Blog Posts

Uncover Opportunities in Business for Young Adults with Disabilities

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the value and potential of young adults with disabilities in the workplace. While there are still many challenges to be addressed, there are also exciting opportunities emerging for these individuals to contribute to the world of business. This article from Job Openings for disABLED Veterans will explore some of how young adults with disabilities can break into the business world and the benefits they can bring to companies that embrace their unique talents and perspectives.

Increased Independence

Business can be an empowering career option for young adults with disabilities, providing independence and flexibility in their lives. By being the captain of one ship, these individuals gain control over their working hours; allowing them to focus on activities that are important or enjoyable. What’s more, running a business from home often saves money on transportation costs associated with disability-related issues.

Low Start Up Costs

When starting a business from home, The Penny Hoarder points out that there are often very few start-up costs involved so this helps keep overhead low. This makes it easier for someone just getting started in the world of entrepreneurship because they don’t have to worry about large investments early on. The low start-up costs also mean that young adults with disabilities don't need large amounts of capital upfront to start.

Flexible Hours

For young adults with disabilities, having a business career provides the opportunity for freedom and flexibility. SHRM notes that they can create their schedules for when to work without always following traditional time frames or having someone constantly looking over them. Plus, businesses may offer remote working options where they can take advantage of job opportunities from home giving them greater independence than ever before.

Opportunity To Invest In A Passion

Starting a business career allows young adults with disabilities to find their passion and become more self-confident. Instead of settling on any job, they can choose one that excites them. Every day is filled with new possibilities. Consequently, these goals bring an increased sense of purpose which bolsters motivation even further.

Why Networking Is A Must and How To Prioritize In-Person Events

Establishing connections is key when starting any type of enterprise. Attending networking events can open up resources and contacts invaluable for building beneficial professional relationships. Wherever possible attend face-to-face meetings instead of virtual ones; chatting over social media platforms could also help build ties but nothing beats speaking directly to someone to get answers right away.

Gaining Control Of Your Career

A business career is a great way for young adults with disabilities to build confidence in their professional development. Setting goals, creating new products and services, managing finances, and marketing strategies are important steps that provide the pathway to future success. With direct responsibility over decisions being made this equality of ownership gives an individual more belief in him or herself knowing only they can make choices without any external forces taking precedence.

Learn New Skills

Achieving your ambitious professional goals offers the potential of unlocking a variety of skills — from bookkeeping and coding to customer service, software development, accounting, and legal compliance. Understanding higher-value services that appeal more directly to customers gives entrepreneurs an edge in their industry while also providing exciting opportunities should they decide to change direction. For example, by earning a master's in data science online you will pick up on the latest concepts in areas such as analytics, data mining, and database management.

Make a Lasting Impression with Custom Business Cards

Creating a custom business card is a great way to market yourself and your business. But not everyone has the design skills to create something professional-looking. Luckily, there are plenty of online templates available to help you create a business card that will make a lasting impression. Simply choose a template that fits your style. Within minutes, you'll have a custom business card that you can hand out to potential clients, collaborators, and colleagues, helping to grow your business and your brand.

Starting a career in business offers many exciting opportunities for young adults with disabilities — independence, low start-up costs, flexible hours, control over professional development, and new skills. All these advantages together make entrepreneurship an ideal choice for anyone looking to create a brighter future for themselves and those around them.

Job Openings for disABLED Veterans reduces the high unemployment rate of individuals and veterans with disabilities. Contact us today to learn more! (760) 420-1269

Becoming a Great Entrepreneur Without an Expensive Degree

With the cost of higher education rising every year, an increasing number of young people are questioning the actual value of a university degree. Instead, they’re looking for advice and guidance on how to make it big in business without being saddled with crippling college debt. So here’s a collection of techniques and resources that can turn young adults into successful entrepreneurs:

Bridge Your Skills Gaps

Young entrepreneurs and small business owners usually have to wear many hats, especially at the launch of their company. Many of them are in charge of production, accounting, marketing, and advertising, and once they start hiring employees, payroll and other administrative tasks. But you don’t need a degree in business administration to own your own company. Look for online resources designed to teach technical or administrative skills to solopreneurs with video tutorials, learning materials, and virtual classes. And think about becoming a member of your local chamber of commerce to meet other small business owners, look for mentors, and gain from their experience.   

