In this episode, Brad W. Minton interviews Mikhail Filipovitch, the Vice President of Operations at Jobs for Humanity, about inclusive hiring and disability support. Mikhail shares his personal journey and the catalyst that led him to work in the disability rights movement. He discusses the misconceptions that employers have about hiring people with disabilities and emphasizes the importance of building trust and showcasing past success to encourage employers to take a leap of faith. Mikhail also provides advice for young job seekers with disabilities, including the importance of building confidence, seeking internships and volunteer opportunities, and connecting with communities and mentors.

In this conversation, Brad and Mikhail discuss the importance of personal branding and showcasing one's authentic impact in the job search. They also highlight the value of being proactive and coming to the table with solutions to potential challenges. Mikhail emphasizes the power of community and the resources available to young job seekers, such as personal contacts, organizations like Jobs for Humanity, and employee resource groups. He also encourages individuals to focus on gaining experience, whether through internships, volunteer work, or self-employment. Mikhail shares success stories of individuals who overcame barriers and found meaningful employment with the support of organizations like Jobs for Humanity.

Key Takeaways

• Building trust and showcasing past success can encourage employers to hire people with disabilities.
• Young job seekers with disabilities face unique barriers, including a lack of mentors and predecessors.
• Job Accommodations Network (JAN) is a valuable resource for job seekers with disabilities, providing guidance on disclosure and accommodations.
• Confidence can be built by seeking internships, volunteering, and connecting with communities and mentors.
• Being solution-oriented and productivity-focused when discussing accommodations with employers can make the process easier. Personal branding is crucial in the job search, as it allows individuals to communicate their authentic impact and what they bring to the table.
• Being proactive and coming to the table with solutions to potential challenges is highly appealing to prospective employers.
• Building a strong community and utilizing available resources, such as personal contacts and organizations like Jobs for Humanity, can greatly benefit young job seekers.
• Gaining experience through internships, volunteer work, or self-employment is essential, especially for individuals with disabilities who may face assumptions about their abilities.
• Success stories highlight the transformative power of support and advocacy in helping individuals overcome barriers and find meaningful employment.

Guest Info:

Mikhail Filipovitch

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikhailfilipovitch/

Jobs For Humanity: https://www.jobsforhumanity.com/

JAN: https://askjan.org/