2024-2025 Purdue University Career Planning Handbook

For addi i onal resources, please visit h h ps://www.cco.purdue.edu, and click on the Student Communi i es sec c on

You can choose if or when to disclose disability. If you choose to disclose, you could talk about it in your cover letter or during your interview or when you’ve received an offer. Talk to a Career Consultant to discuss the pros and cons and timing of disclosure. Keep in mind that employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations to conduct and interview or to perform job requirements if you disclose in advance. Regardless of your decision regarding disclosure, focus on your abilities and accomplishments in all your professional documents and interactions. You should also consider including specialized skills and experiences such as reading Braille or involvement in organizations for individuals with disabilities. Utilize all your resources to navigate the job search process including: disability-specific associations, disability placement companies and government workforce recruitment programs. Make informed decisions by using the international student resources on the CCO website to identify companies who have hired international students, and find opportunities for employment outside of the US. Build connections with Purdue alumni in your targeted industries. Such efforts will help you to understand how you fit in an industry and how you can better market yourself for your target job. Highlight technical and professional skills on your resume and cover letter. Sample professional skills would be communication, teamwork, problem-solving, leadership and more. It is recommended that you avoid stating your visa status on your resume. However, you are required to disclose your work authorization on your job application. Disclosing or coming out about your identity is completely your choice. Research companies to learn their work culture and inclusive policies. If you are comfortable being out at work based on that research, list activities on your resume accordingly. You can list the full name of the LGBTQ related group, their abbreviation or an alternative name, such as Diversity and Inclusion Group or Anti-Discrimination Organization. Be prepared to discuss upon request from an employer. During the job search process, focus on the skills and values you bring to the hiring organization. As you prepare for your civilian job search, be sure to connect with the Veteran and Military Success Center. This organization provides support and assistance that will help guide you in this process, including networking and workshops to help transition military experience into civilian careers. Review your resume to identify areas where you transition your military experience into civilian terms. Seek career opportunities that capitalize on the skills you developed and utilized in the military. Be prepared to speak to potential employers about your accomplishments.

14 Center for Career Opportunities

THE JOB SEARCH