Meeting with your career coach this year will be critical to your success this year. 

Many students think they have to figure out what’s next on their own.  This resource was created as a companion to showcase the steps to move you through college and the career development process. However, along with this resource, your career center/coach will be key to getting you to and through the finish line!

YOUR TOP PRIORITY THIS YEAR IS TO DEVELOP YOUR PROFESSIONAL TOOLKIT!

You will want to focus on preparing for future employment which includes:

• Prepare for a job interview for a full-time professional job. 

  You will review commonly asked questions.  You will learn the structure of an interview and questions you can asked the employer.  You will learn the job interview from the employer’s perspective.

  • Read this Neurodiversity Hub guide, written specifically for autistic job seekers, about job readiness and preparing for the job interview.  This workbook also includes information about: identifying skills, setting goals, transferrable skills, creating a cover letter, and creating a resume.

• Develop a professional wardrobe.

  Be sure to read this “Dress For Success: Interviewing Guidelines” that includes helpful pictures of typical professional attire. You can purchase clothing that fits your budget or utilize free career clothing closets. Your career coach can help you identify resources both on and off campus.

• Practice doing an interview.

  One of the best things you can do to prepare for interviewing is to practice!  Make an appointment with your coach asking for a mock job interview.  Your career coach will ask you common job interview questions and then give you feedback on what you did well and areas to improve.

  • Review this resource from Hire Autism of common interview questions during an interview process.
  • LinkedIn Learning videos have many videos you can watch with tips on how to answer common interview questions. Here’s one that you can expect you’ll have to answer first, “Tell me about yourself!”
  • Interviews don’t only happen in person!  Don’t forget to consider best practices for a virtual interview space. Hire Autism has a comprehensive interview guide with a section specifically for virtual interview.
    • Check out this user guide if you need technical help setting up Zoom.

• Develop your job search strategy to find full-time jobs. 

  Talk with your coach to identify a timeline of connecting with potential employers and application due dates.  You will want to have this meeting early in the fall in your senior year (August or early September). Part of this strategy might include:

  • Attending on-campus career fairs (re-read details to prepare you for this)
  • Reviewing the list of employers with recruitment programs for autistic individuals and contacting their human resources office about current openings
  • Reviewing top job posting sites specific for autistic individuals

• Discuss the pros and cons of disclosure in the workplace.

  Discuss this with a career coach, mentor, advocate, or contact in the Office of Disability Services for Students. Here are some resources that might help you navigate this:

  • To Tell or Not to Tell
  • Reveal or Conceal? The Pros & Cons of Disclosure in the Workplace
  • Timing of disclosure from start to finish from the Career Development Center
  • Video–Requesting Accommodations from Lime Connect