Job development is conducted by making employer contacts to learn about the employer community. To build knowledge about employer needs, employment specialists make at least six face-to-face contacts with hiring personnel. Job development is usually carried out with or in support of a particular person.
Employment specialists develop a job search plan using information from the Career Profile, which identifies the person’s interests, work values, and employment goals. The individual and their employment specialist create a list of employers to meet with. The employment specialist might meet with employers on behalf of the individual or together with the individual, depending on the person’s disclosure preference. The information learned about the employer is then used to help the individual make an informed decision about whether to apply for a position with the employer.
Employment specialists establish employer relationships aimed at creating a good job match based on individual preferences and needs (e.g., experience, ability, symptomology, health), rather than relying solely on the job market. Employment specialists build relationships through multiple in-person visits that are planned to learn about the needs of the employer, convey what IPS can offer the employer, and describe the individual’s strengths that are a good match for the employer if the person is open to disclosure. It is recommended that each employment specialist keep a list of employers (20-25) whom they visit every six to eight weeks. Employers may have been initially contacted on behalf of a specific individual. However, the employment specialist may still stay in contact even though the original client is no longer the reason for the contact.
Employment specialists use a weekly tracking form to document their contacts with employers. An employer contact is counted even when an employment specialist meets the same employer in the same week, and whether the individual served is present or not. Employer contacts are reviewed weekly by the IPS team lead to ensure that employment specialists are making six employer contacts a week and that contacts are based upon the individual’s preferences.
Download a Employee Contact Log here.