Get Familiar With Technology

You don’t need to become a computer wizard to run your own company, but you need to have a good working knowledge of the basics. Having a reliable smartphone will help you take care of business whether you’re at the office or on the go. Besides answering phone calls, you’ll be able to receive and send emails, keep track of your finances, and with the right productivity apps, you can even get a variety of tasks accomplished from the palm of your hand. Invoicing software will help you keep track of your expenses and revenue; paired up with accounting software, you’ll have a clear picture of your financial health, which will assist you in making well-informed business decisions.

Look for Outside Help

With more people striving to achieve greater work-life balance, many have turned to freelancing and are advertising their services on online job posting sites. So if you need help with administrative tasks such as accounting, web design and UX, computer and IT, or you’re looking for a social media manager to help with your branding and grow your customer base, post a detailed ad on an online job board or look for applicants that fit the bill. You’ll get a far better ROI spending money on a professional executing a complex task than spending hours trying to figure it out on your own.

Explore a Career in Interior Design

The field of interior design offers many career opportunities for young entrepreneurs who didn’t go the 4-year-college route. So if you have a deep interest in creating spaces that will enhance people’s lives, consider launching your own venture as an interior designer. Obtaining an internship with an interior design firm can get you through the door and let you explore different options that will lead to a rewarding career. First, get access to an interior designer résumé so you can create your own, focusing on the experience and skills that will make you a great asset as an intern. Even your volunteer work can help you secure a spot if it shows you have tremendous teamwork, leadership, and communication skills, so make sure you add it to your résumé.      

In today’s technology-driven world, a university degree isn’t the be-all and end-all for burgeoning entrepreneurs. And with so many courses offered online, you can get the skills you need to start your own business in your own time. But don’t forget the importance of meeting people in real life as well, and find mentors who will support you, encourage you, and help you reach your goals.

At jofdav.com, we help veterans with disabilities find employment. So come post your résumé and look through our job listings to start on your next career path!

Why Successful Small Businesses Hire Veterans

The above picture is of a soldier sitting in his camouflage uniform in front of a flag.

As a small business owner, you look for certain essential skills and qualities in employees. These typically include a strong work ethic and the ability to be a good team player. Military veterans exemplify these attributes and thrive in almost every industry. That’s why more than 80% of small businesses value veteran employees. Small business owners benefit from supporting vets by providing them with jobs to transition back into civilian life. Job Openings for disABLED veterans is the best place to tap into this valuable talent pool.

Harness Unique Skills and Abilities

Veterans have several skills and characteristics your small business needs. They make highly dedicated employees and have a strong work ethic. Their time in the military has taught them to be organized and reliable team players. Vets are exceptional candidates for roles that require them to lead a team or oversee a project.

As employees, vets have proven to be valuable assets for small businesses thanks to their unique skills. They’re capable of handling highly stressful situations because they were required to perform exceptionally well in tough situations while they were in the service. Moreover, having worked in fast-paced, volatile situations, vets are skilled in communicating effectively with their colleagues, especially in complicated circumstances.

Benefit From Versatility and Nurture Success

Veterans are highly adaptable. They can excel in a wide variety of jobs because they can apply their military skills to civilian jobs. So while a vet whose military specialty code was health care can transition into civilian health care, they can also do well in an IT role, for example, as long as they’ve acquired the relevant additional skills. Vets can also function successfully as financial advisers, information security analysts, management analysts, and more.

