Mental Health Job Seekers Resource Kit

1. Mental Health Job Seekers Resource Kit

2. WHY WORK? I can meet new people I can decide what I want With my money I can have more choices I can feel good about myself I can improve myself and my skills Think about the reasons why you want to work.....................

3. THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE LOOKING FOR WORK! What job do I want? What job will suit me? How many hours should I work? What support will I need? What can employers offer me? Should I disclose my disability? How will I Job search? What skills do I have, what skills are needed? Am I ready emotionally? Why not make some notes for yourself Having a good understanding of these areas will enable you to target your job search and provide a compelling reason for an employer to hire you. 

4. HOW DO I KNOW IF IT IS THE RIGHT TIME? Indicators might include: Are my energy levels good? Am I coping with stress and do I have strategies in place to reduce their impact? What are my triggers and what strategies do I have in place to deal with them? Am I taking my medication regularly (if required)? Do I have support like regular counselling or doctor visits scheduled (if required)? Being assessed as “Not Job Ready” does not mean you have no future options with regard to employment. By using organisations and support networks, you will get the help you need and try again whenever you feel you are ready.

5. FINDING A SERVICE THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU It is important that you receive the service that best meets your individual needs. Information on how to register with the right type of service provider can be found at: www.jobaccess.gov.au Australian Government employment services can help you find and keep a job. Job Network members help job seekers find work. They can provide employment services that meet your individual needs. Disability Employment Network members are specialists in helping people with disability to prepare for, find and keep a job. They can also help you if you need ongoing support at work. Vocational Rehabilitation Services provide a comprehensive intervention, combining specialist rehabilitation with employment assistance to help people with disability, injury or health condition to gain and keep a job.

6. I AM READY TO LOOK FOR WORK – WHAT TO CONSIDER? Personal Presentation and Development reminders Display a positive attitude Think positive about myself Good Hygiene is important Be well groomed Scrub up before an interview Tidy Hair Personal odour taken care of Wear appropriate attire It is important to be healthy and fit Body language Good eye contact Poor posture gives a negative message...so straighten up and look good! Give positive facial expressions Look after yourself inside and out

7. PREPARING FOR WORK Don’t give up. Keep positive. What will I need? A professional, competitive resume References Skills to write a good job application Strong motivation Strategies to deal with unsuccessful applications Support from an employment service Job search skills Interview skills Interview attire Why not make some notes for yourself

8. FINDING THAT JOB Different ways to look for work Centrelink Newspapers, radio, TV Noticeboards Direct approaches to the employer Self-Advertising Job Network Providers/Private Employment Agencies Personal Contact New Businesses Internet Trade/Professional Journals Mail your resume to potential employers Volunteer Work Consider Self-Employment Expand your options

9. WHAT ARE MY MOTIVATORS? Think about why you want to work, write down some answers placing each reason in order of how important that factor is:

10. RESUMESA RESUME IS A SUMMARY OF YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS AND SHOULD BE SHORT AND TO THE POINT. IT CAN BE ADJUSTED TO SUIT EACH JOB YOU APPLY FOR. A RESUME SHOULD INCLUDE: Contact Details • Name, Address, Phone No’s etc. Skills • Remember to mention your skills no matter where and how you acquired them. If you have been out of paid work for some time, it helps to show you have interests and hobbies which have developed and maintained your skills. Education & Qualifications • List your education and qualification details with the most recent entry first. Include: • Name of Course • Qualification Attained • Year Attained • Which institution • Attach copies of any transcripts of study Work History • List you previous jobs with the most recent entry first. Include: Position Title • Employer Name • Period of Employment • Dot points of the key duties. • Achievements • List any other achievements such as service awards, public recognition awards, prizes received, positions held with community organisation etc. Referees • From previous employers or character references. Need to be current and valid (contact your referees and advise them you are now actively job seeking)

11. ADDRESSING GAPS IN A RESUME Come up with suggestions on how you could address the gaps in your resume. For many people living with a mental illness, they may have repeated or prolonged episodes of illness resulting in their inability to retain work. They may have gaps in their resume of months or even years. Like any other job seeker, many people will try to fill the gaps with travel or study. This is not an acceptable practice. Below are some ideas. Answers may include: Personal, Illness, Not working between these dates Always comment that you are happy to discuss if selected for an interview

12. INTERVIEWS One of the key areas that will assist you to become a successful job seeker is the interview. For people living with a mental illness, interviews can sometimes be overwhelming. Prepare well for your interview Have contingency plans in place Practice! Get support throughout the process It is an achievement to reach the interview stage. It is good to remember that reaching the interview stage is an achievement in itself. Having reached the interview means you are “on a level playing field” with other applicants. You have been selected from a number of candidates (in many instances, 100’s) and have become one of five or so that are to be interviewed.

