By Contributor Diane Winiarski
Employment Networks (EN) and state Vocational Rehabilitation agencies (VR) are here to provide that … More critical assistance through the Ticket To Work (TTW) Program. Vocational professionals provide a comprehensive approach every step of the way that creates confidence and helps you to overcome barriers and find a position that works for you.
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For those returning to work after recovering from a serious injury or disability, the journey can feel arduous. The process requires determination, perseverance and personalized guidance. For many, returning to the workforce can feel intimidating, from creating a competitive resume to understanding the Social Security Administration鈥檚 (SSA) rules for working while protecting Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.
Employment Networks (EN) and state Vocational Rehabilitation agencies (VR) are here to provide that critical assistance through the Ticket To Work (TTW) Program. Vocational professionals provide a comprehensive approach every step of the way that creates confidence and helps you to overcome barriers and find a position that works for you.
If you have decided to return to the workforce, the support of a Social Security-authorized service provider is an important next step. Whether you plan to return to your previous role or find a new one, vocational experts can provide career coaching that helps you clarify goals, build skills and succeed in today鈥檚 job market with expert support for your specific needs.
Career Coaching In The Ticket To Work Program
Career coaching is more than just sending along job openings鈥攊t鈥檚 customized assistance tailored to help you identify your goals, prepare for a new role, and succeed. Through the TTW Program, ENs provide free one-on-one coaching, specific to your unique background and job aspirations.
Vocational experts assist at every step of your return to work. In this article, we鈥檒l examine how they help with skills assessment and goal setting, your job search and interview preparation.
Skills Assessment & Goal Setting
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Your EN may begin the coaching with a skills and interest assessment. They鈥檒l help you review your job history, education, personal interests, and find transferrable skills that will work across industries or positions. For example, if you had a physical job like painting or welding, you could now be looking for a role with less exertion in an office. The goal is to find your strengths and match them with job possibilities that align with your interests and abilities.
Once your ENs understands your skills and goals, they鈥檒l help you create reasonable short- and long-term career goals. Your Individual Work Plan (IWP) is a personalized roadmap of the steps you鈥檒l take to find and maintain employment. This process can help you envision a future thatprovides the necessary structure to move into your job search with purpose and determination
Strategic Job Search
Once your vocational expert has helped you create your IWP, they鈥檒l assist you in constructing a job search strategy that works in today鈥檚 evolving job market. This professional support gives you tips and techniques to focus your search where it matters most.
Your vocational expert offers help with:
Writing effective resumes and cover letters tailored to your experience and the job at hand.
Targeting specific industries and positions that match your goals and skillset.
Making the most of your personal and professional networks to find opportunities.
Structure and accountability to help you stay organized and upbeat, meet application deadlines and keep moving forward.
Interview Preparation
Many people find job interviews intimidating, and even more so when faced with discussing employment gaps with prospective employers. Your vocational expert assists with interview preparation by:
Conducting mock interviews online to build your confidence and help you address employment gaps effectively.
Structuring your answers to highlight your accomplishments and how you problem-solve (STAR Method). This technique involves outlining the Situation, Task, Action, and Result to clearly communicate your experience and impact.
Providing constructive critiques and confidence-building tips.
Clients tell me that their interview prep helps them feel more confident and ready to make a positive impression.
The Real-Life Impact Of Returning To Work With An EN
ENs nationwide have helped thousands of former workers return to the workforce. Each person鈥檚 story recounts how vocational support transforms lives. These clients have shared their positive experiences working with vocational experts at their ticketed EN.
Michael Smith, a military veteran who returned to work feels his EN made his return to work less stressful. 鈥淵ou need that support and want that support, throw that stress out the window and let someone else take care of it.鈥
Marshalla Cofer reflects on her EN experience this way, 鈥淵ou have no idea the relief that gives me. It鈥檚 hard to even put into words. It鈥檚 life changing and such a mental relief for a person with a brain injury to 鈥 have the services in place to help us.鈥
Thousands of people who work with ENs and state VRs have gained renewed confidence and financial stability due to the guidance they鈥檝e received. Career coaching through the Ticket to Work Program provides more than advice. It鈥檚 an empowering partnership that helps you to achieve your goal of returning to work. From skills assessment to realistic goal setting, to a strategic job search and the latest interview preparation, vocational experts at ENs and VRs are here to help you with aspects of your return-to-work journey.
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