Editor’s note: To learn more about how to increase employment opportunities with LinkedIn as a person who is blind or low vision, watch NRTC and NSITE’s 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 you’re ready to create a LinkedIn account, or you have a LinkedIn account with an underdeveloped profile and connections.
First, you will 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 ConnectCenter: Complete every [that’s 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, “invite” 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 (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, “Can you perform the essential job functions without sight?”
- You can discuss career-related topics with other professionals within a LinkedIn interest group. You’ll strengthen your social network as you learn from one another in your chosen career.
- You can browse careers in various career fields and workplaces.
- You can learn the 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 with others who would benefit from each other, leave positive feedback and recommendations for others, and endorse the skills of others—which is the secret to unlocking the potential of your social network!
Now get to preparing that profile! Don’t wait LinkedIn is an incredible tool for today’s job seekers!
Want to learn more about how to get the best out of LinkedIn?
Below is a webinar with NRTC and NSITE discussing how people with vision loss can increase employment opportunities by linking up with LinkedIn.
Click here for a PDF step-by-step.
Click here for a video presentation on how to make the most out of LinkedIn.