13. THE THREE P’S An interview is basically a presentation of yourself to a prospective employer. As with any presentation, the keys to a successful presentation are “The Three P’s”. One of the most successful techniques for preparing for an interview is role playing. The role play can assist you to identify how you will feel and give you time to develop strategies to cope. Practising can be repeated, issues can be analysed and processes refined. PreparationPractice Presentation

14. DEALING WITH REJECTION Rejection is always difficult to deal with. Highlight the positives. Remember the achievement of gaining an interview. It is not personal. They have just found someone they felt better suited the role. Think about how the interview went – where can you improve your skills?

15. THE JOB OFFER When you receive an offer of employment, this is an opportunity for you to get more details about the position and make a decision to accept or not. Things you may want to ask will include: Hours of work Salary What initial training can I expect? A start date and time Where do I need to go on my first day and who should I ask for?

16. DO YOU HAVE TO TELL YOUR BOSS THAT YOU HAVE A DISABILITY? • You need to tell your boss you have a disability if it means that you will do the main tasks differently. • 2. You need totell your boss you have a disability if you need to talk about ways to keep the workplace safe for you and everyone else.

17. DO YOU HAVE TO TELL OTHER PEOPLE AT WORK YOU HAVE A DISABILITY? You don’t have to tell other people at work you have a disability. Sometimes it can help if you talk to other people at work about your disability. So everyone knows how you do your job So everyone knows how you can all work together So everyone knows how to keep the workplace safe and fair for everyone The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1992 requires that a person's disability should be taken into account where, and only where, it is relevant and fair to do so. The DDA makes discrimination unlawful at all stages of the employment process, from recruitment and selection to discrimination during employment or in dismissal. There are positives and negatives to disclosing. You need to make an informed decision and feel confident with your decision.

18. WHAT CAN I DO TO STAY AT WORK? Handling stress at work is very important as this can be a factor in the onset or worsening of symptoms. Some strategies include: Taking slow deep breaths Talking about how you feel to someone you trust Making sure you take holidays Planning occasional ‘mental health days’ using annual leave, rather than calling in sick at the last minute Talk to a health professional about other stress management techniques

19. WHAT CAN I DO TO STAY AT WORK? Try to keep your life in balance by doing things that help you stay well, such as: • Taking any prescribed medications • Psychotherapy • Exercise • Getting enough sleep • Doing things you enjoy to relax • Socialising with friends and family

20. YOU HAVE THE SAME RIGHTS AS OTHER PEOPLE AT WORK There are laws about thisThere are also special laws to protect the rights of people with a disability. One important law is called the Disability Discrimination Act. This law is called the DDA for short The DDA stops people being unfair to you just because you have a disability The DDA lets you make a complaint if you think someone has been unfair The DDA is for people with all kinds of disabilities The DDA can help keep things fair for you at work.

21. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT FOR YOUR WORKPLACE TO BE HEALTHY AND SAFE Everyone at work has the right for the workplace to be healthy and safe. This happens when everyone sticks to the rules. Your boss must do some things to keep the workplace safe and healthy. All workers must do some things too. Ask your boss about the health and safety rules.If you think something isn’t safe, you have the right to speak up. You have the right for information about your disability to be kept private

22. EMPLOYEES HAVE OBLIGATIONS TO THEIR EMPLOYER Be honest Work carefully and competently Give proper attention to the work you are performing Do not divulge or use confidential information Do not report workplace disputes to funding bodies, newspapers etc Account for all money received on the employers behalf Remember that intellectual property or inventions usually belong to the employer Do not borrow or take the employer’s property without precise permission Answer questions truthfully that relate to your immediate work as long as it is not self-incriminating in which case you have the right to remain silent if accused of dishonesty, theft etc.