If This Video doesn’t give you chills, and a sense of gratitude-nothing will!
Our differently abled Americans need recruiters, and hiring managers to value their talent. Our veterans and differently abled workforce become invisible, they fall through the cracks sight unseen. Yet, their voices must be heard. They WILL be heard on an upcoming episode of Compassionate HR with Josh LeTourneau, Gerry Crispin, Steve Levy, and Dave Mendoza. Please read Josh’s Post From Fistful Of Talent.
He articulates the importance of coaching veterans how to interview. He articulates how we can support our vets through transition. Josh, Gerry, Dave and Steve are on to something here. Their work is groundbreaking and I invite each of you to get involved (call to action time). Read Gerry Crispin’s inspirational article, he invites us to join a worthy survey effort regarding the disability candidate experience. Imagine, being in a wheel chair, arriving on time for an interview, only to find you can’t make it up the stairs? Let’s change that.
Our workforce can only be strengthened when we put our differently abled veterans to work.
The Disabled American's are Differently Abled-Not Dis-Abled. They have strong skills and are worthy of a great job!
Many of our veterans have been rendered with disabilities by wars. They are NOT disabled. They are differently abled perhaps, and they deserve our respect. Our veterans, and people of different ability are still strong and capable human beings who can and want to work.
Don’t patronize a disabled American, hire them; they are gifted, and able human beings. A poignant article by the FederalTimes.com reports that The Federal Government is not doing enough to attract retain, and accommodate these incredible workers.
Unfortunately, many erroneous perceptions exist about their plight. For instance when a military veteran, fresh from the field returns homes, the business community doesn’t welcome them with open arms. As Steve Levy said on my show last week, “Hiring managers are afraid they are going to go postal,” whatever that means: it’s hogwash. Levy started a movement, 1000 recruiters of light. Veterans will be paired with a recruiter and will receive one to one coaching on how to get prepared to re-enter the workforce. Gerry Crispin and Dave Mendoza have embarked on a similar mission, and are working tirelessly to mentor, help and find jobs for our military veterans.
Today, and everyday ask yourself, what can I do empower our gifted, all too often invisible veterans and disabled workers in transition?
Please comment, share an experience. If you are a veteran, share your thoughts. Your voice is important to me. You matter in my life. And, if no one has told you “I care about you,” today, let me be the first.
Your twitter pal,
7 Comments
Leave a Reply
ABOUT
Host of Compassionate HR and Founder of HireFriday: Connecting Job Seekers To Resources
RECENT POSTS
Blogroll
- Alison Doyle, About.com 0
- Amanda Hite Talent Revolution 0
- BrazenCareerist 0
- Erik Deckers, Author No BS Social Media 0
- Incentive Intelligence Blogroll 0
- Jennifer Way, WaySolutions 0
- Karla Porter 0
- MNHeadhunter 0
- RCEuro UK Recruiter Blog 0
- Scott Stratten, UnMarketing 0
- Talent Culture 0
- Tom Bolt HireFriday Leadership Team Member 0
blogtalkradio
- Compassionate HR My Blogtalkradio Show Featuring people in our industry that endeavor to be steward leaders. Our show focuses on HR Professionals and Companies who go above and beyond the call of duty to give back to their communities 0
Great Post Margo!! I feel like this is a topic that rarely gets talked about. Aside from the fact that these men and women protect our freedoms, we forget that after years of training they are in fact some of the most reliable, dedicated, and hard working people out there. More companies SHOULD take a chance on them – they’ll be quick learners and valuable assets. Good Work!
Great post Margo! Thanks for highlighting such an important intitiative. We need to find our Vet’s Great jobs..I will listen Monday night/
Shennee
Shennee, I’m so happy you read this post. Gerry, Dave, Josh and Dave are doing groundbreaking work, and I hope you’ll join me in getting involved with their efforts.
Be sure to have your relative connect with Gerry, Dave, or Steve when they return for their tour of duty. Thanks so much for reading this post and commenting.
This video says it all. Thank’s so much!
Hi Margo,
Great post, and an important reminder for employers not only in the US, but world wide, to remember the value that service men and women can provide to their work place. Diversity is an important and, (sadly) an untapped source of talent that companies are not always receptive to. It is up to all of us in the recruitment and HR industries to lead the way, and educate our clients and business partners on the value that ex-military people can provide in an organization.
It is important to coach anyone on how to conduct themselves in interview. Selling oneself does not come naturally to a lot of people, and I could only imagine how overwhelming and intimidating it would be for any person undergoing a career change. Military career to civilian career is certainly the extreme! I hope that the job and career coaches in the US are ready for the challenge, and can provide some value to those returning to a ‘normal’ (for lack of a better word) life.
I congratulate you, Steve, Gerry and Dave for raising the awareness in the US. Hopefully other countries across the globe will follow suit.
All the best,
@LauraVezer
Laura Thank you for commenting. Diversity is important. Unfortunately, our differently abled are not validated under the common definition. Diversity is so much more than listing race. Diversity is about sensitivity to all cultures, ethnic group, and people of different ability. It is up to recruiters and HR pros to give these brave Americans a voice. They have been muted far too long. The ADA is helped, but unfortunately it is a mere scratch of the surface. We need to help, support, and guide all unemployed workers. It’s the least we can do.