When you hire vets, you need to find meaningful and appropriate ways to recognize their contributions and show appreciation for them as you would your other employees. Keep in mind that their career history differs greatly from ordinary workers, so learn what’s important to them and what forms of recognition they’re comfortable with.

Earn Tax Benefits

Another advantage to hiring veterans is the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC), which can benefit both you and the vets you hire. You can earn up to $9,600 of WOTC for each vet. To qualify for this tax credit, submit an application to your state workforce agency for every vet you hire. The WOTC can offset some of your business’s staffing costs.

Create a DBA Name

In addition to hiring veterans, file a DBA (doing business as) name when you start your business. In case you need to sell products or services under a different name, you can use your DBA. Moreover, if the website domain for your first choice of a business name is taken, you can register a domain name using your DBA and use that domain to market your products.

A Win-Win for Small Business Owners and Vets

As a small business owner, you stand to benefit greatly from hiring veterans. In addition to gaining from their various skills and adaptability, you're also eligible for tax credits that can offset your staffing costs. 

Ready to hire? Learn all about job posting at Job Opportunities for Disabled Veterans today! 

Running for Office With a Disability | Factors to Consider

The above picture shows multiple I Voted stickers on a white tabletop. Image from Unsplash

running for office with a disability | Factors to consider

• We’ve seen many in underserved communities such as women, Muslim-Americans, and African American candidates to name a few runs for office. But what about disabled candidates? One in four Americans is disabled, as are one in six voters. Then why are we not seeing significant representation from the disabled community when running for office?
   
  In this article, Job Openings for disABLED Veterans walks you through becoming an advocate for your community so you can get out there and be the change.
   
  Know Your Community
   
  There’s a lot of groundwork that goes into running for office. You’ll want to do lots of research on your county legislation, state rules, and federal policies - but above all, prioritize getting to know your community. You can do this by reading about current issues, researching historical problems in the county, and getting multiple points of view on the same topics.
   
  In addition, consider getting to the grassroots level - volunteer for local organizations, host free community events, and advocate for a cause or fundraiser in Clallam County. The more time you spend with the community, the more you’ll learn of the values and issues that need to be rectified. In addition, making yourself visible to your community will make it easier to be seen as a leader when it’s time to count those votes.
   
  Thoughtfully Craft Your Campaign
   
  After establishing yourself as a leader, you’ll want to start brainstorming your campaign strategy. The most important to-do is to develop a clear message that will win over voters and generate interest. Decide on your personal stance on issues in the community, and formulate your responses and solutions to that problem.
   
  Don’t be afraid to get personal at this stage. Share your story, why you’re running, and similar issues you might have faced in the community. According to the Democratic Audit, voters need to empathize and relate to your background to trust you with their support and loyalty. If you’re comfortable, share your experience and how your disability has challenged you or motivated you to reach this place.
   
  You will also want to ensure that you have foundational elements that will support your run. A well-designed website with pertinent information is critical for voters to learn more about your platform. Another must is setting up a consistent social media presence that caters to all kinds of people within your audience. Hire a speechwriter so that your messaging, communication, and talks have consistent language. A strong voice and brand will make you're run more accessible and understandable to a broader audience.
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• Surround Yourself With the Best
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• You will need an army of qualified and supportive organizers backing you up. A campaign manager will be your main point of contact - the person who helps with day-to-day tasks as well as more comprehensive strategies and planning. They can help everything from making sure a venue is accessible for your disability to political branding and management. Other team members you’ll need to hire include a financial manager, political consultant, and coordinator. In addition, set yourself up with a great group of passionate volunteers to take you further in the game.

   

  In addition to the best people, surround yourself with the best skills. Are there aspects of the campaign that you’d like to understand better? Watch online videos or speak to other politicians who have been through the same experiences. If you want to boost your personal and professional skillset, go back to school; for example, if you want to get your doctorate, online universities can help you achieve that goal with flexible schedules and affordable classes. And who knows? Going back to school may help inspire others in your community to do the same.

