Career advice for students with additional needs

Creating an excellent CV (Curriculum Vitae) is one of the most important first steps toward landing a job. It is your opportunity to present yourself and highlight your skills to potential employers. You can go onto Solent Careers Online (Career Set) for detailed CV support and checks but at a minimum, remember that it should include:

• Personal details: name, email, telephone, and LinkedIn (but only if up to date).

• Personal profile.

• Education/qualifications.

• Career history, work experience and volunteering.

• Skills.

• Achievements and interests.

• Consider where to mention your disability.

Tips!

• Keep it simple.

• Use positive language.

• Do not give false information.

• Do not include your date of birth.

• If you are posting your CV online, do not include your address.

Please note that some employers may also ask for a cover letter.

CV top tips and access CV templates.

Solent Careers CV and application guide

When writing your application or a personal statement, highlight your strengths and skills relevant to the role. Focus on what you can do and the experiences you bring and try connecting with inclusive employers who value and support diversity.

If you feel comfortable to mention your disability, you can frame it as something that’s helped you build resilience and a unique way of seeing things. Remember, it’s optional to share that information and a disabled person is entitled to ask for support under the Equality Act 2010. By disclosing your disability, it will allow the employers to provide support such as:

• Offering alternative formats (e.g. Word documents, verbal, or video submissions).

• Allowing extra time or breaks in assessments.

• Providing questions in advance for interviews.

• Offering quiet or sensory-friendly, or wheelchair interview spaces.

Deciding whether to share your disability information with an employer.

Please note that you can ask the employer for what you need, and do not worry about the cost. If your employer is limited on resources and limited on the adjustments that they provide, speak to them about the Access to Work fund and request help for completing the forms.

Students with disabilities may sometimes find it challenging to find work due to their additional needs. However, accessing the right information and support can make this process easier and successful through accessing the right advice and disability-friendly jobs board.

Exploring Disability Confident employers could be a good starting point. Other websites such as Blind in Business and the ABL Foundation also have great work opportunities that you might want to browse. Check out Change 100 and Bright Network for paid summer internships, professional development and mentoring opportunities.

Top tips!

• Start preparing your application (see section 1 and 2 above on CVs and applications).

• Visit the job searching page for general advice on finding work and explore additional list of job websites and employers including part-time jobs.

• Seek support from the Solent Careers team. Come along to the Careers drop-in service in the Student Hub (TS114), The Spark building Monday to Friday 12-2pm, no appointment needed. Bookable appointments on Solent Careers Online

Interviews should be celebrated! Your application has caught the employer’s attention and now they want to meet you. The interview is their chance to decide if you are the right fit - and your chance to see if the role and company are right for you. Here are a few steps to help you prepare and make a great impression:

• Check the interview format and location. Interviews can be physical or online. If online, check that you have the right IT equipment and if in person, check the address and plan how you will get there.

• Request and discuss reasonable adjustments. It is your responsibility to inform the employer. Be specific on what additional support you may need. What can an employer do to make the process work for you?

• Answering common interview questions confidently

• Focus on your skills: Highlight your skills, experience, and achievements. Your disability should not be the central focus.

• Handle questions about disability professionally and positively.

If you have a job interview coming up and need support preparing for it, you can contact the Solent Careers team at careers@solent.ac.uk and request a mock interview appointment.

Useful resources

• Solent Careers: One-to-one confidential careers guidance.

• Solent University disability support: Disability and neurodiversity advice service for students.

• My Plus Club: Helping students with disabilities land their dream job accessing disability guides, jobs and exploring disability confidence employers!

• Access to Work: Helps you get or stay in work if you have a physical or mental health condition or disability.

• Evenbreak - talent first: Job board for disabled candidates.

• Neurodivergent jobs website: Jobs board for neurodiverse candidates with jobs search with inclusive employers.

• Student Assistance Programme: A confidential resource designed to help you deal with personal and professional problems that could be affecting your home or student life, health or general wellbeing.