When Whitney* reached out to Assiya Ashraf-Miller, a Hire Autism navigator, it had been several years since she had looked for a new job. Whitney was happy to find the experience insightful and aligned with the current expectations of the job market.

When Ashraf-Miller heard from Whitney about her professional achievements and her published writing, she realized she could leverage those accomplishments in her job search. Ashraf-Miller took a comprehensive approach to help Whitney widen her job search to other fields and create a comprehensive search strategy. “With a robust and tailorable cover letter and good interviewing skills, we broadened her search by exploring opportunities beyond her previous industry. We collaborated on Whitney’s resume, while I suggested adjustments and ensured it included her diverse experiences, including volunteering and her contributions as an author and blogger. I also gave her insights into job search engines and applicant tracking systems, and we updated her LinkedIn profile to enhance visibility and showcase her breadth of experience.”
Throughout the process, Whitney learned “that my skills don’t put me in the box I thought I was doomed to be in. My skills translate to just about any job, and I’ll get to use more of them in my new job.” Armed with that understanding, Whitney could persuasively present her qualifications to potential employers. She found a role she is excited about as a request for proposal specialist. She will assist with creating proposals for commercial healthcare businesses. “This will be the first role where I will exclusively utilize my writing skills, and I’ll gain new project management skills!”

Whitney expressed her gratitude to the Hire Autism program for providing a space for an underserved community to get the support it needs, highlighting the support she got from her navigator. “I couldn’t have done this without Assiya’s help!”
Ashraf-Miller advises all job seekers to “be open and confident about highlighting their achievements in their resume and during the interview process. Specific examples of how you overcame a challenge or conflict at work and instances of successful teamwork and project completion can significantly enhance your profile. Don’t limit yourself to just one field. It’s okay to expand your horizons and open up to new opportunities. Leverage informational interviews to explore different companies and sectors, and use services like Hire Autism to support your search. Most importantly, believe in yourself—confidence in your abilities is crucial to succeeding in the competitive job market. For those on the autism spectrum, remember that your unique perspective and strengths are powerful assets in the workplace.”
Having a personal connection to autism, Ashraf-Miller noted “enables us to recognize and highlight the unique strengths and gifts that autistic individuals bring to the workplace.” She hopes that through education and awareness, employers can do the same and “better understand how to tailor recruiting, retention, and employee programs to support this talented pool for mutual success.”
If you are an autistic job seeker searching for meaningful employment, get started on your journey today by contacting us at mail@hireautism.org or by creating an account. If you would like to impact the lives of autistic job seekers directly, please consider becoming a Hire Autism navigator.
*Whitney requested OAR not use her full name to protect her privacy.
The post Job Found with Support of Hire Autism Navigator first appeared on Organization for Autism Research.
- Source: https://researchautism.org/oaracle-newsletter/job-found-with-support-of-hire-autism-navigator/
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