Editorâs note: To learn more about how to increase employment opportunities with LinkedIn as a person who is blind or low vision, watch NRTC and NSITEâs partnership webinar: Linking Up with LinkedIn. The following blog has been updated as of June 2023.
How Can LinkedIn Benefit the Job Seeker Who Is Blind or Low Vision?
Perhaps you are a job seeker who is blind or low vision and youâre ready to create a LinkedIn account or you have a LinkedIn account with an underdeveloped profile and connections.
First, youâre going to want to know how to utilize LinkedIn as a person who is blind or low vision. The linked blog provides tips for getting started with LinkedIn and helpful resources. Thankfully, LinkedIn and its general features are accessible!
Second, learn from Empish Thomas, who shared the following tips with the APH ConnecctCenter: Complete every [thatâs right, every!] section of the profile, promote your personal brand (as opposed to a current or former employer), max out the available skill slots, utilize keywords from your career field, upload a professional-looking headshot, âinviteâ connections, connect to groups, and ask for recommendations from your contacts.
Benefits of Using LinkedIn
Assuming you invest the time to follow the advice from Ms. Thomas, these are the benefits you can reap [while some are specific to being blind or low vision, most are not]:
- Your profile (which is a resume) can be read while blindness or low vision is not even on the table (the way it should be!).
- If the prospective employer knows you are blind or low vision, describing or providing examples of your high-quality work, talents, and job-related successes on LinkedIn is one opportunity to answer the question he or she is wondering, âCan you perform the essential job functions without sight?â
- You can discuss career-related topics with other professionals within a LinkedIn interest group. Youâll strengthen your social network as you learn from one another in your chosen career field.
- You can browse careers in various career fields and workplaces.
- You can learn skill sets needed for a specific job by exploring profiles of individuals who work in your desired field. Just remember that the individuals are alerted when profiles are read!
- You can look to see if you have any connections who work in your desired career.
- You can expand your career-specific knowledge by reading recommended articles.
- You can share your knowledge and expertise by publishing or sharing articles and resources.
- You can connect others who would benefit from each other, leave positive feedback and recommendations for others, and endorse the skills of othersâwhich is the secret to unlocking the potential of your social network!
Now get to preparing that profile! Donât waitâLinkedIn is an incredible tool for todayâs job seekers!