The Art of Job Matching:Customizing the

Placement Process

SD Disability Employment Initiative Training

Spearfish, SDSeptember 10, 2014

Think about the Job Successes…

• Yours

• Others

How Important is the Job Match?

“No amount of training and support can patch a poor job match.”

(The Rehabilitation Counselor Desk Top Guide)

Sometimes It can be Hard to Find that Good Fit

• A job opening• Services• “Others”• Our boss• Funding • Economy• Location

What is the result?

What Often Influences Our Job Placement Decisions?

What Factors are Important to Consider in Job Placement?

The skills, interests, passions, and support needs of the individual

The opportunities and business needs of the employer

Bridge the gaps with training, supports, and accommodations

What Can Be the Challenges?

• No work experience• Unrealistic goals/expectations• Lack of skills, negative behaviors• Don’t know what they want to do• Not sure if they want to work

• Employers not willing to hire• No jobs available• Need a lot of training/support

I Assessment/

Discovery

VFading/

Follow-Along

IIICustomized Job

Placement

IVJob

Training

SUPPORTEDEMPLOYMENT

IIJob

Development

Assessment/Discovery: What Do We Need to Know?

Not: Can this person work? Can this person do the job? Response to specific questions or arbitrary criteria.

Focus On:

What are this individual’s skills, interests, preferences, and support needs?

Assessment/Discovery

• Talk to the individual; spend time together

• Observe in multiple environments

• Talk with people who know him/her

• Identify existing routines, people, supports

• Conduct community and situational assessments

• Determine his or her passions, likes & dislikes, what works and what doesn’t

Job Development:What Do We Need to Know?

Not: What employer will hire this individual?

Focus On:

What is the best job match for this individual?

Job Development

• Become familiar with the business community

• Develop relationships with local businesses

• Find out about specific companies

• Tap into personal networks

• Develop your sales approach

• Present the benefits, make dollar and cents case

Customized Job Placement

• Compare assessment and job analysis information

• Typically match on some important variables• Explore creative job possibilities• Meet with the employer; focus on individual’s

strengths• Emphasize how the employer will benefit• Negotiate a business arrangement• Commit to immediate next steps

Job Training:What Do We Need to Know?

Not: Can this individual do the job independently?

Focus On: Is the training and support effective in teaching this individual to perform the job to the

employer’s standards?

What Do We Do About Those Areas Where There is a Discrepancy?

• Implement job supports and accommodations

• Instructional strategies• Natural supports and cues• Assistive technology• Environmental modifications• Compensatory strategies• Employer negotiations

Job Training

Tools

Fading/Follow Along Support:What Do We Need to Know?

Not: Can this individual stay employed?

Focus On:

What does this individual need to stay employed?

Fading/Follow Along

• Begin the very first day of work• Think about all the supports provided• Promote natural support networks• Use data to make decisions• Be prepared; leave nothing to chance• Be proactive; don’t wait until it happens• Develop an on-going support plan• Monitor and respond

There is an Employment ‘Niche’ for Everyone

• Video

For more information, contact

Wendy Parent-JohnsonUSD Center for DisabilitiesWendy.parentjohnson@usd.edu(605)357-1468

www.usd.edu/cd