My Nonprofit Reviews

I became familiar with OAR through their website at HireAutism.org.

Job searching can be a daunting task for anyone, but even more so for those of us who struggle with neurodivergence. When I found myself searching for a new job several months ago, I was becoming frustrated with my lack of prospects and progress despite my wealth of experience and hard work ethic. I thought I had all the tools I needed to secure a good job, but I wasn’t getting the results I wanted.

I did a quick internet search, intending to find companies “hiring people with autism”, and that’s how I found HireAutism.org. Shortly after signing up and starting to input my information into the website, a HireAutism associate named Courtney reached out to me. She welcomed me to the site and informed me of what ended up being my most valuable resource in my new job search: the free consultation of a “Job Search Navigator”.

Courtney put me in touch with Brigit the Navigator. Brigit helped me fix up my resume - which I learned was outdated for the way current online applications are typically processed! No wonder I was struggling so much before. She taught me how to tailor my resume for specific jobs and how to write a cover letter that really gets you noticed. She helped me practice interview questions, which is something I will definitely continue to do moving forward. Brigit also helped me look for jobs that were relevant to my interests, skills, and particular limitations in the workplace. I honestly never knew before this that I could ask employers for accommodations for some of the things I struggle with - Brigit helped me learn how to approach that topic with employers and what accommodations might be helpful for my particular case.

On top of all of that, Brigit herself made a strong effort to understand my needs and struggles throughout the process. She understood when things were difficult for me, and offered only support and encouragement the whole time. She never pushed too hard, but she still pushed me hard enough to help me achieve results. She helped me build up my confidence and learn to emphasize my skills while still asking for the accommodations I need.

While I haven’t yet found my ideal job, I’m far happier with the jobs I have now than I have had in the past, and I feel extremely well-prepared to continue my job search. Brigit’s guidance has provided me with a roadmap through this confusing process and I feel ready to push forward with more confidence and less anxiety than ever. I am so grateful to Courtney and Brigit and all of HireAutism for providing this amazing, excellent free resource, and for all of their support and encouragement.

I would highly recommend the HireAustim site to anyone who feels a little lost or needs a little bit of help with their job search process, and I feel very confident that the other resources provided by OAR are of the same caliber.