By Karen, 4th November 2019
  

• Cover Letter
• Job description
• On Line Application

 
I had used a previous template for a cover letter which I use and readapt for any new jobs I am applying for. The main tool I use for this was in the job description from the company of the position I have or am applying for. I stated my current position and overview of my qualifications or experience that will show my ability or skills that they are looking for in a prospective employee.
 
Next is the online application. Well this is a challenge for me in itself. I try and keep it very simple taking small steps at a time, simplifying it, trying to break it down into small chunks although I invariably have always had difficulty attaching the Cover letter and CV for some unknown reason. My solution for this was to ring HR (Human Resources) send it as a separate attachment and get them to attach it.
 
On this occasion I was successful in scoring an interview.  My next step was to prepare for the interview. I needed some help and and guidance with finding my strengths who else better to ask than a successful  person with Dyslexia who knows her own strengths. Thank you Sally 😊. Here are some Links Sally gave me which I found helpful.

The True Gifts of a Dyslexic Mind | Dean Bragonier   
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dPyzFFcG7A&feature=youtu.be 

9 Strengths of Dyslexia  
https://www.nessy.com/us/parents/dyslexia-information/9-strengths-dyslexia/ 

Value Dyslexia Thinking
https://www.virgin.com/richard-branson/value-dyslexic-thinking
 
What is dyslexia
http://dyslexiahelp.umich.edu/dyslexics/learn-about-dyslexia/what-is-dyslexia
 
 
The Interview:

• Be prepared, do some home work and research in readiness for questions.
• Smile, appear really enthusiastic. How much do you want the job? Tell them! and why you want it.
• Know your strengths
• Know your weaknesses ( I prefer to call them areas to be developed)
• Link in their values with your values.
• Ask them questions too. This is your opportunity to interview them.
• Remember they are interested in what you have to offer or you wouldn’t have been selected for the interview.

 
Summary from Chris and further discussion at the meeting
 
Key points:

• Focus on your strengths in the cover letter
• Talking the process through with someone can help
• Online application-
  • do small chunks at a time
  • how can you make it easier to look at? Eg. coloured background, make the print larger
• prior knowledge of the job helps – do your research to help develop a big picture of what eh job includes
• have a positive attitude – you can do this!
• Smile 

 
Strategies Karen has developed to help at work

• using her phone to take photos of notes and write the info down later
• seeing dyslexia as a difference not a disability
• seeing herself more positively helps
• understand some tasks do take longer but can still do it

Workbridge History
 

• Workbridge has had many name changes over the years
• It was originally started to support returning soldiers
• They expanded to include civilian’s
• It now runs as a board and operational committee
• The stakeholders include Deaf Aotearoa, Blind Citizens NZ, Disabled Persons Assembly

 
 
 
Jo Brand’s history
 

• Worked for large corporate company for 17 years
• Included employment team of 300
• Would look for employees with learning difficulties as they had the following skills to make good employees;
  • Strategies and coping mechanisms developed
    
  • Good problem solvers
• Would spend on coaching or adaptive software to support these workers which benefited the business profitability
• Jo brought the Starbucks Coffee Business licence to NZ

 
 
Workbridge
 
Our Vision
Every Person with a disability has the same value as any other person & will contribute positively in the workplace
 
 
Workbridge provides a Free service to Job Seekers and Employers.
Funded and held accountable by the Ministry of Social Development
Not a government organisation.
 
Eligibility
Job Seeker must meet these criteria

• not working at all or only up to 5 hours a week on average,
• identifies a barrier to employment or sustaining employment,
• 16- 65 years old
• not enrolled in secondary education,
• is not receiving service from another provider (e.g ACC) but WINZ is fine

 
Job Seekers

• Support provided to navigate their identified barrier
• This can include disability, health condition or injury – does not require a medical certificate and can be self- identified

 
 
Support for job seekers

• resources needed pre employment:
  • CV,
  • Cover Letters,
  • Interview skills,
  • Impression Management etc

• Profiling Job Seekers to potential employers
  • through our own exclusive vacancies and relationships with employers or
  • as cold calling

• Post Placement Support
  • We continue to support our clients once placed to ensure they have strategies in place to manage “bad hair days” ,
  • provide an ear for concerns or issues to overcome,
  •  provide solutions and support for client and employer if any workplace adaptions are required e.g Adaptive software (turning written word to voice) , adaptive equipment (specialised equipment) , modifications to workplace environment (ramps, support railing)

 
Employers:

• We have strong relationship management with multiple employers and organisations to provide a FREE service to meet their recruitment needs.
• We fill on average 3500 roles a year in NZ.
• We can often know of job leads before advertisement and of upcoming projects requiring increasing their work teams.
• We have many exclusive job listings which are only accessible to our clients.

 
 
 
How to connect with Workbridge
 
Visit us at anytime at 48 Kelvin Street, Invercargill
Call us on 0508858858,
email job@workbridge.co.nz or
Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/workbridgesouthland/
 
Come to a group “Welcome session” on Monday afternoons, or
Make an appointment to meet one on one