Employment Webinar! Experience 20 Parts of your Resume Employers may view large gaps in work history suspiciously and not follow up with a jobseeker as a result. If you have a recent gap of more than six months on your resume, you may want to include some explanation in your resume or cover letter. It may be helpful to include this in the body of your cover letter where you can provide more explanation. your explanation should have a positive tone and convey that you can perform the job. Gaps in Employment 20 Parts of your resume Include the years you went to school, the degree you received, and your GPA if it was over If you have more than 5 years of work experience, put this after your experience. Recent graduates can list this before work experience. Education 20 Resume Tips Be concise but relevant Length Try to keep your resume to one page your resume can be two pages if you have over ten years work experience or are in a field that requires technical and engineering skills that you must list.

7 Font Paper Proofread Proofread your resume Then do it again Then ask a friend, family member or career services staff person to look it over Sending it in General Guidelines 20 Cover Letter Tips for Jobseekers with Disabilities Convince the employer to look at your resume by writing a good cover letter! The basic outline for a cover letter is as follows: Heading: name and address Greeting Opening paragraph Job you are applying for Where you learned about the job Why you should get the job Be creative and try to get the employers attention! Body Closing Paragraph Close General Guidelines 20 Cover Letter Tips for Jobseekers with Disabilities Keep it to one page! Don t repeat your resume word-for-word Customize your cover letter for each job Spell check and proofread- ask your service provider for help! Job you are applying for Where you learned about the job Why you should get the job Be creative and try to get the employers attention!

8 Body Closing Paragraph Close Keep these things in mind! 20 Interview Tips 29 Interview Tips Preparation is key Research the company Dress appropriately Bring several copies of your resume and a note pad Follow up with a Thank You letter Interview Questions 20 Interview Tips Prepare answers for potential interview questions Be concise and direct Be honest Give an example/Tell a story Be prepared to tell interviewers about your experiences Don t provide negative information Be prepared to ask the interviewer questions Questions 20 Interviewing with a Disability A common concern is the issue of whether or not to tell an interviewer about one s disability, and if so, how? This is a highly personal decision, and should be made on a case by case basis. However you decide to handle the issue, it will help you to have a plan in advance and be prepared. Disclosure 20 Interviewing with a Disability Generally, employers want workers who they can rely on and who have the skills, background and abilities to get the job done.

9 When and if you discuss your disability to a potential employer, you will want to emphasize your abilities and describe how you ll get the job done, especially if you will use methods and tools unfamiliar to the employer. Disclosure 20 Interviewing with a Disability For more information on disclosure and job accommodations, please view our archived webinar, Support for People with Disabilities: TICKET to work , Job Accommodations and You online at Or visit Disclosure 20 Succeeding at work 29 On the Job Success Take initiative Ask questions Take advantage of training opportunities Communicate Be your Best! 20 TICKET to work and Employment Network Services 29 What Is TICKET to work ? TICKET to work is a FREE and VOLUNTARY program to assist SSDI and SSI beneficiaries who have a disability go to work , enter the workforce for the first time, or increase their current work hours. Most people with disabilities ages 18 through 64 who receive SSDI or SSI benefits can participate in the program.

10 TICKET to work Program 20 TICKET to work Program When You re Ready to work The TICKET to work Program If You: TICKET to work & work Incentives Can: Are ready to earn more money! Help you improve your earning potential Need the personal fulfillment that comes from Provide the assurance and stability you need to feel confident while you pursue employment Want to be able to get benefits back if your job does not work out because of your Put you on the fast track back to receiving benefits Are overwhelmed and do not know where to Connect you with the people, resources and services you need to develop a work plan 21 Building your Employment Team Contacting an Employment Network When you re ready to use your TICKET : Call the TICKET to work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY/TDD) to speak with a trained representative and request a list of Employment Networks that serve your area. Visit to access a list of Employment Networks near you.