   

  Running for office is an excellent way to bring about change within your community and beyond. While people with disabilities often feel intimidated at the thought of handling an entire campaign, never fear. Implement these tips to navigate your time in politics and give voice to underrepresented groups across the country.

   

  Job Openings for disABLED Veterans provides job listings and resources to help veterans learn marketable skills. Click here to learn more about us.

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Home Ownership for Veterans

Photo by Benjamin Faust on Unsplash. The above picture is of a person's feet in suede shoes, with a backpack and an American Flag.

Homeownership is a huge part of the American dream. Realizing that dream can be an overwhelming experience for anyone. From prospecting to finding an agent to getting your finances ready to planning for the move, it’s difficult to know where to begin. For disabled veterans, the process is uniquely challenging. Transitioning into civilian life is hard enough without the added hustle of finding and financing a home.

Fortunately, there are mechanisms and resources put in place to make home buying easy and painless for veterans. With the right information about veteran benefits like down payment assistance, reduced interest rates, property-tax relief, and discounted homeowners’ insurance, purchasing and owning a home can be a breeze. This guide from the Job Openings for disABLED Veterans highlights the important aspects of home buying for veterans to help you make one of the biggest decisions of your life. 

Considerations to Make When Buying a Home 

There are many considerations to mull over when buying a house. It’s easy to get sidetracked by the nitty-gritty and forget to prioritize what is important to you and your family. Following the four steps outlined below should help you stay true to your priorities and make a sound investment:

1. Get your finances in order

Buying a house is expensive. Costs include inspection, appraisal, down payment, and closing fees. Before you even consider this commitment, you need to get your finances in order. The first step is cleaning up your credit report. Qualifying for a mortgage and getting a good deal on it hinges on your credit score. Lenders have different measures for what they consider an acceptable credit score but paying your bills on time helps.   

2. Find the right home loan

Veterans have the advantage of qualifying for a VA loan. A VA loan is a mortgage issued by private lenders with the backing of the Department of Veteran Affairs.

VA loans allow veterans to purchase a home with no down payment. Since the upfront funding fee can be rolled into the loan, veterans could potentially finance 100% of their homes with a VA loan. Additional benefits of VA loans include:

-          Low interest rates

-          Ease of refinance

-          No private mortgage insurance requirement

-          Low closing cost

-          Low credit score is accepted

-          Higher debt-to-income ratio is accepted

3. Search for your dream home

Finding the right home takes time. There are numerous factors to consider if you are to make an informed decision. Do you want to live in a suburb, city, or remote location? What is the ideal home size for you? Which amenities do you want nearby? What is the cost of living for your preferred areas? 

The average homebuyer visits up to 15 different houses before choosing one. You should take your time considering it is a huge life decision. Find a good real estate agent. Take enough photographs of the houses you like and feel free to go back for a second look.

Affordability is a key consideration when choosing your dream home. Make your calculations to find out if you can afford a mortgage. Ideally, your mortgage should be 28 percent of your gross monthly income. Note that mortgage is inclusive of homeowners insurance and property tax. Your total monthly debt payments should also not exceed 36 percent of your pretax income.  

4. Mortgage Closing

Closing is the final step when purchasing a house. It is at this stage that you receive the keys to your new home after signing all the proper paperwork in the presence of various legal representatives. Your lender should send you a closing disclosure before the closing day. The disclosure features the loan terms and outstanding closing costs.

Closing costs include loan fees, commissions, title charges, and transfer fees. You can negotiate these costs throughout the mortgage process with options ranging from applying for assistance programs to rolling over the costs into your loan.  

5. Hire Movers

Last but certainly not least, make sure you connect with professional movers, who can help make the transition from your old home to your new one a little easier. Use sites like Angi to find “top movers near me” to locate local movers with good reviews.

Finally

Buying a home is a huge part of transitioning smoothly back into civilian life. It is also a major financial commitment. Take your time to find the right home that you can afford and consider a favorable financing option.