Find Candidates

Opening Doors To All Candidates
According to a report from the Society for Human Resource Management, 79 percent of companies report a significant gap in their talent pipeline. Advertising in the places that are frequented by diverse job-seekers, including those who have disabilities, can expand the pool of qualified candidates from which employers can draw.

• Network with state or community-based vocational rehabilitation services.
• Contact local university and college recruitment programs.
• Include disability service offices of local post-secondary institutions in your recruiting networks.
• Place ads with publications and web sites targeting people who have disabilities.

Advertising Positions
Advertise job openings in publications, on web sites and with agencies through which people who have disabilities can find them.

• Use the phrase "equal opportunity employer" in job advertisements to encourage all candidates to apply.
• Include either the 711 Telecommunications Relay option, or the Minnesota 1-800-627-3529 relay option in job openings to enable deaf and hard of hearing candidates to communicate efficiently. 
• Making information about job openings accessible to people who have disabilities positions your organization favorably in the marketplace of people who have disabilities.
• Create accessible applications: electronically, verbally, audio or video recorded, in large print, etc.

For more information about expanding advertising efforts visit MinnesotaWorks.net or contact a Disability Employment Specialist .

Expand Recruiting Efforts
Connecting with public and private organizations that specialize in working with people who have disabilities can be an invaluable asset to large and small organizations alike. While people who have disabilities search for jobs in all the traditional ways, businesses that extend recruiting efforts to nontraditional sources will increase their chances in finding qualified candidates.

Here are some key programs you should get to know:

• Community Rehabilitation Programs
• Employment Networks
• Minnesota Business Leadership Network

Organizations For Recruiting Students

• Career Opportunities for Students with Disabilities
• Workforce Recruitment Program
• Camps to Careers (800.328-9095 or TTY: 800.657.3973)
• Career Exploration Day (763.785.3617)

For consultation and support, contact your regional Disability Employment Specialist (800-328-9095).

View/download a PDF of this information.